2020 GMC Canyon Problems

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Premium Report

Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated upon depressing the brake pedal and turning the key in the ignition switch to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to turn to the OFF position and remained stuck. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon turning the key back to the ON position and moving the gear shifter several times, the contact was able to turn off the vehicle successfully. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring, and on several occasions, the key could not be released and was left in the ignition switch. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Jan 29, 2025

Infotainment center Reboots if phone is plug in. Radio station becomes very loud and driver is unable to control volume. Driver is now distracted from driving and trying to repair problem. Bad situation when in traffic.

Oct 12, 2022

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking garage, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The contact's son used excessive force to depress the brake pedal, and an unknown warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, which caused the end of the cam shaft to fracture. The contact called several dealers and was informed that the cam shaft was on backorder. The contact stated that one of the dealers stated that the failure was a common issue resulting in the part being on backorder. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact was informed that only the NHTSA could place a recall on the vehicle. The cam shaft and vacuum pump had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Oct 16, 2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

1 complaint

See attached document for complaint

Mar 13, 2024

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

The contact owned a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the vehicle was switching lanes abruptly, and did not have enough time to slow down or stop. No warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a yard by the police department. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back, arm, neck, fractured ribs, lung, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Jan 08, 2024

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

The wiring in most vehicles 2020 and newer are soy/ nut based product… which squirrels, rodents and other animals can’t resist and the wiring throughout the vehicle is being chewed this all makes all models all manufacturers… there is also problems with the 8 speed transmission that shutters and hard gear changing and the quick fix is to flush out and refill it with transmission fluid

Dec 11, 2023

STEERING

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power steering module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,432.

Apr 21, 2023

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

When rolling to stop signs or red lights, the vehicle occasionally fails to downshift properly and will attempt to continue pushing the vehicle when trying to stop. On multiple occasions, the vehicle acts as if it cannot be stopped due to the transmission failing to downshift. One must aggressively apply the brakes to get the vehicle to come to a stop. Unable to have the vehicle checked out at a local dealer, due to being backed up for weeks when trying to have it looked at. No visual indication/warning is given when this happens. There is a current class action lawsuit for models up to 2019, but this needs to be extended to 2020 models as well, as multiple online forums discuss this issue being prevalent in newer models of the 8-speed transmission.

Jan 05, 2022

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2020 CANYON SLE THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2020. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 20,000 MILE ON IT CURRENTLY. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A "LAG" ON ACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THIS FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T DOWN SHIFTING ALL THE WAY. AT TIME WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE TRUCK WILL ACT AS IT IS IN A HIGH GEAR THEN SUDDENLY SLAM INTO A FIRST GEAR. I HAVE TAKE MY TRUCK TO JESSUP GMC IN PALM SPRINGS AND THEY SAY THE TECH CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE THE 2015-1019 MODELS HAVE IN REFERENCE TO BULLETIN: 18-NA-355 DATED AUGUST 2019

Jan 07, 2021

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

I'M THE OWNER OF A NEWLY BOUGHT (6/5/2020 PURCHASED DATE) 2020 GMC CANYON. I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OR ACCELERATING. MY MOST COMMON ISSUE IS 'SHUDDERING' WHEN THE TRUCK ACCELERATES AND SUDDEN 'JERKING' WHEN DOWNSHIFTING GEARS WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE OR EVEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2020 CANYONS AND UNLESS IT READS A 'CODE' THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. GM SAID TELL THE CUSTOMER TO DRIVE IT AND WE WILL CALL IF WE GET ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN JERKING AND TRANSMISSION & OR ENGINE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE THE RPMS REVED UP TO OVER 4500 RPMS AND I WAS STUCK OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A LANE AND COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. I HAD CARS AVOIDING ME SO THAT WAY THEY WOULD NOT HIT ME HEAD ON OR ON THE SIDE OF MY TRUCK. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THE ISSUE IS GM KNOWS ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WITH THEIR 2015- 2019 COLORADO AND CANNON SERIES. DESPITE MANY COMPLAINTS AND NUMEROUS LAWSUITS ABOUT THESE SERIOUS ISSUES, THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DEFECTS FOR THESE VEHICLES WITHIN GM FOR THE 2020 CANON. I HAVE PAID ALMOST $50,000 FOR A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD HAVE A LEMON LAW PUT ON IT BECAUSE GM KNOWS THEY ARE PRODUCING BAD TRANSMISSION/ENGINES AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ASKED GM CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN I'M IN ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO GET IN GEAR AND IS SHAKING AND SHUTTERING AND JERKING AND REVVING UP THE RPMS AND THE NEXT TIME. I SAID I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE SO LUCKY AS TO HAVING PEOPLE AVOID ME AND THEN ME AND MY DAUGHTER WIND UP IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND WE DON'T MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.

Oct 03, 2020

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FEATURE FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS STOP IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE OR SLOWING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATES GMC BUICK NISSAN (143 BOSTON POST RD, NORTH WINDHAM, CT 06256, WHERE A ROAD TESTING WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

Aug 21, 2020

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

2020 GMC CANYON WITH 774 MILES SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25 MPH. THE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION CAUSED MELTING OF ADJACENT COMPONENTS. AS IT WAS HAPPENING, THE DASHBOARD SHOWED A "BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE" MESSAGE FOLLOWED BY A "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM." THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER. THE PROBLEM APPEARS SIMILAR TO RECALL N192273510 FOR THE GMC SIERRA.*DT*JB *TR

May 26, 2020

4.7/5.0

74 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2020 GMC Canyon have?

The 2020 GMC Canyon currently has 12 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2020 GMC Canyon?

The most common problems reported for the 2020 GMC Canyon are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2020 GMC Canyon problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2020 GMC Canyon comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.