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GMC CanyonModel year report

2020 GMC Canyon Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
18,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 GMC Canyon (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2020 GMC Canyon. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and engine (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 63% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 862 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 108 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 168 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11387073, filed 2021-01, 14,000 miles

Electrical system: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11559477, filed 2023-12

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11362569, filed 2020-10, 13,000 miles

Air bags: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11564168, filed 2024-01, 58,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

63% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,000 and 58,000 miles.

25%0–1038%10–250%25–5025%50–7513%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 18,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20203202120222023202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 GMC Canyon. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Canyon · crew cab 2WD★★★★☆4 / 4553 · 21.9% risk
Canyon · extended cab 2WD★★★★☆5 / 4553 · 21.4% risk
Canyon · crew cab 4WD★★★★☆4 / 4553 · 21.2% risk
Canyon · extended cab 4WD★★★★☆5 / 4553 · 22.0% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2019: same overall rating; 2021: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2020 GMC Canyon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Canyon 2WD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic202622$3,050
Canyon 2WD3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automatic182520$3,350
Canyon 4WD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic192421$3,200
Canyon 4WD3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automatic172419$3,550
Canyon 2WD2.8L 4-cyl · diesel6-speed automatic203023$4,150
Canyon 4WD2.8L 4-cyl · diesel6-speed automatic192822$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2020 GMC Canyon in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 862 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 862 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Canyon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202683502420—Too new
2025813,5002420—Too new
20242074,0003420Too new to compareToo new
2023623,000342099 · MoreToo new
20222722,212142240 · TypicalRising
20211246,5002422—Not enough data
20201418,5000422—Not enough data
20191736,0820422—Rising
20185322,000142243 · TypicalStable
20176627,803142256 · TypicalFalling
201627146,5234422100 · MoreStable
201530354,6808422100 · MoreFalling
20122345,0002—21—Stable
20111251,0735—21—Not enough data
2010810,0002—21—Not enough data
20092749,9283—2030 · FewerFalling
20083868,0002—200 · FewerStable
20074273,6513—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20064860,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200511350,1063—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20048074,4563—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Canyon model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 GMC Canyon have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2020 GMC Canyon as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2020 GMC Canyon is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2020 GMC Canyon been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2020 GMC Canyon do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 GMC Canyon 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2020 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2020 GMC Canyon (Canyon 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2020 GMC Canyon reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,500 miles and the middle half falls between 13,000 and 58,000 miles; 63% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.