2021 GMC Canyon Problems, Recalls & Reliability

14 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 GMC Canyon, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 7/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score.

14Complaints
7/100Trouble index
2Recalls

Few reports

Where 2021 sits among all Canyon years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Driver assistance 3 complaints (21%)
Airbags 2 complaints (14%)
Other 2 complaints (14%)
Transmission & drivetrain 2 complaints (14%)
Electrical 2 complaints (14%)
Steering 2 complaints (14%)

Recalls (2)

EQUIPMENT 21V497000 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Canyon vehicles. 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…

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. Owners…

SEAT BELTS 20V811000 2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500,…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer…

Technical service bulletins

742 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2021 GMC Canyon. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 Canyon TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2021peak 4 in 20242026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 GMC Canyon reliable?

The 2021 GMC Canyon drew 14 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 7/100, scored against the model's worst year (2015).

What are the most common 2021 GMC Canyon problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 GMC Canyon are driver assistance (3 complaints), airbags (2), and other (2).

Does the 2021 GMC Canyon have recalls?

2 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 GMC Canyon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.