2017 GMC Canyon
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2017 GMC Canyon.
What to watch for on the 2017 GMC Canyon
3.6L V6 Timing Chain Wear (2015-2017)
Early V6 engines show timing chain stretch and wear, announced by a rattle at cold start and sometimes a check engine light for camshaft correlation. Left unaddressed it can cause serious damage.
Eight-Speed Torque Converter Shudder
Trucks with the eight-speed automatic can develop the same shudder found across GM's eight-speed applications, felt at light steady throttle. Often improved with revised fluid, sometimes requiring a torque converter.
3 more known problems on the 2017 Canyon
Your guide shows all of them and which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
2017 GMC Canyon price ranges
2018 and later V6 trucks avoid most of the early timing chain complaints and are the safer buy. The 2.8 diesel holds value strongly because nothing else in the segment offered it, though the emissions hardware is the long-term cost to plan for. AT4 models command a clear premium for genuine off-road equipment.
Recalls on the 2017 GMC Canyon
Fuel system: fuel pump
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Source: NHTSA
What 66 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2017 GMC Canyon at a glance
- Trims
- All TerrainBaseDenaliSLSLESLT
- Engine
- 2.8L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel, 3.6L 6-Cylinder, 2.5L 4-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd, Automatic 8-spd
- Drivetrain
- 4WD, RWD
- Fuel
- Diesel, Gasoline
- Body style
- Truck
GMC Canyon (2015-2022) Buyer's Guide
Timing Chains and the Little Diesel
The second-generation Canyon, sold from 2015 to 2022 after a two-year gap in production, was a dramatic improvement and helped revive the mid-size truck segment in North America. It rides and drives far better than its predecessor, the interior is competitive, and it offers something almost no rival did: a small, efficient, genuinely capable turbodiesel.
Engines: A 2.5-liter four covers base trucks, the 3.6-liter V6 is the volume choice, and the 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder diesel is the interesting one, with excellent towing manners and real economy. The V6 gained an eight-speed automatic for 2017.
What to look for: Early 3.6-liter V6 engines, roughly 2015 to 2017, have documented timing chain wear and oil consumption complaints, so check for rattle at cold start and ask about oil top-ups. Eight-speed trucks can exhibit the same torque converter shudder found across GM's eight-speed applications, felt as a vibration at light steady throttle. On diesels, the emissions system including the particulate filter and DEF hardware is the expensive part, not the engine.
Reality check: A well-maintained V6 crew cab is an excellent compromise between usability and size, and the AT4 from 2021 added genuine off-road hardware. The diesel is the enthusiast pick for anyone who tows regularly.
About the 2nd Gen
The second-generation GMC Canyon, sold from 2015 to 2022 after a two-year production gap, was a dramatic improvement on its predecessor and helped revive the mid-size pickup segment in North America. It rides and drives far better, the interior became genuinely competitive, and the range included something almost no rival offered: a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel with excellent towing manners and real economy. A 2.5-liter four covered base trucks and the 3.6-liter V6 was the volume choice, gaining an eight-speed automatic for 2017, while the AT4 arrived in 2021 with genuine off-road hardware.
Early 3.6-liter V6 engines from roughly 2015 to 2017 have documented timing chain wear, announced by a rattle at cold start and sometimes camshaft correlation fault codes, often accompanied by noticeable oil consumption. Trucks from 2018 onward largely avoid these complaints and are the safer used buy. Eight-speed models can exhibit the same torque converter shudder found across GM's eight-speed applications. On the diesel, the engine itself is durable and the cost sits in the emissions hardware, particularly the particulate filter and DEF system on trucks used mainly for short trips. A well-maintained V6 crew cab is an excellent balance of usability and size.
Other GMC Canyon years
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Frequently asked questions
Which engine should I choose?
The 3.6 V6 from 2018 or later is the sensible default: adequate power, no early timing chain baggage, and the widest choice on the used market. The 2.8 diesel is better if you tow regularly or cover long distances, provided you understand the emissions hardware costs.
How do I check for timing chain wear?
Start the truck cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds before oil pressure builds. Ask whether any camshaft correlation codes have appeared. Combine that with a question about oil consumption, since the two often travel together on these engines.
Is a mid-size truck actually big enough?
For most private buyers, yes. The crew cab is genuinely usable for four adults, the bed handles typical loads, and it fits in car parks and garages that defeat a full-size truck. If you tow heavy regularly, a half-ton makes a better case.
What is the difference between the Canyon and the Colorado?
They are the same truck with different styling, badging, and trim strategy, built alongside each other. The Canyon skews slightly more upmarket in its equipment and interior finish, and Denali versions have no Colorado equivalent. Mechanically there is nothing to choose between them.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.