GMC Canyon exterior lighting problems, 2016–2026
167 of the 739 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Canyon 2016–2026 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). The loudest years: 2024 (159), 2023 (5), 2018 (3). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
GMC Canyon exterior lighting problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the exterior lights | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 159 | 77% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 3 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the exterior lights. Nothing here is a rate.
When the exterior lighting complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 160 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 2
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
LED Headlamps blink off and back on in a fraction of a second. Seems to be related to low beam setting. Seems to not be related to auto-dimming functionality. Seems to be a narrow build date window from late Spring 2024 thru June 2024. Occurs when vehicle is moving or parked.
The headlights flicker. It doesn’t matter whether auto dim feature is on or off. It happens approximately every 5 minutes or so. This is a dangerous situation. It flashes at vehicles as well as pedestrians. This could cause I’m signaling to go in front of me
The vehicle’s headlights are malfunctioning, creating a safety concern. The issue was reported to the dealership and GMC Customer Care, but it remains unresolved. The dealership offered repair assistance, but GMC Customer Care stated that no additional assistance is available
The vehicle’s headlights are malfunctioning, creating a safety concern. The issue was reported to the dealership and GMC Customer Care, but it remains unresolved. The dealership offered repair assistance, but GMC Customer Care stated that no additional assistance is available
Backup lights are not working; bulbs are good. No apparent chafing/wear on wiring harness. Removed ground strap, cleaned and reattached. Still not working. 48,000 miles on 2018 GMC Canyon SLT, diesel engine
What is on file about the exterior lights, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V673000 ModerateSep 12, 2024 · 13,241 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 GMC Canyon vehicles. The headlights may flicker while driving and while the vehicle is in park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich GMC Canyon years have the most exterior lighting complaints?
2024, 159; 2023, 5; 2018, 3. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (77%).
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the GMC Canyon?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 24V673000 (2024). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the GMC Canyon?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.