AI Damage2025 GMC Acadia: common problems
Owners of the 2025 GMC Acadia filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 371 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 67
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 371
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 60% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 31% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 40 complaints (60% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Forward collision avoidance: 21 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Engine: 6 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Exterior lighting: 5 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
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 · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 67 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 40 | 1 | 8 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 21 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 58 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 58 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 15 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 8 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The center console infotainment system is too dim to see during the day leading to distracted driving during daylight hours trying to use it's controls that are very difficult to see especially while driving.
Then warning lights came on and my car told me that my brakes weren’t working and I would need to push them hard to stop. I put on my hazard lights and turned into a side street and was able to safely stop in the parking lane next to the curb. I shut my car off and then turned it back on.
Dropping my children off at school, 4 lights came on on the dash. Two messages came across my dash as well. Service esc service abs. EBCM master cylinder needed to be replaced at local GMC dealership.My brakes were failing…This is a known safety issue by GMC and there’s no recall!
Suddenly sound and banner notifications were telling me that I had no brakes. I immediately hit brake to break cruise and vehicle went faster. I managed to get cruise off from steering wheel. Put flashers on and took foot completely off gas. I was very fortunate that I didn’t hit someone or that no one hit me.
The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a computer reprogramming was performed; however, the failure persisted.
The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via an online chat. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
My vehicle stalled and shut off while I arrived at the Auto Parts store. *** Answer to Questions: Q1: Yes. My vehicle is available for inspection. It is at the dealership.
During these events, the vehicle jerks and shakes severely and fails to gain speed as expected. This creates a major safety risk at stop signs, intersections, and uphill starts because the vehicle may not move when needed and cannot keep up with traffic.
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 746 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 35% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Acadia has 184 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 67, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This Preliminary information communicates a potential chirp noise coming from the engine compartment
- This PI communicates the possibility of dtc U11E2 setting as current or history due to poor connection at…
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform any part replacements. They should follow the notes mentioned prior to anything being replaced.
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to a garage opener. Engineering is working on a new module.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path…
If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path before replacing the Image processing module.
- This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a…
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that GM is aware of the issue and the…
This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that GM is aware of the issue and the vehicle can still be driven. When a repair is available, this PI will be updated.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- A customer may complain of a vibration under heavy acceleration or turning
Dealer is advised that engineering is investigating the concern and no repairs should be performed at this time.
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians that GM is placing the B174W Front View Camera…
This preliminary information is to inform technicians that GM is placing the B174W Front View Camera Module (ACP2) on part restriction due to elevated replacement rates and ongoing engineering investigation…
NHTSA lists 371 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 2025 GMC Acadia?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, forward collision avoidance, engine. Total complaints: 67. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (28%), brake failure (12%), infotainment or screen glitches (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 371 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 2025 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 2025 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.