2016 GMC Canyon electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 30, 2026MSElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the infotainment system and screen display became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint #11747456 · source
2. Filed Jun 20, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteering

   Power steering and StabiliTrack warning pops-up randomly and cuts off power steering assistance while I'm driving on the highway or on country roads. The power steering is very hard to maneuver. However, when it's safe to do so, I have to pull over on a safe place and have to restart my truck twice, in order to regain power steering. I have taken it to an independent mechanic and to a Chevy dealership on Merced. The dealership service tech informed me that in order to…

   NHTSA complaint #11745386 · source
3. Filed May 9, 2026SCElectrical SystemSteering

   The power steering and Stabilitrak systems intermittently fail while the vehicle is in operation. The issue occurs unpredictably, both immediately after startup and while driving. On several occasions, the systems have failed during turns, requiring sudden corrective action and increased steering effort to maintain control and avoid veering off the road or colliding with nearby vehicles. No warning signs or noticeable symptoms are present prior to the failure occurring.

   NHTSA complaint #11736748 · source
4. Filed Oct 21, 2025TNElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   At random the power steering and traction control turn off making it difficult to drive.. This happens randomly and has become unable to steer. Once the vehicle is turned off for a period of time you can start it up and the steering returns. The issue was reported in the 2015 models. That recall needs to extend into the 2016 models since most of the parts were most likely manufactured tot eh same specs as the 2015. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent repair shop. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11694867 · source
5. Filed Sep 29, 2025105,000 miPAElectrical SystemSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that the headlights failed to activate automatically. Additionally, one of the phone charger ports had become inoperable. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A message advising that the power steering was inoperable and to drive carefully was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11690384 · source
6. Filed Aug 14, 2025FLElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission has been shuddering since 15,000 miles till now. Dealerships says it's normal on these transmissions, 6 fluid and filter changes and now at 72,000 miles the transmission is failing just outside of warranty. They scammed me and kept my transmission barely alive until warranty ran out and now they want 8k-10k for a replacement. They knew. Dash goes crazy from the touch screen to the digital information screen in the speedometer. They say it's normal and happens on…

   NHTSA complaint #11680750 · source
7. Filed May 2, 2025TXElectrical SystemSteering

   While driving the power steering went out making the vehicle difficult to control. Once I stopped the vehicle and turned it off then back on, the power steering came back on leading me to believe an electrical issue is the cause

   NHTSA complaint #11658421 · source
8. Filed Mar 29, 2025VAElectrical SystemSteering

   The vehicle will lose power steering while driving. The lights come on for stabilitrak and traction control then it says power steering is gone. It randomly deactivates the power steering, while driving. It's extremely dangerous and have almost had accidents. They are telling me that it may not be under a recall. If gmc used the same steering box as the previous model year, the same issue is occurring. Intermittent power steering failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11651476 · source
9. Filed Jan 5, 2025OHElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   I am the owner of a 2016 GMC Canyon truck, which i purchased used in approx 2020 with about 43,000 miles on it...today's date is now 1/5/25 and the truck has approx 99,0000 mile on it. Over the last 2 years the electronic stability control has failed approx 20 times. A warning light appears on the dash stating the failure of the power steering and the stabilitrac. When this happens steering the truck and be extremely difficult and I am forced to pull off the road. Usually…

   NHTSA complaint #11634218 · source
10. Filed Jul 30, 202450,000 miMSElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2016 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that after arriving to his destination, he became aware that the ignition switch would not release the key. After restarting the vehicle and then turning the vehicle off, the contact was able to remove the key, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of…

    NHTSA complaint #11605489 · source
11. Filed Jul 29, 2024CAFireElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    On [XXX] at approximately 5:30p, I was driving normal highway speed when I saw what I thought was exhaust trailing behind. There were NO dash warning lights, engine temperature showing normal range, car was performing normally. I pulled over to shoulder, turned off car, released the hood latch. My husband tried to open hood but it was too hot. We then realized it was smoke coming from under hood, not exhaust. Smoke began to come inside car through vents. I quickly exited the…

    NHTSA complaint #11605155 · source
12. Filed Jun 16, 2024MDElectrical SystemSteering

    Received a stabilitrck error and lost power steering and traction control while driving. This appears to be a common and dangerous issue with this model vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint #11594644 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology