Originally launched a quarter of a century ago in 2004, the GMC Canyon was designed to be a mid-size pickup truck that had sufficient cargo and towing capacity to appeal to a wide consumer base. The 2024 GMC Canyon is the second model year of the third generation. Although a popular vehicle, there are a large number of owners who are complaining about “exterior lighting” issues. These relate to the turn signal system as well as headlight malfunctions, both of which result in safety risks as well as considerable inconvenience and stress for drivers.
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Problem Overview
The most common complaints sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the 2024 GMC Canyon relate to malfunctioning headlights and turn signals, unexpected braking, and sudden loss of acceleration power. All three are serious safety issues that increase the risk of crashes and can make owners wary of driving their trucks in certain situations.
Only launched in the spring of 2024, the Canyon had already generated significant complaint volume by early 2025. While the automaker has issued a recall for flickering headlights, other recurring problems remain unresolved for many owners.
2024 GMC Canyon Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Exterior Lighting
159
159
Electrical System
22
22
Unknown Or Other
8
8
Steering
5
5
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Many owners report that the Canyon’s headlights flicker, blink off momentarily, or malfunction in other ways while driving. In some cases, turn signals have also been affected. These issues can confuse other drivers, cause glare, or reduce night visibility — all of which increase crash risk.
A Kansas owner stated, “The headlights randomly flicker on and off while driving at night. This not only causes a distraction while I’m driving but is also affecting other drivers… Drivers in the other lane mistake the flicker as me turning on my brights, which leads to retaliation.”
Some owners say the headlights blink every 2–3 minutes, creating repeated momentary blackouts while driving at night.
A Virginia driver said, “LED headlamps blink off and back on in a fraction of a second. Pedestrians or cyclists who think the flash is signaling them to proceed may be at risk.”
In other cases, the problem involves the high beams staying on permanently. An Indiana owner reported that after a recall repair attempt, “The driver’s side headlamp is always on high-beam… This 2024 GMC Canyon is blinding oncoming traffic and is a risk to myself, my passengers, and oncoming traffic.”
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Recall Information
NHTSA Campaign Number 24V673000 warns that 13,241 2024 GMC Canyon vehicles have headlights that may flicker while driving or in Park. Flickering can reduce visibility and increase crash risk. GM has acknowledged the problem and stated that engineering teams are working toward a resolution.
Complaints about headlight flickering have slowed since March 2025, suggesting that the recall has likely covered most affected vehicles.
Unexpected Braking
Several owners report that their Canyon brakes suddenly and without warning, even when there are no obstacles in the vehicle’s path. These incidents are often linked to the forward collision avoidance system or lane assist features. The abrupt stops create a serious risk of rear-end collisions, especially at highway speeds or in traffic.
A Texas owner described how the truck “slammed on the brakes in the middle of an empty road… no cars ahead, no debris, nothing.”
A Colorado driver stated, “While driving on the freeway with adaptive cruise control on, the vehicle braked hard as if something was in front of me, but the lane was completely clear. The driver behind me had to swerve to avoid hitting me.”
Another owner said the system “sometimes brakes when passing large trucks in the opposite lane,” suggesting possible sensor misreads.
Loss of Vehicle Acceleration Power
Owners also report sudden, unexplained loss of power while driving. In these cases, pressing the accelerator has no effect, forcing drivers to coast to the side of the road before restarting the vehicle. This can be dangerous if it occurs in traffic, on highways, or when crossing intersections.
A Florida owner wrote, “I was merging onto the interstate when the truck suddenly stopped accelerating. The pedal went to the floor but nothing happened. I barely managed to get to the shoulder.”
A Michigan driver reported, “Truck lost all throttle response while going 45 mph. No warning lights before it happened. Had to stop completely, shut off the engine, and restart to get it moving again.”
Another complaint from Arizona stated, “Vehicle loses power without warning, then lurches forward after a restart. Dealer says no codes are stored so they can’t fix it.”
What Should You Do If Your 2024 GMC Canyon Is a Lemon?
If you have major problems that relate to your 2024 GMC Canyon that recur and affect the value and/or use of the vehicle, you might have purchased a lemon. Lemberg Law has been helping vehicle owners with all kinds of “lemon” problems for many years, and we have negotiated many settlements on their behalf.
If you’d like us to assess your problems, free of charge, contact us by calling our Helpline or filling out a contact form. The law says that the automaker has to pay the legal fees for lemon law cases. This means that you won’t have to pay any of the legal bills.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
