Head-to-head reliability
GMC Canyon vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
GMC Canyon averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. GMC Canyon has 465 complaints and 15 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,904 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Canyon | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 465 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 46.5 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 Better | 159 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
GMC Canyon
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING170
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM87
- 03POWER TRAIN74
- 04ENGINE53
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER43
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Canyon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver’s side low beam headlight failed to illuminate as intended. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection,…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 experienced an internal engine failure at approximately 16,500 miles, requiring replacement of the entire long block under the factory powertrain warranty. The authorized Chevrolet dealership diagnosed internal cylinder wa…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine in my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic internal failure caused by a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft assembly. The fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
GMC Canyon — 15 recalls
The defect: 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 Sa…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the SDM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252533510. Vehicle Identification Num…
The defect: 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 Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts m…
The risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet cust…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Canyon vehicles. The load carrying capacity printed on the Tire and Loading Information placard is 22.5 kg (51 lbs.) more than intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbe…
The risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will mail owners a new B-pillar label, free of charge. Owners may apply the label, or bring it to a dealer for installation. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 17, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV work trucks. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce sound at a sufficient volume. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum So…
The risk: A vehicle that fails to make sufficient sound may result in pedestrians being unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the software in the body control module (BCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N24…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | GMC Canyon | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 82 |
| 2025 | 8 | 135 |
| 2024 | 205 | 498 |
| 2023 | 58 | 424 |
| 2022 | 24 | 1302 |
| 2021 | 11 | 914 |
| 2020 | 14 | 831 |
| 2019 | 16 | 1977 |
| 2018 | 52 | 588 |
| 2017 | 65 | 1153 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific GMC Canyon or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Canyon vs Chevrolet Silverado
- GMC Canyon total complaints
- 465
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,904
- GMC Canyon total recalls
- 15
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- GMC Canyon avg complaints/year
- 46.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- GMC Canyon
- GMC Canyon top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE