GMC Acadia Problems by Year
NHTSA has 5,574 owner complaints and 38 safety recalls on file for the GMC Acadia, across 20 model years (2007–2026). The 2008 model year has the most complaints (854). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
GMC Acadia years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Acadia year: 2008, 2017. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2008 Acadia: 854 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2017 Acadia: 705 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2014 Acadia: 463 complaints, 6 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2026 Acadia: 9 complaints, 1 recall
- 2023 Acadia: 45 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2022 Acadia: 49 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common GMC Acadia problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 1,377 | 20 | 29 |
| Electrical System problems | 1,083 | 20 | 13 |
| Air Bags problems | 908 | 19 | 62 |
| Steering problems | 809 | 19 | 22 |
| Engine problems | 746 | 20 | 16 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 278 | 19 | 2 |
| Structure problems | 250 | 19 | 10 |
| Service Brakes problems | 242 | 20 | 16 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems | 196 | 15 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 156 | 19 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 154 | 17 | 1 |
| Seat Belts problems | 102 | 17 | 7 |
| Suspension | 89 | 16 | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 76 | 12 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 71 | 12 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 71 | 14 | 2 |
| Seats | 68 | 15 | 7 |
| Visibility | 67 | 12 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 58 | 17 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 44 | 14 | 0 |
| Wheels | 38 | 13 | 2 |
| Tires | 35 | 13 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 32 | 12 | 2 |
| Equipment | 22 | 9 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 19 | 10 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 18 | 12 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 17 | 7 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
GMC Acadia problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2019: power train (154) · electrical system (105) · engine (53)
- 2018: power train (163) · electrical system (109)
- 2017: power train (236) · electrical system (193) · air bags (76) · engine (62)
- 2016: air bags (130)
- 2015: air bags (108)
- 2014: air bags (246) · electrical system (90)
- 2011: steering (64) · engine (52)
- 2010: steering (148) · engine (74)
- 2009: steering (112) · power train (72) · engine (67)
- 2008: power train (279) · electrical system (153) · air bags (150) · steering (133) · engine (124) · structure (87) · electronic stability control (esc) (57)
- 2007: power train (184) · steering (76) · air bags (64) · electrical system (57)
All GMC Acadia model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acadia | 9 | 1 | 5★ | Electrical System | |
| 2025 Acadia | 67 | 0 | 5★ | Service Brakes | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Acadia | 61 | 0 | 5★ | Service Brakes | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Acadia | 45 | 4 | 5★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Acadia | 49 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Acadia | 151 | 2 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2020 Acadia | 106 | 6 | 5★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Acadia | 387 | 2 | 5★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2018 Acadia | 396 | 2 | 5★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2017 Acadia | 705 | 4 | 5★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Acadia | 236 | 4 | 5★ | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2015 Acadia | 243 | 4 | 5★ | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2014 Acadia | 463 | 6 | 5★ | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2013 Acadia | 135 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2012 Acadia | 296 | 5 | 5★ | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 Acadia | 269 | 5 | 5★ | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2010 Acadia | 343 | 4 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2009 Acadia | 331 | 7 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2008 Acadia | 854 | 5 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 Acadia | 428 | 5 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
More from GMC: all GMC models · GMC VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Acadia years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2008 (854), 2017 (705) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Acadia year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the GMC Acadia?
Power Train, with 1,377 complaints across 20 model years.
How many recalls does the GMC Acadia have?
38 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.