AI Damage2018 GMC Acadia: common problems
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia filed 396 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 694 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 396
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 694
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 41% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 3% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 2% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 163 complaints (41% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Electrical system: 109 complaints (28% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 136.
- Engine: 34 complaints (9% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 68.
- Steering: 24 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Service brakes: 21 complaints (5% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
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 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 396 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 | 163 | 4 | 69 |
| Electrical system | 109 | 3 | 136 |
| Engine | 34 | 4 | 68 |
| Steering | 24 | 2 | 19 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 4 | 27 |
| Electronic stability control | 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspension | 5 | 1 | 15 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 0 | 12 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 43 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle has experienced repeated electrical and engine-related malfunctions, including random engine shutdowns while driving and random no-start conditions. The thermostat and cooling system failed and were replaced in 2024. Multiple sensors have failed.
No warning lights were illuminated however, the "Shift to Park" message will display on the instrument panel. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed.
While the contact's friend was driving 40 mph, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated on its own. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle drove through a partition and crashed into a brick wall. The air bags deployed.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the temperature gauge remained at zero. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure.
The message "shift to park" come up on the display and a yellow light comes on in the button. I have to restart the engine and it often takes as many as 10 attempts to finally shut off the engine. Between each attempt I have to shift the transmission out of park and back into park.
I am unknown of what the issue is with the seatbelts on all seats will not properly lock.
The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be parked and turned off successfully after various attempts, which included restarting the vehicle and engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer.
The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the steering assist reduced warning light illuminated. The contact's husband attached a portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle, and P0128 was the failure code.
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 150 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Acadia has 184 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 396, 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.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
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 694 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Acadia?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 396. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (10%), infotainment or screen glitches (5%), A/C or heater (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 694 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 2018 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 2018 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.