GMC Acadia owners filed 2,423 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2017 GMC Acadia drew the most complaints (702); across all years, owners complain most about transmission / powertrain (27% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2017, with 702 complaints, led by transmission / powertrain (235) and 4 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Transmission / powertrain drew 656 complaints and 4 recalls.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2015 (1.6 times as many complaints), 2016 (1.6 times as many complaints), 2017 (4.7 times as many complaints), 2018 (2.6 times as many complaints), 2019 (2.6 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: fuel system complaints came at a median 28k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 12 complaints mention a fire and 56 a crash, with 64 injuries reported.
GMC Acadia complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 4 recalls | 243 | Air bags (108), Steering (31), Electrical system (28) median 50k mi · 5 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2016 4 recalls | 236 | Air bags (130), Steering (26), Electrical system (25) median 50k mi · 8 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2017 4 recalls | 702 | Transmission / powertrain (235), Electrical system (193), Air bags (76) median 33k mi · 10 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2018 2 recalls | 394 | Transmission / powertrain (163), Electrical system (108), Engine (33) median 32k mi · 8 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2019 2 recalls | 386 | Transmission / powertrain (154), Electrical system (105), Engine (53) median 40k mi · 5 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2020 6 recalls | 100 | Electrical system (27), Engine (26), Transmission / powertrain (21) median 10k mi · 4 crashes |
| 2021 2 recalls | 149 | Electrical system (38), Engine (29), Fuel system (24) median 28k mi · 7 crashes |
| 2022 3 recalls | 49 | Electrical system (15), Engine (14), Fuel system (8) median 28k mi · 3 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 4 recalls | 43 | Engine (12), Transmission / powertrain (12), Electrical system (9) median 25k mi · 3 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2024 no recall | 58 | Brakes (23), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (10), Engine (9) median 7k mi · 2 crashes |
| 2025 no recall | 63 | Brakes (38), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (21), Engine (5) median 3k mi · 1 crash |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 31, more than the 23 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported GMC Acadia problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / powertrain | 656 | 27% | 4 | 37k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Electrical system | 560 | 23% | 0 | 35k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Air bags | 335 | 14% | 5 | 71k mi | — |
| Engine | 273 | 11% | 0 | 35k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Steering | 192 | 8% | 0 | 51k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Brakes | 169 | 7% | 1 | 29k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Fuel system | 76 | 3% | 4 | 28k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 71 | 3% | 0 | 29k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What GMC Acadia owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Transmission / powertrain
Urgent safety defect — recurring “shift to park” — rollaway risk vehicle: Gmc Acadia | ~99,684MILES same defect repaired free under gm goodwill in 2021 (shifter replacement, TSB 19-NA-206) after 4 failed attempts. Now failed again in 2025 — vehicle will not shut off, drains battery, risks unintended rollaway. Gm dealer refuses repeat coverage despite prior admission of defect.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11696632
The "shift to park" message comes on after I park the car. I have to wiggle the gear shift back and forth to get it to go off or the car stays on electronically. The door locks go on/off (and up and down) while driving (purportedly due to the car going in and out of park while driving) which is a major safety concern.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11269911
Related recalls: 17V516000 (2017–2018): If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away. 23V172000 (2023): A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. 23V043000 (2023): Separation between the half-shaft and transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
656 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
Had to replace the shifter, harness, and parking assist module to the tune of $1569.00! When it was put into park the system would not acknowledge it was in park...therefore I could not lock the vehicle and an alarm kept going off. My Acadia only has 12,000 miles on it...no excuse for having to replace those parts with or without a warranty!
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11444745
"shift to park" issue as described by others. Gm dealer says it needs to replace a $20.00 harness + labor of over $200.00. "service parking brake" issue that randomly presented itself one day. I was unable to use the parking brake. Gm dealer had to "upgrade" my ebcm for a whopping $200.00. How does gm think the consumer should have to pay for this.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11256893
None of these 560 electrical system complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
560 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Air bags
"service air bag" light has been coming on and off for a few months now. It doesn't consistently stay on. It comes on sometimes when I have my purse in the passenger seat. The car can be moving or idle. I've seen other complaints regarding this same subject. I got a diagnostic test at the dealer and they said it would be $1566.00 to repair it.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11395486
Bought vehicle used/as is from dealer about a month after air bag recall announced in 2023. Found out it is apparently illegal to sell a vehicle with an open recall. Dealer did not disclose the recall and I did not research unfortunately. It's been over a year now since air bag was recalled and still no fix and I live in a very hot state. Should never take this long to fix something so dangerous - fatal.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11608840
Related recalls: 23V334000 (2015–2017): An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. 22V246000 (2015): An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. 21V246000 (2015–2016): Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
GMC Acadia recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V681000 | 2023-10-12 | 2023 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | A windshield that is not properly bonded may detach during a crash and increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V334000 | 2023-05-10 | 2015–2017 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 23V172000 | 2023-03-16 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V043000 | 2023-02-02 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | Separation between the half-shaft and transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 22V709000 | 2022-09-22 | 2020–2021 | Backup camera / rear sensors | An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V708000 | 2022-09-22 | 2023 | Equipment / accessories | Illegible tire size information may result in the wrong tires being installed, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V446000 | 2022-06-23 | 2022 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel tank rollover valve that does not properly seal can result in a fuel leak during a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 22V427000 | 2022-06-16 | 2022 | Suspension | A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V246000 | 2022-04-14 | 2015 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 21V702000 | 2021-09-10 | 2022 | Air bags | The air bags will not deploy with an unactivated SDM, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 21V422000 | 2021-06-03 | 2021 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 21V246000 | 2021-04-08 | 2015–2016 | Air bags | Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 21V115000 | 2021-02-25 | 2019–2020 | Tires | Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V684000 | 2020-11-05 | 2020 | Tires | Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V668000 | 2020-10-29 | 2019–2020 | Transmission / powertrain | Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire. |
| 20V639000 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V446000 | 2020-07-30 | 2020 | Air bags | If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 18V358000 | 2018-05-31 | 2017–2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 17V516000 | 2017-08-22 | 2017–2018 | Transmission / powertrain | If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away. |
| 16V802000 | 2016-11-04 | 2017 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | If there is a brake fluid leak, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V833000 | 2015-12-11 | 2016 | Seats | If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury. |
| 15V609000 | 2015-09-29 | 2016 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire. |
| 15V044000 | 2015-01-28 | 2015 | Tires | If the tire treads crack, a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,423 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other GMC models in the index
- GMC Sierra 1500 (4,913)
- GMC Yukon (2,040)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.