AI Damage2017 GMC Acadia: common problems
Owners of the 2017 GMC Acadia filed 705 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 919 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 705
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 919
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 236 complaints (33% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 73.
- Electrical system: 193 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 195.
- Air bags: 76 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Engine: 62 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 87.
- Service brakes: 36 complaints (5% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 34.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 705 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 | 236 | 4 | 73 |
| Electrical system | 193 | 1 | 195 |
| Air bags | 76 | 2 | 5 |
| Engine | 62 | 0 | 87 |
| Service brakes | 36 | 1 | 34 |
| Steering | 34 | 1 | 29 |
| Exterior lighting | 25 | 0 | 13 |
| Lane departure | 17 | 0 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 13 | 0 | 11 |
| Seat belts | 13 | 1 | 6 |
| Electronic stability control | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 0 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 | 3 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 23 |
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 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 air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the driveshaft fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
My husband and I were in a very serious car accident and I'm concerned because our air bags did not deploy. We were traveling on a diagonal street in chicago and he was going straight. My right front fender hit his right front fender. His air bags deployed but ours did not.
While the vehicle was engaged in park with the engine running, it inadvertently rolled away. As a result, the occupant was struck by the door and the vehicle ran over the occupant's foot. Medical attention was required. The vehicle continued to roll away and rear ended another vehicle. A police report was not filed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 gmc acadia. While driving with the cruise control set at 60 mph, the contact attempted to deactivate the cruise control, but was unsuccessful. The contact also attempted to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal, but that failed as well.
My Acadia went into limp Mode displaying low power mode on the screen and wouldn’t start for a couple days after. Lights started illuminating on the dash as abs, traction control, and stanilitrack, then check engine light came on and my gmc app displayed code p2138.
Something inside the wheel started smoking and my gmc app displayed low break fluid. I pulled over and had someone come out two days later. The breakpad had uneven wear and the caliper had a broken seal on it which in turn tore the caliper up! This was not a safe situation to have with 4 kids in the car.
P235/65r18, 106v 3 of the 4 tires are bubbled out lose air and are constantly feeling as if they are hydroplaning with lack of ice water or snow, constantly having to fill the tires with air. One has popped completely and am driving on a spare tire.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 70 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Acadia has 184 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 705, above average.
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.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This Preliminary information communicates a possible issue with an engine timing chain, gear or crankshaft key
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 919 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Acadia?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 705. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (11%), infotainment or screen glitches (6%), rollaway, parking brake (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 919 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 GMC Acadia from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
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.