Here Are The GMC Canyon Years To Avoid
If you’re looking for a reliable and attractive pickup truck, especially if you’re looking for power combined with a relatively comfortable cabin, you might be considering a GMC Canyon. Big, boxy, available in a range of colors and trim levels, Canyons are fairly popular and get good consumer and reviewer ratings. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some GMC Canyon years to avoid.
We’ve researched the different model years of the Canyon, put together the years that work best and the years to avoid, as well as which models work best as used vehicles.
We’ll also put together the most common problems, how serious they are, and any other information consumers need to help choose between different models of the GMC Canyon.
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GMC Canyon Years You Should Avoid
The GMC Canyon, like a lot of popular pickup trucks, has been in production for quite a while. That means that there are a lot of GMC Canyon years to avoid, not because the trucks aren’t reliable, but because this truck has had more redesigns than a newer release, and redesigns often invite more problems until the issues can be worked out with subsequent releases.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE GMC CANYON
It’s tricky to narrow down the best years in dependability - which is where we step in. Read on to learn about the most reliable GMC Canyon year, the least reliable selection, frequent troubles, and anything else you should know.
Here’s a quick list of the GMC Canyon years to avoid:
- 2004
- 2005
- 2007
- 2008
- 2010
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
Some of these years are worse than others, and the 2007 and 2008 model years barely made the list. If you need to get an older GMC Canyon, both a 2007 and 2008 might be a reasonable option despite their problems.
Overall, in terms of cost of repair, the severity of problems, and when the problems start happening, the 2015 and 2016 models perform worst even among the GMC Canyon years to avoid.
Of the models older than 2010, all have a higher rate of complaints than the 2013 or 2014 releases or the most recent releases. However, none of them have the same rate of problems as the 2015 and 2016 models.
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Common Problems With The GMC Canyon
Just knowing which GMC Canyon years to avoid isn’t always enough. You should also know what the problems are so you can decide whether or not you want to deal with these specific issues.
Here are some of the most common problems with the GMC Canyon:
Not Shifting Properly
The most common problem with the GMC Canyon, particularly the 2015 model, is with the transmission. The shifting problems can be many and varied, but the most common issue is shifting hard or not getting into gear quickly.
Both of those problems can be a sign that the transmission needs repair or replacement, but unfortunately, the transmission can be one of the most expensive parts, which causes serious issues for owners.
This problem also happens relatively early in the GMC Canyon’s life, while the mileage is still relatively low. Even just replacing the transmission doesn’t always fix the problem in the long term since the replacement transmission may have the same problem.
Torque Converter Not Working
The torque converter failing is another common problem and can also happen in conjunction with the shifting issues.
Usually, the main symptom of a torque converter failure is that the vehicle starts shuddering, even at low speeds. The vibration can be mild or severe, but it will usually get more severe with time.
The longer you go without resolving this problem, the more likely you are to have issues with the power steering. One of the problems with the 2015 GMC Canyon is the fact that the power steering has its own issues as well, not just the torque converter.
Unfortunately, the other problem is that the torque converter will usually need to be replaced. It can’t really be repaired once it’s started to go bad.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
Intermittent Power Steering
The power steering also has a range of problems, which can make it intermittent or cause it to go out entirely. In the second case, there isn’t always a lot of warning, which can mean that the power steering goes out while you’re still driving, which can be a serious safety hazard.
This problem is relatively rare and, like most of the problems on this list, most common with the 2015 model. However, it’s a significant problem and not one that can always be predicted.
Electrical Problems
In addition to the other more serious problems, the GMC Canyon is also known to have a few different electrical problems. The most common issue is the battery dying or wearing through the batteries a little prematurely. However, there have been some rare reports of the GMC Canyon catching fire and other reports of electrical loss while driving or the power locks randomly turning on and off.
All of these issues can be safety problems, but they’re also all relatively rare and less likely to happen than the other issues we’ve mentioned with the GMC Canyon.
Reliable GMC Canyon Model Years
Looking for a reliable GMC Canyon isn’t too difficult. There are quite a few GMC Canyon years to avoid, but there are even more reliable GMC Canyon years.
Here’s a quick list of the reliable GMC Canyon years and the years you’re least likely to have serious problems from your Canyon:
- 2009
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
The most recent two releases and the 2014 and 2013 models are roughly tied in terms of performance. All four models do incredibly well with consumers and reviewers alike and have very low rates of complaints and other problems.
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However, of all the most reliable years, the 2013 and 2014 are probably the best overall. That’s partially because the 2020 and 2021 haven’t been as thoroughly consumer tested, while the 2014 and 2013 models are both old enough that many consumers have had a chance to put extensive miles on them.
Which GMC Canyon Models Are Good Used Vehicles?
If you’re looking for good used vehicles, the 2013 and 2014 models are the obvious choices for a reliable used Canyon. However, 2009, 2012, and both the 2020 and 2021 models are good options. Unfortunately, the 2020 and 2021 models aren’t as widely available used, so it may take a few years before it’s possible to get those model years.
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