Last updated: 2026-10-10

2020 GMC Canyon
RELIABILITY SCORE: 76/100 (GOOD)

2020 GMC Canyon Reliability Report

The 2020 GMC Canyon rates good for reliability with no recalls. The main complaint is a shuddering, jerky 8-speed automatic transmission.

Recalls

0

Complaints

13

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$548

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,700–$3,700

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint SeverityN/A

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue DiversityN/A

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Good reliability with no recalls, though owners report a shuddering 8-speed automatic, and it sits above the 2021 in standing.

Top Issues to Watch

  • POWER TRAIN (5)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
  • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Refresh Year

2020 received a facelift update for the Second generation (RG; 2011).

  • Changes: New front fascia design; Updated technology features.
  • Year 6 in this generation (2015–2022).
  • 2nd generation Canyon (US).

What this means for buyers

Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.

2015: Second generation (RG; 2011) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2020: This Model Year (Refresh)

2020 received a facelift update for the Second generation (RG; 2011).

Should You Buy the 2020 GMC Canyon?

Good reliability puts this Canyon above average among 2020 trucks and among the stronger of the nine Canyon years we score. Federal recall records show no recalls. Owners filed 13 complaints, about the same as the 2019, which also rates good. The 2021 rates worse and has 2 recalls.

The transmission is the main trouble. People who drive the 8-speed automatic describe shuddering under acceleration and hard, jerky shifts. Several say it fails to downshift when coasting to a stop, so the truck keeps pushing forward and needs heavy braking. Others report a lag when pulling away, then a slam into first gear. No warning light comes on, and dealers often cannot reproduce it. Reports start around 20,000 miles. Fluid changes stop the shudder for a while, but it can return. Two electrical complaints cover a sticking ignition key and an infotainment unit that reboots when a phone is plugged in.

Test drive for shifting problems, especially pulling away and slowing to a stop. Ask for service records showing any transmission fluid work. The 2019 is a close alternative.

Compared to the 2021 GMC Canyon, which scored 8 points lower. See also the 2019 GMC Canyon for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (12%)
  • +No recalls issued

Cons

  • −POWER TRAIN: Shuddering under acceleration and jerky, hard shifts are the main complaints... (5 complaints)
  • −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (2 complaints)

Compare 2020 GMC Canyon With

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK
  • POWER TRAIN (5)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2020 GMC Canyon — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

13

complaints
LowAvgHigh
Very Low

Safety Incidents

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2020 GMC Canyon? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2020 GMC Canyon, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2020 GMC Canyon NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 21.4%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (None)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

GMC CanyonRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$548

vs $548 avg for midsize trucks

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.2

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Canyon
$548
Category Avg
$548
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

GMC Canyon Resale Value

The GMC Canyon is estimated to retain about 96.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the GMC Canyon model overall and is not specific to the 2020 model year.

Value Retained
96.3%

after 5 years

Depreciation
3.7%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
62

U.S. used-car listings

Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore GMC Canyon depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

19–23 MPG

Running cost: $3,250–$4,250/yr

Fuel + repair

17–20 city / 24–30 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2020 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Canyon 2WD 2.5L 4-cylRear-Wheel DriveAutomatic 6-spd202622$2,700
Canyon 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl4-Wheel DriveAutomatic 6-spd192421$2,850
Canyon 2WD 3.6L 6-cylRear-Wheel DriveAutomatic 8-spd182520$3,000
Canyon 4WD 3.6L 6-cyl4-Wheel DriveAutomatic 8-spd172419$3,150
Canyon 2WD 2.8L 4-cylRear-Wheel DriveAutomatic 6-spd203023$3,500
Canyon 4WD 2.8L 4-cyl4-Wheel DriveAutomatic 6-spd192822$3,700

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 GMC Canyon.

  • Coast to several full stops and feel whether the truck keeps pushing forward instead of downshifting.

  • Accelerate gently from a stop and watch for a lag followed by a hard clunk into first gear.

  • Drive up an incline and note any shudder or jerking during downshifts.

  • Ask for transmission fluid service records and any dealer visits for shudder or harsh shifting.

