2021 GMC Canyon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 GMC Canyon: 2 recalls, 12 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V811000 · 2020 · 470 vehicles
What's wrong: Incorrect bolts May have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt May not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Why it matters: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt May not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.
Equipment Vehicle recall #21V497000 · 2021 · 7,199 vehicles
What's wrong: The load carrying capacity printed on the tire and loading information placard is 22.5 kg (51 lbs.) more than intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: An incorrect label May lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will mail owners a new b-pillar label, free of charge. Owners May apply the label, or bring it to a dealer for installation. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 17, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (2): the most common themes are warning light on (2), noise or vibration (2).
- Steering (2): the most common themes are steering problems (2).
The 2021 GMC Canyon has 12 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 21 Canyon model years for complaints (well below the 68 average). Complaints peaked in 2024 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 46,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (14 complaints, 0 recalls), 2022 (27 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | Diesel |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Diesel |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 GMC Canyon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 GMC Canyon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2021 GMC Canyon. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 GMC Canyon problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (2), other / unknown (2), transmission & drivetrain (2).
What gas mileage does the 2021 GMC Canyon get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.8 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 GMC Canyon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.