GMC Acadia Engine Problems
Owners have filed 746 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the GMC Acadia across 20 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (124). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (14% of reports).
- 746engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 16mention a crash
- 12mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $3,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 104 of 746 complaints (14%)
- Traction control: mentioned in 59 of 746 complaints (8%)
- Shift park: mentioned in 43 of 746 complaints (6%)
- Assist reduced: mentioned in 40 of 746 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the GMC Acadia at $3,500, and half of them between $1,550 and $5,200.
Based on 34 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 445 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 746 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 22 a fire, 12 an injury.
GMC Acadia engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acadia | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2025 Acadia | 6 | 9% | — |
| 2024 Acadia | 10 | 16% | — |
| 2023 Acadia | 13 | 28% | 13,125 |
| 2022 Acadia | 14 | 29% | 18,000 |
| 2021 Acadia | 29 | 19% | 34,573 |
| 2020 Acadia | 29 | 27% | 31,850 |
| 2019 Acadia | 53 | 14% | 39,998 |
| 2018 Acadia | 34 | 9% | 23,465 |
| 2017 Acadia | 62 | 9% | 38,538 |
| 2016 Acadia | 13 | 6% | 31,300 |
| 2015 Acadia | 18 | 7% | 19,430 |
| 2014 Acadia | 45 | 10% | 65,000 |
| 2013 Acadia | 21 | 16% | 77,697 |
| 2012 Acadia | 35 | 12% | 95,500 |
| 2011 Acadia | 52 | 19% | 80,637 |
| 2010 Acadia | 74 | 22% | 103,000 |
| 2009 Acadia | 67 | 20% | 98,500 |
| 2008 Acadia | 124 | 15% | 97,970 |
| 2007 Acadia | 46 | 11% | 86,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the GMC Acadia. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Steering assist warning. Thermostat and temp control sensor changed twice in 2 years.
Engine thermostat not functioning properly, therefore the display stayed on cold and would not show temp. It also cause the fan to run fast to cool engine. The AC would not cool and reduce power steering assist error message comes on. This is a known problem by GM and there is a recall for this…
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at 2-3 MPH, the brake pedal became firm for 3â5 seconds. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The messages âLow Engine Powerâ and "Service ESC" were momentarily…
I get error electric Steering assist reduced or unavailable drive with care at around 84234 miles on my car . Upon looking up problem on Internet it has to do with the Thermostat. I also found where Gm has a bulletin N252508350 which only seems to cover certain vehicles with the same problem. This…
Engine cooling system malfunction, Ive had to receive maintenance on my Acadia 2025 elevation 3 times in the pass 2 months for the same issue, The coolant system. This is becoming a reoccurring issue that needs to be investigated thoroughly. Ive had to get a rental car all 3 times, and this is…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Acadias have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 746 owner complaints about engine for the GMC Acadia. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Acadia engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the GMC Acadia?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,500 (half paid between $1,550 and $5,200), from 34 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the GMC Acadia?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 104 of 746 complaints, followed by “traction control” (59).
Other GMC Acadia problems
- Power Train problems (1,378)
- Electrical System problems (1,084)
- Air Bags problems (908)
- Steering problems (809)
- Exterior Lighting problems (278)
- Structure problems (250)
- Service Brakes problems (242)
- Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems (196)
See all GMC Acadia problems.