4.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,119 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 GMC Canyon drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2017 GMC Canyon Owner Comments

problem #15

Jul 152022

Canyon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After 5 years and 2 months of ownership of this vehicle, at ~52,000 miles it began to develop a shudder in the driveline, that I originally ascribed to an imbalanced rear wheel. After checking the rear wheels for balance, that cause was ruled out. I took the vehicle back to the GMC dealer where I had purchased it new. They claimed that the cause of the problem was a defective transmission fluid that somehow became contaminated with water. They offered to flush the entire transmission and install new 100% synthetic transmission fluid for a cost of $770. When I complained about a vehicle with 52,000 miles developing transmission problems the dealer consulted with GMC, and then agreed to flush and replace the allegedly defective fluid without cost. Upon further investigation, it appears as though the origin of the issue is not due to the nature of the fluid, but rather the use of an undersized torque convertor in this 8-speed transmission, which began in the 2017 model year. The smaller size and inadequacy of this torque convertor design is the root cause of this shudder, which not only has presented itself in the 2017 GMC, but also in corresponding GMC/Chevrolet models using the same transmission. The danger of a transmission failure can have catastrophic safety consequences for the driver, passengers as well as the motoring public, not to mention a very large transmission replacement charge for the owner. There is currently a Class Action lawsuit in the State of California for this notorious "Chevy Shake."

- Sebago, ME, USA

problem #14

Jan 092022

Canyon 4-cyl Diesel

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed; instead the vehicle would jerk forward. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer had been informed by the dealer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

- Birch Tree, MO, USA

problem #13

Aug 202021

Canyon

  • miles
At highway cruising speed I am experiencing a shake or a shutter coming from the transmission.

- Willmar, MN, USA

problem #12

Nov 042020

Canyon

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear differential is beginning to made a noise while moving down the road, you cannot hear it from the inside the vehicle, you need to be on the outside while the vehicle is in motion.

- Waianae, HI, USA

problem #11

Sep 022019

Canyon

  • 18,000 miles
Truck stalls as if in neutral after starting. Unfortunately, I have to let this truck run for T least 10 minutes or more before I can take off. If I start the truck and put it in drive any sooner, truck won't move. Actually, it runs then send to slam (very hard jerk) into drive, studders, then functions normal. I took it back to dealer and they say there has been multiple complaints about these trucks. I also was told GM put a statement out about these complaints and said there is nothing they can do to fix, in so many words. Dealer say it will go away. I've had this vehicle since July 4 2019 and still happening almost everyday.

- Henrico, VA, USA

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problem #10

Feb 252020

Canyon

  • 155,994 miles
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving downhill, there was a loud revving sound coming from the transmission. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,994.

- Barboursville, WV, USA

problem #9

Feb 042020

Canyon

  • 27,606 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission experiences torque convertor shudder. With very hard shifts at 5 and 18 mph. Dealer complied with bulletin 18-na-355. Had improvement in shift for a while. Then hard shift return at 5 and 18 mph. During decelerations there would be a shudder. When using cruise control when reducing speed transmission would shudder. Return to dealer, when oil pan was removed found aluminum chips and one metal chip. Dealer replace with remanufactured transmission. Drove vehicle home. Then went out and drove the vehicle upon exiting drive way experience torque convertor slippage at around 12 mph with engine RPM going from 2000 to 4000. Continued to drive vehicle once torque convertor reengaged. Continued driving made couple of short trips in traffic continue to experience banging in drive train. I believe this vehicle puts my safety at risk

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #8

Oct 282019

Canyon

  • 20,000 miles
This is 2nd $40,000 Canyon I've been taken for! 1st was 2016, and transmission would take off after flooring it, as it would just 'lay down' and scared the wife so much, and wouldn't drive it! had to repurchase an 2017, with the 8 spd trans, and even worse! it shakes and shudders even after fluid flush, then new torque converter! then was told, there's nothing more GM can do for you!"? really? now GM is not responding to multiple calls! $43,000 truck really" never again, these vehicles should not be on the road! was promised to have this resolved this afternoon,10-28-19, and once again no return calls! will seek real council in am, as GM resolution is a joke! don't waste your time, go strait to qualified firm.

