Skip to content
EnginePart report

2018 GMC Canyon Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
11%of 53 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2018 GMC Canyon, 11% of the 53 complaints for this model year.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2018 GMC Canyon just underwent repairs due to a crack in the head gasket. A serious issue which resulted in having to take said GMC Canyon to a mechanic before further damage to the engine could be suffered. My truck only had a measly 76,000 miles. Definitely, something GMC should take a look into. I however was fortunate enough to notice abnormal loss in the coolant reservoir before suffering excessive overheating or potentially an engine fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11630755, filed 2024-12

“2 weeks ago I was driving on the highway doing 65 mile per hour and suddenly my truck started shaking and. Suddenly completely shut down lost power brakes stiffed and steering wheel as well. I safely pulled over to try to restart the vehicle and on my dash board light came on engine, TCM light and a light with a little car with hash marks called dealer the technician said it was a ecm. Problem and that am looking at a price of 7,000 dollars which is not in my budget reaching out to see if is maybe a manufacturing issue”

NHTSA complaint #11567597, filed 2024-01

“I was traveling on a two lane highway, a semi in front of me and a truck behind me. A warning message popped up on my dash “Service Emissions System- 65 mi before 65mph max speed”. And within 5 seconds of that message popping up, the engine detuned itself. I pulled over as quick as I could, but I only made it partially out of the road before the engine shut down completely. I couldn’t start the vehicle again to get it the rest of the way out of the road. I was 40 miles from the nearest town on a Sunday. …”

NHTSA complaint #11548755, filed 2023-10

“At age 4 years and mileage 40,000 the engine oil coolant lines failed, causing a loss of oil. Because of the location of these lines in front of and above the front axle, the potential for oil contamination of the tire running surfaces and the brake rotor existed. Fortunately, we did not drive it any distance and were extremely cautious. In looking at the parts, which we have replaced, they show much more corrosive damage than I would have expected for the trucks age. A cursory search online revealed that this is not an uncommon problem for the gm Canyon/Colorado lines.”

NHTSA complaint #11484066, filed 2022-09

“Transmission slipped almost from start. Took three appointments and two years - If my shop foreman knew the third time, why did he not call and tell me we now know your problem. I finally got fed up and brought it in one more time. Starter from day ONE maybe 50% of time made loud bang when Bendix retracted. Shop refused to take it off!!! I checked ball joint boots. One feels like no grease in it. They 'LOOKED' at it. No answer and nothing was done. Has had 'lifter noise' since new when small acceleration. Noise rate accelerates till shift and then repeats. I'm told they don't hear anything. …”

NHTSA complaint #11445813, filed 2022-01

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025113%
2024147%
20231016%
202227%
2020321%
2019318%
2018611%
20171421%
2016228%
2015134%
201214%
2011325%
2009311%
20081437%
2007512%
2006613%
200554%

Other parts of the 2018 GMC Canyon

Transmission and drivetrain
27 complaints
Electrical system
10 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 GMC Canyon

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology