NHTSA holds 5,617 complaints about the GMC Acadia for the 2007 to 2026 model years, and two years stand out as ones to avoid: 2008 with 858 and 2017 with 703. Power train is the top complaint component in both, and 2008 is also the peak year for complaints that mention transmission problems. Air bags lead the complaints for 2014 to 2016, and recall 23V334000 covers a driver's air bag inflator that may explode during deployment on 2014 to 2017 models. NHTSA also has an open engineering analysis, EA26006, into electronic brake module failures on 2024 to 2026 models.
GMC Acadia Common Problems and Years to Avoid (NHTSA Data)
By the founder of CarWorthItPublished
Short answer
GMC Acadia years to avoid, going by NHTSA owner complaints: 2008 (858 complaints) and 2017 (703), each at least twice the median model year (333). The components owners report most are power train (1,381), electrical system (1,089) and air bags (925). NHTSA lists 37 recall campaigns and 7 defect investigations for the 2007 to 2026 model years.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls and defect investigations for the 2007 to 2026 GMC Acadia, 5,617 complaints in all, pulled September 28, 2026.
GMC Acadia complaints and recalls by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation and distinct recall campaigns, for every model year with records, counted on September 28, 2026. The median model year up to 2021 drew 333 complaints; a year is marked to avoid when it is one of the three highest and drew at least twice that. Years after 2021 have had less time to collect complaints, so they are judged only if they already pass the same line.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Recalls | Crash / fire / injury reports | Most-reported components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new to judge | 7 | 0 | 1 / 0 / 1 | Power train (3), Forward collision avoidance (2), Electrical system (2) |
| 2025 | Too new to judge | 65 | 0 | 1 / 0 / 1 | Service brakes (39), Forward collision avoidance (21), Engine (6) |
| 2024 | Too new to judge | 60 | 0 | 2 / 0 / 1 | Service brakes (25), Forward collision avoidance (11), Engine (10) |
| 2023 | Too new to judge | 43 | 4 | 3 / 1 / 3 | Engine (12), Power train (12), Electrical system (9) |
| 2022 | Too new to judge | 49 | 3 | 3 / 1 / 2 | Electrical system (15), Engine (14), Fuel/propulsion system (8) |
| 2021 | Fewest complaints | 149 | 2 | 7 / 0 / 3 | Electrical system (38), Engine (29), Fuel/propulsion system (24) |
| 2020 | Fewest complaints | 104 | 6 | 4 / 0 / 1 | Engine (28), Electrical system (28), Power train (22) |
| 2019 | Typical | 386 | 2 | 5 / 2 / 2 | Power train (154), Electrical system (105), Engine (53) |
| 2018 | Typical | 395 | 2 | 8 / 1 / 5 | Power train (163), Electrical system (108), Engine (33) |
| 2017 | Year to avoid | 703 | 4 | 10 / 2 / 9 | Power train (235), Electrical system (193), Air bags (76) |
| 2016 | Typical | 236 | 4 | 8 / 2 / 7 | Air bags (130), Steering (26), Electrical system (25) |
| 2015 | Typical | 261 | 4 | 6 / 3 / 5 | Air bags (108), Steering (33), Electrical system (32) |
| 2014 | Above median | 467 | 6 | 15 / 2 / 12 | Air bags (246), Electrical system (91), Engine (46) |
| 2013 | Fewest complaints | 140 | 3 | 5 / 8 / 4 | Electrical system (39), Air bags (32), Power train (27) |
| 2012 | Typical | 302 | 5 | 8 / 2 / 15 | Steering (46), Structure (44), Power train (43) |
| 2011 | Typical | 280 | 5 | 8 / 10 / 9 | Steering (64), Engine (52), Electrical system (47) |
| 2010 | Typical | 348 | 4 | 5 / 8 / 7 | Steering (148), Engine (74), Electrical system (45) |
| 2009 | Typical | 333 | 7 | 8 / 14 / 15 | Steering (112), Power train (72), Engine (67) |
| 2008 | Year to avoid | 858 | 5 | 22 / 13 / 24 | Power train (279), Air bags (154), Electrical system (154) |
| 2007 | Above median | 431 | 5 | 13 / 7 / 11 | Power train (185), Steering (76), Air bags (65) |
Counts are raw totals and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so a big-selling year draws more complaints than a slow one. Crash, fire and injury columns count complaints that report one, as filed by the owner.
Check the value and recall status of a specific GMC Acadia
Model-year counts cannot tell you about the car in front of you. Enter its 17-character VIN for the free report: the exact year, trim and engine it was built with, the safety recalls NHTSA lists for its year, make and model, its crash-test ratings and running costs. No account. Then, from $2.99, see what that GMC Acadia is worth at its mileage near your ZIP code, with the listings behind the number, and whether the asking price is fair. The $6.99 Full Report also checks that VIN for recalls still outstanding.
Transmission complaints and engine compartment fires on the 2007 and 2008 models
Power train is the top complaint component for 2007 (185) and 2008 (279), and 415 of the 803 complaints that mention transmission problems are for those two years (160 and 255). The 2008 model also leads complaints mentioning the check-engine light (83), stalling or loss of power while driving (58) and fire, smoke or a burning smell (38). NHTSA's engineering analysis EA08010 into non-crash engine compartment fires on 2007 and 2008 models led to recall 08V441000, where a short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. A follow-up recall, 10V240000 (2007 to 2009), cites new reports of thermal incidents after a fuse was added. These are raw counts, not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
Steering and headlight complaints, 2008 to 2012
Steering is the top complaint component for every year from 2009 to 2012, peaking at 148 for 2010, and 904 complaints mention steering, most often for 2010 (150), 2008 (137) and 2009 (109). Complaints that mention headlights number 261, with 2008 (54), 2009 (35) and 2011 (31) the top years. A defect petition on loss of headlamp illumination, DP12003, covered 2007 to 2009 models and closed in 2014 without a recall campaign.
Air bag complaints and inflator recalls, 2014 to 2017
Air bags are the top component for 2014 (246), 2015 (108) and 2016 (130), and 232 of the 953 complaints that mention air bags are for 2014. Two recalls cover a driver's air bag inflator that may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect: 23V334000 for 2014 to 2017 models and 22V246000 for 2015. Recall 21V246000 covers side curtain air bags that may not be properly attached on 2011 to 2016 models.
The 2017 model: power train and electrical complaints
The 2017 Acadia has 703 complaints, led by power train (235) and electrical system (193). It is the top year for complaints mentioning brakes (63) and the infotainment screen, radio or backup camera (52). Four recalls apply to 2017 models: 17V516000 (2017 to 2018), where the right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving; 18V358000 (2017 to 2018), where the high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange; 16V802000, for front brake calipers that may leak brake fluid; and 23V334000.
What to check on a used GMC Acadia
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, which lists any recall not yet repaired on that car (see what else a free VIN check shows) and, on a 2014 to 2017 model, confirm air bag inflator recall 23V334000 was completed.
- On a 2007 to 2009 model, confirm recalls 08V441000 and 10V240000 were done; on a 2007 or 2008, watch how the transmission shifts and make sure the check-engine light is off.
- On a 2009 to 2014 model, confirm seat belt cable recall 14V266000. NHTSA's engineering analysis EA20002 into anchor cable failures on those years closed in 2024 with campaign 21V245.
- On a 2009 to 2012 model, check the steering and headlights on the test drive.
- On a 2017 or 2018, confirm driveshaft recall 17V516000 and fuel pump recall 18V358000 were completed.
- On a 2024 to 2026 model, check whether EA26006 has led to a recall by the time you buy.
- Before you settle on a price, check the seller's asking price against the GMC Acadias for sale near you with the used car price check.
Before you make an offer, check what a specific GMC Acadia is worth by VIN. The CarWorthIt valuation, from $2.99, prices that VIN at its mileage near your ZIP code against cars for sale.
What GMC Acadia owners report most
NHTSA files each complaint under one or more component categories. Across all 5,617 GMC Acadia complaints, these are the most common:
| NHTSA component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 1,381 | 24.6% |
| Electrical system | 1,089 | 19.4% |
| Air bags | 925 | 16.5% |
| Steering | 808 | 14.4% |
| Engine | 745 | 13.3% |
| Exterior lighting | 282 | 5.0% |
| Service brakes | 257 | 4.6% |
| Structure | 254 | 4.5% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 198 | 3.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 157 | 2.8% |
The categories are broad, so the owners' own descriptions were also searched for specific symptoms. These are counts of complaints whose text mentions each one, not diagnoses, and one complaint can mention several.
| What the complaint describes | Complaints | Share | Model years with the most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 953 | 17.0% | 2014 (232), 2008 (184), 2016 (117) |
| Steering | 904 | 16.1% | 2010 (150), 2008 (137), 2009 (109) |
| Transmission problems | 803 | 14.3% | 2008 (255), 2007 (160), 2017 (60) |
| Brakes | 436 | 7.8% | 2017 (63), 2008 (57), 2025 (37) |
| Check-engine light | 403 | 7.2% | 2008 (83), 2007 (48), 2010 (44) |
| Electrical faults or battery drain | 367 | 6.5% | 2008 (75), 2014 (45), 2017 (40) |
| Stalling or loss of power while driving | 315 | 5.6% | 2008 (58), 2014 (52), 2007 (27) |
| Headlights | 261 | 4.6% | 2008 (54), 2009 (35), 2011 (31) |
| Infotainment screen, radio or backup camera | 249 | 4.4% | 2017 (52), 2018 (22), 2019 (22) |
| Hesitation, jerking or surging | 241 | 4.3% | 2012 (29), 2007 (28), 2017 (28) |
GMC Acadia recalls (37 campaigns)
Every recall campaign NHTSA lists for the GMC Acadia, newest first, with the model years it covers and NHTSA's own description of the defect, shortened. A recall on the model is not proof a given car was affected or left unrepaired: check a specific car by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in the free CarWorthIt VIN report.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V681000 | October 12, 2023 | 2023 | Visibility | The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body. A windshield that is not properly bonded may detach during a crash and increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V334000 | May 10, 2023 | 2014 to 2017 | Air bags | The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 23V172000 | March 16, 2023 | 2023 | Power train | The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission. A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. |
| 23V043000 | February 2, 2023 | 2023 | Power train | The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate. Separation between the half-shaft and transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. |
| 22V709000 | September 22, 2022 | 2020 to 2021 | Back over prevention | The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently. An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V708000 | September 22, 2022 | 2023 | Equipment | The certification label located on the driver's side B-pillar contains tire size information that may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." |
| 22V446000 | June 23, 2022 | 2022 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel tank rollover valve may not provide a proper seal in the event of a rollover crash. A fuel tank rollover valve that does not properly seal can result in a fuel leak during a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 22V427000 | June 16, 2022 | 2022 | Suspension | The left-rear suspension toe link may have been tightened improperly, which could result in a loose or separated toe link. A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V246000 | April 14, 2022 | 2015 | Air bags | The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 21V702000 | September 10, 2021 | 2022 | Air bags | The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) may have been left in "manufacturing mode" and not activated at the assembly plant prior to shipment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." |
| 21V422000 | June 3, 2021 | 2021 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated. Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 21V246000 | April 8, 2021 | 2011 to 2016 | Air bags | The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 21V115000 | February 25, 2021 | 2019 to 2020 | Tires | The affected tires were cured for too long during production. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. |
| 20V684000 | November 5, 2020 | 2020 | Tires | The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured. Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. |
| 20V668000 | October 29, 2020 | 2019 to 2020 | Power train | The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Show the other 22 GMC Acadia recalls
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V639000 | October 15, 2020 | 2020 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine. |
| 20V446000 | July 30, 2020 | 2020 | Air bags | The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment. |
| 18V358000 | May 31, 2018 | 2017 to 2018 | Fuel system, gasoline | The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 17V516000 | August 22, 2017 | 2017 to 2018 | Power train | The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving. If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V802000 | November 4, 2016 | 2017 | Service brakes, hydraulic | The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak. If there is a brake fluid leak, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V833000 | December 11, 2015 | 2016 | Seats | The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location. If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury. |
| 15V609000 | September 29, 2015 | 2016 | Visibility | Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used. A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire. |
| 15V415000 | June 30, 2015 | 2007 to 2012 | Structure | The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall. |
| 15V044000 | January 28, 2015 | 2015 | Tires | These vehicles are equipped with tires that may experience tread cracking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less." |
