AI Damage2019 GMC Acadia: common problems
Owners of the 2019 GMC Acadia filed 388 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 676 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 388
- involving a crash
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 676
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 40% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 154 complaints (40% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 75.
- Electrical system: 106 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 149.
- Engine: 53 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 72.
- Steering: 33 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Service brakes: 16 complaints (4% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
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 4 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 388 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 | 154 | 1 | 75 |
| Electrical system | 106 | 0 | 149 |
| Engine | 53 | 0 | 72 |
| Steering | 33 | 0 | 21 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 2 | 29 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 14 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 | 13 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Lane departure | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 101 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 40 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 1 | 15 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park with the engine running, the vehicle suddenly rolled away. As a result of the failure, the vehicle crashed into another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries reported.
Unnecessary safety feature sounds and alerts distract driver's normal driving and viewing habits. Any which could be turned off, have been. Every time the car is started, there is a message that these warnings have been turned off.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The contact sustained soreness to the body and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop for structural damage.
The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate fuel level. The fuel sending unit was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The contact became aware of the recurring failure while refueling the vehicle and noticing that the vehicle consumed more fuel than the fuel gauge indicated.
• The vehicle displays the warning message "Steering Assist is Reduced — Drive with Care." • The vehicle has a history of diagnostic trouble code P0128, "Engine Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature." I am concerned that these symptoms are related and represent a potential safety defect rather…
The check engine light turned on and the vehicle could maintain proper propulsion. On XXX at 3:25pm EST, I took the vehicle to AutoZone store #01664, whose "FixFinder" computer diagnostic inicated code PO700 "Transmission Control Module Requested MIL Illumination".
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the battery low and steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact's minor children were occupants in the vehicle during the failure.
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 156 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 388, 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 Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- 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
NHTSA lists 676 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 2019 GMC Acadia?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 388. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), A/C or heater (6%), infotainment or screen glitches (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 676 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 2019 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 2019 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.