- Etna, NH, USA

problem #7

Jul 012019

Canyon 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Canyon. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and vibrated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Afterwards, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. The vehicle was taken to key Chevrolet (32 key auto dr, white river jct, vt) where the transmission was flushed and the torque converter was replaced, but the failures continued. The contact stated that after two repaired when pulling ut into traffic still hesitate and shakes. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided case number: [xxx]. the failure mileage was 28,000. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Etna, NH, USA

problem #6

Jan 312019

Canyon

  • 14,500 miles
2017 GMC Canyon equipped with diesel engine will sporadically shut-off while operating when driving with a tank that is less than 1/4 full. On 1/31/19 (odometer ~14200 miles) vehicle was driving fine with an ambient air temperature of roughly 0F, fuel tank at 1/3, when all of sudden the engine died in traffic with no warning. Vehicle then needed to be towed to the dealership for service at which point they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Again on 3/4/19 (odometer ~15100 miles) vehicle was driving fine when the dash lit up with multiple codes and truck went into reduced power mode, ambient air temperature 10F gas tank at 1/8th. Got out of truck and it smelled like it was on fire. Called to have vehicle towed to dealership. Vehicle kept for multiple days at dealership, dealer worked with GM to identify an issue and no fix was found. Dealer called to instruct me to not drive the vehicle with less than 1/4 tank during winter and also mentioned that this has been an issue with a few other Canyon and terrain diesel models. GM needs to find a fix for this! it is totally unsafe and unacceptable to have a truck that will unexpectedly loose total power when driving due to a design flaw in their systems.

- Shorewood, WI, USA

problem #5

Jun 042018

Canyon

  • 16,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Torque converter fails at 12000 miles for many. There is a GMC notice out since 2016. Mine failed at 16000 miles and the one they replaced will likely fail again in another 16K miles. This is bad. I noticed it when I pressed on the accelerator and as I increased speed up to 45 mph. It rattled and rocked badly. The GMC repairman said, "yeap.....ever since 2016 all these [xxx] torque converters have been failing in the Canyons and colorados because GM and Chevy changed the size and strength of the metal used in order to reduce the weight of trhe vehicle. We will replace it, but I can assure you it will fail again and you'll have to bring it back to use for change out again." Wow....what a bunch of crap. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 122018

Canyon

  • 16,000 miles
Transmission began shifting hard. Before long whole truck rattled when shifting. Almost a grinding sound. Chevy diagnosed torque converter has gone bad. Back ordered for 2 weeks.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Oct 172017

Canyon 6-cyl

  • miles
2017 GMC Canyon. Consumer writes in regards to transmission issue. The consumer stated the dealer initially could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was later left with the dealer to attempt to duplicate the failure. The power steering, traction control, and stability messages appeared.

- Ponca City, OK, USA

problem #2

Nov 202017

Canyon

  • miles
The GMC 2017 Canyon vibrates at highway speed 60mph to 70mph. The 2nd day after I bought it took it on long trip found it had vibration problems. After taking it to the dealership for tire balance twice replaced front wheel bearing then transmission flush. Then after transmission flush had vibration between 40-45 they said it was normal that there was nothing else they could do. Due to vibrations over time this concerns me. For being stranded or worse causing an accident from something coming loose. I`ve already had to tighten up my spare tire. I bought this pickup for long trips since I`ve retired. Like the one my wife and I are going on in June of this year. I also feel if there going to sell crap like this they need to put the vibration issues on the accessory `list so buyers will have the option whether to buy or not. I would have not bought a $40,000 vibrator!!!

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #1

Feb 122017

Canyon

  • 1,680 miles
2/12/2017 7:30am stoped @ 4 way stop, started across transmission went into neutral, left me stuck in road, could not get transmission to engage in drive or reverse, had to push out of road, tried several min to engage transmission failed, called aaa to toe back to dealer. Dealer kept 2 1/2 days said could not find a problem.

- Perry, FL, USA

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