2020 GMC Canyon Complaints

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/16/2023

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 would cost GM some money, but these trucks are expensive, you know? It is sad that no one is trying to help consumers when companies sale these cars and trucks to the public for a very high price and they do not take care of the mistakes they make when producing them. Please help us making GM fix this transmission issues. It is not fare for us consumers to be having trouble with new vehicles. Thank you for your time.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 10/01/2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking garage, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. The contact's son used excessive force to depress the brake pedal, and an unknown warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, which caused the end of the cam shaft to fracture. The contact called several dealers and was informed that the cam shaft was on backorder. The contact stated that one of the dealers stated that the failure was a common issue resulting in the part being on backorder. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact was informed that only the NHTSA could place a recall on the vehicle. The cam shaft and vacuum pump had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 12/15/2024

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE — Filed 10/19/2023

See attached document for complaint

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/18/2023

The contact owned a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the vehicle was switching lanes abruptly, and did not have enough time to slow down or stop. No warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a yard by the police department. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back, arm, neck, fractured ribs, lung, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 58,000.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/20/2023

The wiring in most vehicles 2020 and newer are soy/ nut based product… which squirrels, rodents and other animals can’t resist and the wiring throughout the vehicle is being chewed this all makes all models all manufacturers… there is also problems with the 8 speed transmission that shutters and hard gear changing and the quick fix is to flush out and refill it with transmission fluid

STEERING — Filed 04/14/2023

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Canyon. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power steering module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,432.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/08/2022

Infotainment center Reboots if phone is plug in. Radio station becomes very loud and driver is unable to control volume. Driver is now distracted from driving and trying to repair problem. Bad situation when in traffic.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 01/05/2022

When rolling to stop signs or red lights, the vehicle occasionally fails to downshift properly and will attempt to continue pushing the vehicle when trying to stop. On multiple occasions, the vehicle acts as if it cannot be stopped due to the transmission failing to downshift. One must aggressively apply the brakes to get the vehicle to come to a stop. Unable to have the vehicle checked out at a local dealer, due to being backed up for weeks when trying to have it looked at. No visual indication/warning is given when this happens. There is a current class action lawsuit for models up to 2019, but this needs to be extended to 2020 models as well, as multiple online forums discuss this issue being prevalent in newer models of the 8-speed transmission.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/15/2020

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2020 CANYON SLE THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2020. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 20,000 MILE ON IT CURRENTLY. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A "LAG" ON ACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THIS FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T DOWN SHIFTING ALL THE WAY. AT TIME WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE TRUCK WILL ACT AS IT IS IN A HIGH GEAR THEN SUDDENLY SLAM INTO A FIRST GEAR. I HAVE TAKE MY TRUCK TO JESSUP GMC IN PALM SPRINGS AND THEY SAY THE TECH CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE THE 2015-1019 MODELS HAVE IN REFERENCE TO BULLETIN: 18-NA-355 DATED AUGUST 2019