Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
2020 GMC CanyonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Canyon. Most complaints involve power train (6) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
14
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2020 GMC Canyon as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
14 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2020 – Aug 2026
- Power train6
- Electrical system3
- Engine3
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Exterior lighting1
- Air bags1
- Steering1
- Vehicle speed control1
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 80 |
| 2005 | 113 |
| 2006 | 48 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2015 | 321 |
| 2016 | 271 |
| 2017 | 66 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 207 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 8 |
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
6 reports
“The main issue is the transmission... It shudders. Now I have to change the oil every 10K miles on it, or it will start shuddering again. It first started when the truck had 50K or a little more miles in it. The issue was resolved, I thought... Then it did it again at 69K (Just out of the warranty). I called the dealership and they stated I had to pay if I wanted an oil change, and they could not do an oil flush even if I paid for it. So I said OK, I will take it to a mechanic, and I did and "fixed" the problem. I used the oil GM recommended and the shuddering stopped. BUT then, another 10K miles and it starts again. I have changed the oil a lot of times... It now has 128K miles in it, and this last time, I had to change the oil at 9k miles because of the shuddering... What will be next? I will have to change it at 5K miles, just like the motor oil? It is sad to see all these people having the same issue as I do, and GM does not do anything about it. I've done a lot of research... There is a guy that fixes the issue eliminating a specific valve, in the transmission, and updating the other ones with higher quality valves they make to fix the problem. I'm sure it…”
Electrical system
3 reports
“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.”
Engine
3 reports
“See attached document for complaint”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Engines
- 2.8L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 2.5L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd · Automatic 8-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel · 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 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon 2WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | $4,100 | 435 |
| Canyon 2WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 406 |
| Canyon 4WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $4,300 | 456 |
| Canyon 4WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 428 |
| Canyon 2WD Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 440 |
| Canyon 4WD Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 461 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 3 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 21.2%
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
- 22.0%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Canyon PU/CC 2WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 3 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Canyon PU/EC 2WD
- 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 27, 2026Vehicle 14374Vehicle 14372Vehicle 14350
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2020 Canyon questions
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Canyon have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.
What are the most common 2020 GMC Canyon problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (6), electrical system (3), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2020 GMC Canyon get?
The EPA rates the 2020 GMC Canyon at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
How safe is the 2020 GMC Canyon?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 GMC Canyon 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026