AI Damage2021 GMC Acadia: common problems
Owners of the 2021 GMC Acadia filed 154 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 847 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 154
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 847
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 39 complaints (25% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 210.
- Engine: 29 complaints (19% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 85.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 26 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Service brakes: 18 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Powertrain: 17 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 100.
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 cyl
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 154 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 39 | 4 | 210 |
| Engine | 29 | 2 | 85 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 26 | 0 | 18 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 1 | 32 |
| Powertrain | 17 | 1 | 100 |
| Steering | 17 | 0 | 19 |
| Air bags | 10 | 4 | 11 |
| Backover prevention | 7 | 1 | 37 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 27 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 136 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 21 |
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 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.
Infotainment systems reads error with the SD card that Issue progressed I called dealer finally I get service appointment after strike and my vehicle sits at Roger’s Pontiac GMC [address] Chicago [ZIP] for 10 hours now I placed thread around the crowl and by knob.
While driving vehicle stalled multiple times in the middle of the road, with service transmission and engine light coming on, causing unsafe conditions, causing accident and leaving passengers stranded. Battery being drained and needing to be replaced multiple times within 2 years.
No medical attention was received. No police report was filed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to their location to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was awaiting a tow truck and had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
inspected by GMC Repair shop Vibrating noise started, then a few days later the smell of gas, and now yes the Engine light is on. This has been on going for about 3 weeks.
My 2021 GMC Acadia steering wheel dangerously stiffened while I was turning off the road into a busy shopping parking lot making it difficult to continue my turn. Having to put on my brakes sharply as to not collide with the out going traffic.
My 2021 GMC Acadia that has 63,768 miles on it was idling Wednesday 9/30 when it died and would not start back we had to have it towed to a shop to get it checked out and it was throwing the P023F code for the fuel pump control module that has a recall bulletin for the same thing make model problem and under their…
While driving the brake vacuum pump exploded leading to catastrophic brake failure. My husband was driving and was able to stand on the brakes to get the car to stop, but had i been driving, I am not strong enough to have stopped the car. I have 3 children with my youngest being 1.
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 416 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Acadia has 184 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 154, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- Improvements to OnStar functionality
- 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
- Improvements to OnStar functionality
During the update process, your radio may stay on up to 5 minutes after you exit the vehicle. This is expected behavior when an update package is onboard the vehicle. Do not service your vehicle during installation.
- Emission Recall
General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall. Certain vehicles listed above may have a condition which can cause the fuel pump power control module to fail. If this were to occur, fuel flow to the…
NHTSA lists 847 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.
- I Took a GAMBLE On This 2021 GMC Acadia... And It PAID OFF!amount per author: 4,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 154. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (22%), fuel system, fuel smell (16%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 847 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 2021 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 2021 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.