AI Damage2020 GMC Acadia: common problems
Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia filed 106 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 849 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 106
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 849
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 26% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 19% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 29 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 88.
- Electrical system: 28 complaints (26% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 221.
- Powertrain: 22 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 102.
- Steering: 20 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 9 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 106 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 29 | 0 | 88 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 1 | 221 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 0 | 102 |
| Steering | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 | 30 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 1 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Visibility | 3 | 1 | 18 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 44 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Rear view camera stopped working as I was backing up and ran into a pole damaged my right rear wheel well and panel.
The air bags failed to deploy upon impact; the contact hit her head and was knocked unconscious during the incident. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for a hematoma on her forehead above her right eye.
The ACADIA 2020 while in slow motion approaching my private condominium parking spot, accelerated autonomously and then slammed into the cement wall. Airbags deployed, no warning of collision, seriously damaged both car and cement wall. No bodily injuries.
The AC would not cool and reduce power steering assist error message comes on. This is a known problem by GM and there is a recall for this issue on many of these vehicles, other GMC and Cadillac vehicles. Our vehicle should be added to the recall list!
The rear camera does not operate 100% of the time. This has happened multiple times over the year.
Receive error message about Power steering that shuts off AC and Temperature gauges. Happens constantly when vehicle is driven on freeway. Requires the battery to be disconnected and it resets until the next time.
2020 GMC Acadia bucks/hesitates when I take off or slow down and speed back up. Mechanic looked at it can see engine is having random misfires. We have tried plugs, transmission fluid, looked at everything we could think of.
Check engine light comes on, reduce power steering assist error message comes on, engine temperature gauge reads cold when vehicle has been running for an extended period of time. This is a known problem by GM and there is a recall for this issue on many of these vehicles, other GMC and Cadillac vehicles.
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 555 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Acadia has 184 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 106, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- 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 the potential for condensation to freeze up inside the Crankcase…
This Preliminary information communicates the potential for condensation to freeze up inside the Crankcase Pressure Sensor causing dtc P04FB to set.
- This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
- 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…
NHTSA lists 849 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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Acadia?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 106. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), A/C or heater (16%), rear-view camera (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 849 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 2020 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 2020 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.