  • Switch the engine off with the key several times and confirm the key turns to OFF and comes out.

  • Plug a phone into the infotainment system and check that it doesn't reboot and that the volume control works.

2020 GMC Canyon Common Problems by Component

13 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

5
2
POWER TRAIN (5)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (1)SERVICE BRAKES (1)EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)AIR BAGS (1)STEERING (1)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)

POWER TRAIN

5 complaints

Shuddering under acceleration and jerky, hard shifts are the main complaints about the 8-speed automatic. Several reports describe the transmission failing to downshift when coasting to a stop, so the truck keeps pushing forward and needs heavy braking. Others describe a lag when pulling away, then a sudden slam into first gear. No warning light comes on, and dealers often cannot reproduce the problem or find a code. Fluid changes or flushes stop the shudder for a while, but it can return. Reports start at around 20,000 miles.

5 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

The ignition key can stick and refuse to turn to OFF, leaving the truck unable to shut down and the key trapped in the switch. No warning light comes on, and the problem keeps coming back. Moving the shifter back and forth sometimes frees it. A separate complaint involves the infotainment unit rebooting when a phone is plugged in. The radio then plays very loudly and the volume control stops working, which distracts the driver in traffic. Only 2 complaints are on file for this category.

2 complaints total

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint
2020-05-21

2020 GMC CANYON WITH 774 MILES SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25 MPH. THE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION CAUSED MELTING OF ADJACENT COMPONENTS. AS IT WAS HAPPENING, THE DASHBOARD SHOWED A "BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE" MESSAGE FOLLOWED BY A "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM." THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER. THE PROBLEM APPEARS SIMILAR TO RECALL N192273510 FOR THE GMC SIERRA.*DT*JB *TR

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint
2025-10-01

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint
2023-10-19

See attached document for complaint

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related
2023-12-18Crash reported1 injury

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.

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaint
2023-04-14

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.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint
2020-07-13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC CANYON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FEATURE FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY WARNING THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS STOP IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE OR SLOWING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATES GMC BUICK NISSAN (143 BOSTON POST RD, NORTH WINDHAM, CT 06256, WHERE A ROAD TESTING WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

Best & Worst GMC Canyon Years

Best GMC Canyon Years to Buy

GMC Canyon Years to Avoid

GMC Canyon Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

GMC Canyon reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201871/100Good
201976/100Good
202076/100Good
202168/100Good
202271/100Good
202366/100Good
202479/100Good
202572/100Good
202676/100Good

GMC Canyon Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202676/100+4Good00
202572/100-7Good28
202479/100+13Good3204
202366/100-5Good351
202271/100+3Good122
202168/100-8Good210
2020(selected)76/1000Good013
201976/100+5Good014
201871/100—Good149

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2020 GMC Canyon reliable?
Yes, it rates good for reliability. It is above average among 2020 trucks and among the stronger of the nine Canyon years we score. Federal recall records list none for this year. The main weakness is the 8-speed automatic transmission, which draws the most owner complaints.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Canyon?
Transmission complaints lead, with 5 of 13 filings. Owners describe shuddering under acceleration, hard shifts, and a lag before a sudden slam into first gear. Two electrical complaints cover a sticking ignition key and an infotainment unit that reboots when a phone is plugged in.
Does the 2020 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Some owners report them. The 8-speed automatic can shudder, shift hard, or fail to downshift when coasting to a stop, which then needs heavy braking. No warning light comes on, and dealers often cannot reproduce it. Reports start around 20,000 miles. Fluid changes help for a while, but the shudder can return.
Has the 2020 GMC Canyon been recalled?
No. Federal recall records show 0 recalls for the 2020 model year. The 2019 also has none, while the 2021 has 2 recalls. Still, check a specific truck's VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Is the 2020 GMC Canyon better than the 2021?
By our data, yes. Both rate good, but the 2020 rates better than the 2021. The 2020 has 13 complaints and no recalls, while the 2021 has 10 complaints and 2 recalls. The 2021 is newer, so it has had less time to collect complaints.

Don’t buy a 2020 GMC Canyon without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2020 GMC Canyon

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2020 GMC Canyon does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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