GMC TruckCanyon2021Overview/gmc-truck/canyon/2021/base/

2021 GMC Truck Canyon

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Canyon.

The 2021 GMC Canyon midsize pickup requires 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 or 0W-20 oil for its engine. This model year recorded just 10 owner complaints, with the primary area being the power train, alongside two recalls. That places the 2021 Canyon among the more reliable entries in the nameplate’s history, a stark contrast to the 318 complaints logged for the 2015 model year.

Model year20212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0; Optional: 8.0, 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377 alt 55593191
Engine air filter94775933 alt 23248945
Fuel filter52100212
Spark plug12680074 alt 12646780
Battery88864539 alt 88866271
Front wiper blades84225697 alt 84225696
Serpentine belt12664598 alt 24580771
Thermostat12650486 alt 12630780
Cabin air filter84984665 alt 23135671

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 / 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.7 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4 qt
Brake FluidDot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.1 pt
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.7 pt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.66 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.08 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts24.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)11.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0 ft-lbs, M6 Bolts: 6.6 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub192.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance615 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)60.0-80.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 27.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 133.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .980; Rear: .650
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002"
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40°22 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 125°59 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 190°22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M8 Bolts11 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40°22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 90°, Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 60°37 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
180°
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 90°, Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 60°37 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-63.7 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Hidden 9th Bolt by throttle body: 7.018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2021 GMC Truck Canyon lead in one area — the power train, 2 of 10 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
741
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train2
Exterior Lighting1
Back Over Prevention1
Steering1
Electrical System1
Seat Belts,Unknown Or Other1
Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure1
Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V811000Seat BeltsReported 23/12/2020

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… Remedy: 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…

21V497000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 01/07/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 741 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIT5509M2026-05-14Unknown Or OtherThis PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Canyon. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Canyon take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 is preferred but 0W-20 can be used as an alternate., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Canyon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.