AI DamageGMC Acadia: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the GMC Acadia across 12 model years: 2,210 owner complaints and 2,124 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 641 complaints (29% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 694.
- Electrical system: 537 complaints (24% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,602.
- Engine: 263 complaints (12% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 758.
- Air bags: 229 complaints (10% of all), 17 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 43.
- Service brakes: 175 complaints (8% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 238.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2020–2023
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2017–2021
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2024–2027
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2007–2023named in 11 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed 2007–2019
- automatic, 8-speed 2024–2027
- automatic, 9-speed 2020–2023
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2,210 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 641 | 12 | 694 |
| Electrical system | 537 | 10 | 1,602 |
| Engine | 263 | 8 | 758 |
| Air bags | 229 | 17 | 43 |
| Service brakes | 175 | 12 | 238 |
| Steering | 166 | 4 | 193 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 74 | 2 | 95 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 70 | 0 | 96 |
| Exterior lighting | 55 | 1 | 122 |
| Lane departure | 53 | 1 | 30 |
| Vehicle speed control | 38 | 5 | 28 |
| Seat belts | 38 | 2 | 27 |
| Electronic stability control | 34 | 0 | 25 |
| Backover prevention | 30 | 2 | 134 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the driver's seat belt became inoperable. The contact stated that the plastic covering detached, the seat belt fell apart and slipped, and the seat belt failed to retract. The contact sought medical attention at a local emergency room one day after the crash for back and neck injuries.
The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, traffic stopped abruptly, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate while the Forward Collision Avoidance warning feature activated with a red warning light on the instrument panel.
My driver side front control arm, and stabilizer bar snapped on me while on the highway without warning causing me to crash. I'm blessed to be alive.
When backing into my driveway the brakes failed. I was nosing the car across the street towards the neighbors driveway so I could put the car in reverse and back it into the driveway.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on an incline with the engine turned off, the contact's toddler was able to shift into drive(D), and the vehicle rolled backwards, hit a light pole and a basketball stand, causing damage to the front driver-side door.
The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward, over a curb, and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- PI created to guide technicians through radio restriction process
- This Preliminary information communicates a potential chirp noise coming from the engine compartment
- This PI communicates the possibility of dtc U11E2 setting as current or history due to poor connection at…
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to…
- Fixes to help prevent loss of functionality for connectivity features such as OnStar, Wi-Fi, Navigation,…
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- A dealer is advised to perform no repairs if U3000 SYM 92 is found
- If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path…
- This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a…
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that GM is aware of the issue and the…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- QUICK REBUILD ON A WRECKED 2017 GMC ACADIA DENALIamount per author: 99,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- I Took a GAMBLE On This 2021 GMC Acadia... And It PAID OFF!amount per author: 4,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2016 GMC Acadia - Accident Damage Repair
- GMC Acadia 2016 за 15490$ | Преміальний кросовер для сім'ї!
- GMC Acadia 2016 за 15490$: Більше ніж просто кросовер! 🔥
- ACADIA GMC 2016 Model LH & RH Quarter panel accident Restoration.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.