GMC Canyon 3rd generation (2023–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 39+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
296
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2023–2026
10
recall campaigns
exterior lighting
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2023-2026 Canyon is mixed and heavily colored by the launch period.
6 problems reported (3 recurrent, 3 isolated) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentInfotainment and gauge cluster screens failing to display or going blank
- RecurrentOvernight battery death
Attributed to software updates or modules waking for self-checks and not shutting off.
- RecurrentLong order waits and tech package constraints delaying delivery
+ 3 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedStop-sale on 2024 models due to software problems
- Isolated"Reduced Acceleration" warning light, described by an owner as a software bug
- IsolatedTurn signal lever acting stuck or not working correctly
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal is positive: a 2023 Canyon Denali owner reported zero issues and said they love the truck, and the Denali interior was singled out as the best of the lineup. The AT4X Edition 1 drew order interest but also the longest waits and late availability.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Ford Maverick and Ford F-150.
Is a 2023–2026 Canyon right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for the 2023-2026 Canyon is mixed and heavily colored by the launch period. Early buyers report long order waits, constrained tech packages, and software-related problems, including screens and gauge clusters failing to display and overnight battery drain tied to software updates. A stop-sale on 2024 models due to software problems reinforced the impression of an unresolved underlying software architecture. On the positive side, owners praise the redesign's looks, the interior (especially on the Denali), the available technology such as the head-up display and vented seats, and the 2.7 turbo engine as a good choice. At least one Denali owner reported zero issues and strong satisfaction, and later-model interest (a 2023 Denali purchased used in 2026 at 33k miles) suggests the trucks remain desirable on the used market. The clearest divide is early 2023 build quality and software versus later production, which owners hoped would be ironed out.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the Canyon as the more premium and better-looking of the mid-size twins, with the Denali interior called the best of the pair. Against the Tacoma and Frontier, owners argue the 2.7 turbo makes more torque at lower RPM and is rated to tow as much as or more than those V6s, though some concede the longevity argument favors the older V6 designs. Pricing is a recurring concern: owners note a Canyon Elevation 4x4 can quickly reach about $45K, close enough to a Sierra 1500 that some would take the bigger truck, and one Canadian owner was surprised at how much more these sell for than a couple of years earlier. The Canyon is also cross-shopped against the Tacoma and Bronco by shoppers who had not seen much information about it.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. Owners repeatedly noted that the tech package was on constraint from the start of production and that ordering it would delay delivery by months, so buyers wanting a truck sooner were effectively pushed away from tech-heavy builds. No engine or trim recommendation reached consensus.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want a premium, well-styled mid-size truck and value the Denali interior and technology, and who are willing to accept that the 2023 launch year carried software and ordering headaches. Buyers prioritizing proven simplicity or maximum towing value may prefer a full-size truck, since owners noted the price gap to a Sierra 1500 is small. Prefer later production within this generation over the earliest 2023 builds, given the software issues and the stop-sale on 2024 models. On inspection, verify that infotainment and gauge cluster screens function, check for battery drain or dead-battery history, confirm any software updates have been applied, and test the turn signal lever, which at least one owner found acted stuck. Confirm the tech package is actually present if it was ordered, since it was constrained.
Remarks
A recurring owner theory holds that 2023 trucks shipped with an older software platform that was meant to be replaced by a newer underpinning, and that the update process bricked trucks and caused the stop-sale; owners expected 2023 models to be updated once the 2024 issues were resolved. Ordering experiences varied widely, with deposits of $500 to $1,000, quoted waits of 6-8 weeks to 4-6 months, and Edition 1 reservation holders given the vaguest timelines. Some owners suspected dealers were not fully forthcoming about availability. Analysis based on approximately 39 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 2 | power train |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | service brakes |
| 2024 | 210 | 3 | exterior lighting |
| 2023 | 62 | 3 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2026 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 25V856000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024–2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV vehicles. Incorrect sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may cause a second stage passenger air bag deployment when only a first stage is intended. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection."
2026 · equipment:other:owners/service/other manualcampaign 26V114000
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
2025 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 25V856000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024–2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV vehicles. Incorrect sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may cause a second stage passenger air bag deployment when only a first stage is intended. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection."
2025 · equipment:other:owners/service/other manualcampaign 26V114000
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
2024 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblycampaign 24V491000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The lock ring that secures the fuel pump to the fuel tank assembly may not have been fully locked during assembly, which can result in a fuel leak during a crash.
2024 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 24V673000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 GMC Canyon vehicles. The headlights may flicker while driving and while the vehicle is in park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2024 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 25V856000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024–2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV vehicles. Incorrect sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may cause a second stage passenger air bag deployment when only a first stage is intended. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
2023 · electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:camera/sensorcampaign 24V133000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The front camera module (FCM) system may falsely detect an obstacle, causing the automatic emergency braking (AEB) to engage unexpectedly.
2023 · wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studscampaign 24V237000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The front wheel hub bolts may have been over-tightened and damaged during installation.
2023 · seat belts:critical fastenerscampaign 24V703000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Chevrolet Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon vehicles. The left or right front seat may have a seat belt buckle attachment bolt that was not tightened properly.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.