| 14V614000 | October 1, 2014 | 2014 | Electrical system | In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short. If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 14V266000 | May 20, 2014 | 2009 to 2014 | Seat belts | In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time. If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash. |
| 14V223000 | April 30, 2014 | 2014 | Electrical system | In the affected vehicles, the engine control module (ECM) software may cause the fuel gauge to read inaccurately. An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 14V118000 | March 17, 2014 | 2008 to 2013 | Air bags | In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash. |
| 14V092000 | February 21, 2014 | 2014 | Power train | In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." |
| 12V151000 | April 9, 2012 | 2011 to 2012 | Visibility | Snow or ice buildup on the windshield or on the wiper may restrict the movement of the wiper arm, causing the wiper arm to loosen and cause the wiper to become inoperative. |
| 10V375000 | August 12, 2010 | 2009 to 2010 | Seat belts | The second row seat side trim shield restricts the upward rotation of the safety belt buckle when the seat back is returned to a seating position after being folded flat. If the buckle contacts the seat frame, additional effort is required to return the seat to a seating position. |
| 10V240000 | June 4, 2010 | 2007 to 2009 | Electrical system | However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. |
| 09V073000 | March 6, 2009 | 2009 | Power train | These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and FMVSS 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. |
| 08V615000 | November 24, 2008 | 2009 | Seat belts | These vehicles may have been built with a safety belt buckle in the second or third row that is missing a rivet. In a vehicle crash, if the rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the mounting strap, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger. |
| 08V441000 | August 28, 2008 | 2007 to 2008 | Electrical system | A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 08V410000 | August 14, 2008 | 2007 to 2008 | Visibility | If a buildup of snow or ice on the windshield or on the wipers restricts the movement of the wiper arm, the windshield wiper linkage may become detached from the motor shaft and the wipers may become inoperative. |
| 07V062000 | February 21, 2007 | 2007 | Air bags | On certain vehicles, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), which controls the function of front air bags, may not operate properly. As a result, the front air bags may fail to deploy in a frontal crash. |
NHTSA defect investigations
Investigations are opened when NHTSA sees a possible safety defect, often from complaints like the ones above. PE is a preliminary evaluation, EA an engineering analysis, RQ a recall query into whether an earlier recall went far enough, DP a defect petition and AQ an audit query.
| Number | Opened | Status | GMC Acadia years | Subject | Recall campaign linked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA26006 | August 21, 2026 | Open | 2024 to 2026 | Electronic Brake Module Component Failure | No |
| PE22006 | July 22, 2022 | Closed November 21, 2022 | 2020 to 2021 | Rear-View Camera Failure | 22V709000 |
| EA20002 | August 31, 2020 | Closed August 30, 2024 | 2009 to 2014 | Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure | 21V245 |
| RQ19003 | May 28, 2019 | Closed August 31, 2020 | 2009 to 2014 | Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure | No |
| DP12003 | June 4, 2012 | Closed July 24, 2014 | 2007 to 2009 | Loss of Headlamp Illumination | No |
| AQ10001 | November 18, 2010 | Closed December 28, 2015 | 2009 | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit | No |
| EA08010 | June 12, 2008 | Closed September 8, 2008 | 2007 to 2008 | NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES | 08V441000 |
How these numbers were counted
Complaints: NHTSA's complaints API for NHTSA model names ACADIA, ACADIA DENALI, ACADIA ICE, ACADIA LIMITED, each complaint counted once per model year; hybrid and plug-in versions, which NHTSA files separately, are not included. Recalls: distinct campaign numbers from NHTSA's recalls databasefor the same names and years. Investigations: NHTSA's defect investigation file. All pulled September 28, 2026. These are counts of reports, not failure rates, and they say nothing about any individual car. For that, check the VIN.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the GMC Acadia?
Power train is the top NHTSA complaint component with 1,381 complaints, followed by electrical system (1,089), air bags (925), steering (808) and engine (745). The most frequent themes are complaints that mention air bags (953), steering (904) and transmission problems (803).
What GMC Acadia years should I avoid?
The years to avoid are 2008, with 858 complaints, and 2017, with 703, both more than twice the median of 333 per model year. The next highest is 2014 with 467, and no 2022 or newer model has reached twice the median.
How many recalls does the GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA lists 37 recall campaigns for the Acadia. One to confirm on any 2014 to 2017 model is 23V334000, for a driver's air bag inflator that may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the GMC Acadia?
Yes. Engineering analysis EA26006, Electronic Brake Module Component Failure, was opened on August 21, 2026, covers 2024 to 2026 models and is still open. Service brakes are the top complaint component for 2024 (25 complaints) and 2025 (39).