Since 2004, the Canyon has been the truck of choice for drivers wanting a premium midsize pickup. The bigger, better, stronger 2023 GMC Canyon ushers in a new generation. But is a used Canyon reliable? Here are the most common GMC Canyon problems from previous model years.

The 3 most common GMC Canyon problems

The automotive repair and maintenance site RepairPal gathers data about owner-reported issues. Here are the top three GMC Canyon problems:

• A/C blower inoperable due to failed resistor — reported by 194 owners
• Worn valve seats might cause engine misfire — reported by 73 owners
• Check engine light due to gas cap issue — reported by 52 owners

With a relatively low number of reported problems, the GMC Canyon is a mostly problem-free truck.

When you lose HVAC blower motor speeds, what should you do?

The most common GMC Canyon problem is the loss of one or more blower speeds in the HVAC system. Owners experiencing this problem should replace the blower motor resistor. This typically occurs at 90,000 miles or more, costing $67 to $79 to fix.

The second most common GMC Canyon problem is more serious

If the engine misfires due to worn valve seats, the cylinder head might need replacing. Once the check engine light comes on, ask a certified mechanic to inspect the truck. This problem typically appears after 107,000 miles.

The gas cap issue is easy to fix

A worn or loose gas cap can cause the check engine light to illuminate. If you suspect that’s the problem, take your Canyon to an auto parts store and ask an employee to check the code before you pay for a diagnostic test. If the problem is the gas cap, it’s a cheap and easy fix.

Is the GMC Canyon a reliable midsize truck?

The GMC Canyon received a decent reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal. That places the Canyon second out of seven midsize pickup trucks. This ranking is based on three factors:

• Cost: The GMC Canyon’s average annual repair and maintenance costs are $548, compared to $584 for all midsize trucks.
• Frequency: Canyon owners take their vehicles for unscheduled repairs 0.18 times per year, compared with 0.2 for the class.
• Severity: The probability of severe repairs for the GMC Canyon is 12%, compared to 13% for midsize all pickup trucks.

Overall, this GMC truck is pretty reliable. However, some years are better than others. If you want a used Canyon, consider the 2005, 2012, 2016, and 2020 models. But beware of years with lower reliability scores, such as 2017 through 2019 and 2021.

Regardless of a used car’s reliability score, always obtain a vehicle history report and have a trusted mechanic perform an inspection to uncover potential problems before purchasing. 

Is the GMC Canyon a good midsize pickup truck?

The latest version of this midsize pickup truck takes on a whole new persona. The 2023 GMC Canyon is an off-road champ at every trim level, trading the premium aesthetic for a rugged vibe. J.D. Power rates this attention-grabbing truck second among midsize pickups for 2023.