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2021 GMC Canyon

GasDiesel
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
89 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA11
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 GMC Canyon is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel pickup truck with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Canyon 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 11 complaints, most often about the air bags. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Canyon 2WDGasRWD2.5L 4-cyl192522$2,850
Canyon 2WDGasRWD3.6L 6-cyl182521$2,950
Canyon 4WDGas4WD2.5L 4-cyl192421$2,950
Canyon 4WDGas4WD3.6L 6-cyl162218$3,450
Canyon 2WDDieselRWD2.8L 4-cyl turbo203023$3,900
Canyon 4WDDiesel4WD2.8L 4-cyl turbo192822$4,050

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42547, 42548, 42552, 42553, 42812, 42751.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 GMC Canyon is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Equipment

N212340735
7,199 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."RiskAn incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixGM 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 may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340735.
NHTSA campaign 21V497000reported Jul 1, 2021General Motors, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

N202322230
470 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. 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.RiskIf 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.FixGM 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 service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
NHTSA campaign 20V811000reported Dec 23, 2020General Motors, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
11complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Air Bags2
Unspecified2
Power Train2
Steering2
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Lane Departure1

What owners describe

“While driving a few days ago, power steering abruptly stopped working and a service power steering message appeared. It was very difficult to steer the vehicle back home. I've tried replacing the battery and resetting the steering sensor to no avail.”Jul 30, 2026 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side low beam headlight failed to illuminate as intended. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection, an unknown electrical fuse was burned. The vehicle was tak…”Feb 5, 2026 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention screen image was solid blue, and there was no image displayed, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the rearview camera coaxial cable connec…”Nov 10, 2025 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆22%
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%
PU/EC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%
PU/EC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆22%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Canyon model years

B

2026 GMC Canyon

2 recalls · 6 complaints

B

2025 GMC Canyon

2 recalls · 8 complaints

C

2024 GMC Canyon

3 recalls · 205 complaints

C

2023 GMC Canyon

3 recalls · 60 complaints

A

2022 GMC Canyon

1 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2020 GMC Canyon

0 recalls · 14 complaints

A

2019 GMC Canyon

0 recalls · 16 complaints

B

2018 GMC Canyon

1 recalls · 52 complaints

B

2017 GMC Canyon

1 recalls · 65 complaints

D

2016 GMC Canyon

4 recalls · 267 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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