GMC Acadia Complaints

5,595 consumer complaints on file.

#11738492May 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Back up camera randomly stops working (black screen-completely gone, or blue screen). Dash will randomly dim on its own and does not go back to normal unless car is shut off and turned back on. adaptive cruise control will disengage for no apparent reason. stabilitrak will flash on screen but no other indicators or reasons; nothing happens with car. Occasionally the blind spot mirror lights will not light up when vehicle is present.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738561May 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When the car was parked and turned off, I received a notice to "SHIFT TO PARK" even though the car was in park.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738057May 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
For the last 6 months, I keep getting a "shift to Park" message on my dashboard indicating that my vehicle is not in park (in which it is). The problem is getting wors, so I called GMC on 5/14/26 to inquire and was informed that my VIN number WAS not include in the resent class action lawsuit for this issue. I then found out by searching myself on line for other complaints that GMC is very aware of this situation and yet refuses to fix the issue free of charge to customers. According to TSB 19-NA-206, t does list my year , make and model of vehicle affected by this faulty part. On 5.15.26, I called the dealership to inquire and was informed that my VIN was not covered under warranty (which I had already known), and that that service I would have to pay lots of money out of pocket for it. The service tech did look in the system and claims (without me even knowing that they had did that repair already....He lied I'm for sure). I informed him well if they did repair that part, and I'm still getting an error message about the same thing, clearly its faulty and the dealership should be responsible for fixing it. This was not the case as I was informed it would have to be out of my pocket. This mess is unfair! GMC is well aware of this faulty pat on vehicles, and to refuse to fix it free of charge is just down right hurtful! GMS is responsible for repairing this part on everyone's vehicle as it is a hazard to everyone and the community to have a vehicle unstable to be able to slide away from a parked position. This is such a road hazard, something has to be done about it. It's not far that I am expected to pay for these faulty wiring costs out my pocket when its a faulty issue GMC is very well aware of.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738131May 15, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a “Steering Assist is Reduced ” warning message unexpectedly displayed. The contact also stated that the thermostat became inoperable. Additionally, the thermostat information was no longer displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 48,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737605May 13, 2026
AIR BAGS
Lifegate wont open all the way airbag light is on and truck shimmering when I drive it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737716May 13, 2026
STEERING
I keep getting this warning "Action Required Steering Assist Is Reduced Drive With Care" . This warning has occurred randomly for several years. Recently, after getting this warning the check engine light came on and the engine temp gauge stopped indicating. I have seen a bulletin from GM that this condition is covered under a 'special warranty extension' for a single model year, but it is common over at least 5 model years. This should be a recall because of the steering assist issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737296May 12, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Driver's side seat belt lower attachment point. Has a flexible cable swage attachment to the lower seat belt and. This braided steel cable has failed at the swage. No accident involved. Just a fatigue failure over time. But since this is a safety system, I thought I should report it. It seems very similar to the earlier seat belt failures on the same GMC platform. That recall is included as a reference document
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737300May 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
This is a very known issue that has been reoccurring with GMC Acadia. The torque converter slipping. That cost alone is over $7.000 for the transmission. I am still making monthly payments for my 2021 Acadia. With rising cost above the board GMC could have resolved this issue before releasing this vehicle to the public for purchase. Only had this vehicle for 2 years and already a new transmission is needed. Other individuals i personally know have the same issue. From my research GMC is aware and fails to do a recall on this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736860May 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The relay for the fan at the top of the fuse/relay box on the right side when facing the front of the vehicle. (under the hood) Gets hot and blows the relay and melts the spot where the relay prongs plug in. Causing the need for a new fuse box and circuit problems within the fuse box connectors. The fans, specifically the a/c fan does not kick on when turning on the a/c and the low speed fan does not kick on at all until the secondary temp fan kicks on after the temperature raises past the normal operating range. Which an overheating engine is bad for all parts of the engine which can and sooner or later will lead to a catastrophic failure putting the operator and other motorists life's at risk.This time it created a small fire that was extinguished only because the fuse box cover was off and I was looking at it as it happened, putting the cover back on extinguished the fire. This is the third time it has happened with the exact same problem. You tube is full of videos with the exact same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736892May 10, 2026
ENGINE
Coolant temperature sensor failed - it is still in the engine. the fan stays on high all the time. And the AC does not want to turn on. The car is extremely hot to drive in during the summer months. I have to transport persons who are seniors and in their mid 80s. It is not safe to drive this car in the summer. I can't tell if its over heating or what is happening. The coolant temperature gauge does not work. The dealer said my car is out of warranty and that the AC will not start until the sensor is replaced. I said that it has less than 50,000 miles. They will not help me. The vehicle has not been inspected anyone other than the service mechanic. The engine light start coming on about a month ago. I drove first to an autoparts store to see if they could help. this is the first time I learned that it could be a bad sensor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736917May 10, 2026
