GMC Acadia Reliability Problems

Acadia owners have made 703 complaints over 14 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant transmission and engine concerns.

4 Common GMC Acadia Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Acadia owners have to deal with.

  3. Shift to Park Warning Message

    Leaking coolant from a cracked intake manifold gasket is an extremely common problem on most GM vehicles made from the late 90s to the mid-2000s. Most experts agree that the problem stems from GM's 'DexCool' coolant which erodes away at the…

    Continue reading article "Shift to Park Warning Message"

What Acadia Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Acadia Generations

The Acadia has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2007–2016).

Acadia Key Numbers

  1. 703 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 1,958 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 20 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Acadia Class-Action Lawsuits

The Acadia has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Dismissed

    Casey, et al., v. General Motors, LLC.

    3:20-CV-00299

    1. Dismissed

      A General Motors class action lawsuit has been dismissed after the owner of a 2014 Buick Enclave alleged a defective fuse block caused her SUV to suddenly lose power. The lawsuit says the fuse block terminals allegedly fail to maintain enough tension in these GM models.

    2. Case Filed

      A General Motors fuse block class action lawsuit alleges certain GM vehicles have problems with the tension of the terminals that can cause stalled engines and other electrical malfunctions.

Recent Acadia News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Acadia owners are tired of seeing a shift to park message when their gear shift lever is already in PARK.

    A new lawsuit says the problem prevents owners from shutting off or locking their vehicles. In addition to losing the ability to shut off and lock the SUVs, owners claim they must resort to all kinds of theatrics to get the SUVs to recognize they are in PARK. Drivers also say the batteries drain and GM has no clue how to fix the issues.

    We’ve seen complaints about this problem in both the 2017 and 2018 model years.

    keep reading article "Acadia Owners File Lawsuit Over “Shift to Park” Transmission Problems"

  2. During a crash sensing diagnostic modules (SDM) detect the impact and send a signal to the airbags to deploy.

    But according to CarComplaints.com, the SDM in the 2018 Acadia might not be powering down properly when the SUV is turned off. The module may stay deactivated when the SUV is restarted, showing an airbag warning light to the driver and a message that says “service restraint system." Additionally, a driver will hear warning chimes indicating the airbags are off.

    Basically, if it doesn’t shut down properly it won’t be able to turn on properly the next time the SUV is restarted. If that sounds familiar, GMC was part of a massive recall for similar module problems last year.…

    keep reading article "2018 Acadia’s Airbags Might Not Deploy Because of Faulty Sensing Modules"

  3. While you're probably still digesting that extra serving of holiday cookies, here's something else to chew on

    – GM says some 2017 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia SUVs will have diminished braking ability because of hydraulic fluid leaks. Engineers found an oversized front caliper piston bore had allowed the piston seal to leak hydraulic brake fluid and it was determined the oversized bore can prevent the proper compression of the caliper piston seal.

    GM says a red "BRAKE" warning light will come on when this happens. So if you see that, stop driving as soon as possible – which in these SUVs could take quite a while. The bad caliper assemblies are on Acadias built between 04/19/2016 and 04/22/2016

    keep reading article "Acadia Hydraulic Brake Fluid Leaks"

  5. Back in May GM admitted that they overstated the fuel economy on some 2016 SUVs

    and offered a compensation program as a sorry 'bout that. Owners received somewhere between $450 to $1500, based on a few factors, for their troubles. But that wasn't enough for some.

    A new lawsuit wants GM to pony up more cash for the decreased resale value of the 2016 Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC Acadia.

    "The GM lawsuit says consumers who purchased those SUVs believed the vehicles were EPA-rated at 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 miles per gallon on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 19 mpg. However, the plaintiffs say the Traverse, Enclave and Acadia are in fact rated at 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 17 mpg."

    Listen, I get it – GM advertised one thing and produced another. That's no good. But if someone is looking to buy a large used SUV, then I'm not convinced that 2 MPGs are a deal breaker.

    keep reading article "Has Acadia Lost Value Because of MPG?"

Other GMC Models