Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2015 GMC CanyonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 321 owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve steering (228) and power train (43). The EPA rates it 16–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
16–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Mar 2021
Owner complaints
321
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.

SteeringReported Mar 25, 2021NHTSA 21V213000

Fuel system

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 31, 2018NHTSA 18V358000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Air bagsReported Oct 5, 2017NHTSA 17V621000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

321 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering228
  2. Power train43
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)37
  4. Electrical system36
  5. Engine14
  6. Service brakes10
  7. Exterior lighting9
  8. Air bags7
  9. Visibility/wiper7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Canyon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200480
2005113
200648
200745
200842
200929
201013
201123
201229
2015321
2016271
201766
201853
201917
202014
202112
202228
202362
2024207
20258
20268
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

228 reports4 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2015 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the "Power Steering Assist Lost" message displayed, and the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was parked, and upon restarting the engine, the failure self-corrected. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 224,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026SteeringODI 11764628

Power train

43 reports1 fire
“Ignition locking solenoid fails to release when put into park, resulting in the key stuck in the ignition. I'm then unable to leave the vehicle unattended without threat of theft or battery failure. Dealer has not been able to fix the issue. No warnings or failure indications are observed, other than the key being stuck.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2022Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11488362

Electronic stability control (esc)

37 reports1 crash
“SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST MONTH AND TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE . THE POWER STEERING MODULE WILL GO OUT DURING DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS POWER STEERING IS LOST AND I RECEIVE WARNING CHIME AND AM NOT ABLE TO STEER PROPERLY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH. GM IS OFFERING NO HELP BECAUSE MY VEHICLE VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP UNDER THE RECALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2020Steering, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11365511
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Canyon 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900396
Canyon 2WD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192522$2,900409
Canyon 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050425
Canyon 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050424
Canyon 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200445
Canyon Cab Chassis 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000554
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Canyon Cab Chassis 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.0%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Canyon PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 9573Vehicle 9572Vehicle 9571
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Canyon questions

How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Canyon have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 GMC Canyon problems?

Owners filed 321 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (228), power train (43), electronic stability control (esc) (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 GMC Canyon get?

The EPA rates the 2015 GMC Canyon at 16–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 GMC Canyon?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 GMC Canyon 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026