ENGINE
A common issue in GMC vehicles (particularly 2017–2020 Acadias) is a "Steering Assist Reduced" warning message triggered by a failed engine coolant thermostat that gets stuck open. This causes the engine to run too cold (P0128 code), causing the computer to reduce steering assist (which is dangerous) and run fans on high, also the air conditioner fails. I have seen many complaints about this and it seems to be a manufacturers problem. GMC put out a repair bulletin for the 2021 models with this issue. It's time to address these other years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736741May 9, 2026
ENGINE
I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing mechanical and electrical issues with my 2021 GMC ACADIA that have been occurring intermittently for approximately the past year and a half. The primary issues involve the coolant temperature sensor, thermostat system, engine cooling fan, and dashboard warning messages. The vehicle repeatedly experiences problems related to the coolant temperature sensor and thermostat. During these episodes, the engine cooling fan continues running even after the vehicle has been turned off, sometimes for an extended period of time. In addition, the dashboard frequently displays the warning message: “Steering Assist is Reduced – Drive With Care.” These warning messages and symptoms occur off and on without consistent resolution. The vehicle has already undergone repairs, including replacement of the radiator, yet the problems continue to return. Despite previous service attempts, the underlying issue has not been permanently corrected. The recurring nature of these problems raises concerns about the reliability, safety, and dependability of the vehicle, especially considering the steering assist warning and possible overheating or electrical system concerns connected to the cooling system malfunction. The repeated failures have caused significant inconvenience, concern for safe operation of the vehicle, loss of confidence in the vehicle’s reliability, and ongoing disruption due to repeated repair needs. I am requesting a thorough diagnosis and permanent repair of the coolant temperature sensor, thermostat, cooling fan system, and any related electrical or control module issues contributing to these recurring problems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736675May 8, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Brake module malfunction Codes: “service ESC” “break assist failure. Press hard to break. Speed limited”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736252May 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am getting the 'SHIFT TO PARK' error message when I put the vehicle in park. When I looked up the error this is what I got... but I don't see a recall for my vehicle. The "Shift to Park" message in GMC Acadias (2017–2019, primarily) is a common, known issue caused by a faulty microswitch in the shifter assembly that fails to recognize when the car is in Park. This defect prevents the engine from shutting off, drains the battery, and requires a replacement of the shifter switch or assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736208May 6, 2026
ENGINE
Bought the acadia in june of 2021, in december of 2022 had to have the radiator replaced due to it leaking. This was found on routine maintenance and was not having any issues whatsoever. I received no alerts on my dash such as a check engine light. Fast Forward to March 2026, I received a message of "steering assist reduced. drive with care." The engine seemed like it was still running despite the car being off. This was happening intermittently and definitely not every time I drove. I made an appointment for the regular oil change and to have this message investigated. Initially they told me it was the temperature regulator, however, they put a new regulator on and tried to re-pressurize the system. The system failed to re-pressurize due to the radiator leaking AGAIN. Of course, there was a 2 year warranty on the radiator after it was replaced initially and now we are about a 1.5 years outside the warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735849May 5, 2026
STEERING
My check engine light is on there is a note that says steering assist is reduced. I took it to O’Reilly’s to get it scanned. The code that comes up is P0128 indicating that the coolant thermostat has a fault. There are other GMC‘s that have a recall for this, but apparently not mine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735634May 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the instrument panel went blank before the panel began to flash when it returned. The contact then stated that several various warning messages began to appear all of which were related to the vehicle's electrical features. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a code reader found no defects with the vehicle. Close to a week after the initial failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts as previous failure returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. Upon his own inspection and research regarding the vehicle, the contact linked the failure to the vehicle's BCM(Body Control Module). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735300May 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I have a 2018 GMC Acadia SLT with the thermometer and temperature sensor that throws the steering assist error message, engine fan turns on and AC shuts off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735258May 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The camera system has failed. The screen is black and there is an exclamation point and a camera on the screen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735163May 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The torque converter has been going since before I bought this vehicle. When the RPMs are between one and two, the entire vehicle starts shaking and there is no acceleration. This is a huge safety concern, especially with traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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