GMC Acadia Complaints

5,595 consumer complaints on file.

#11771044October 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle Information: 2023 GMC Acadia VIN: [XXX] Description of Safety Defect: While operating the vehicle, a sudden and total loss of propulsion occurred without warning. The transmission completely disengaged from the drive gears while the vehicle was in motion. When depressing the gas pedal, the engine freely revved up to approximately 3,000 RPM, but no power or torque was transferred to the wheels, leaving the vehicle entirely stranded and unable to move. This severe mechanical failure matches the exact symptoms, hazards, and mechanical behavior detailed in NHTSA Campaign Number 23V172000 (General Motors Safety Recall N222389310) regarding a dimensionally incorrect transmission sun gear that causes driver-side half-shaft separation. My specific VIN is currently excluded from the active recall population, despite experiencing the identical manufacturing defect and catastrophic loss of motive power. This creates a severe highway safety hazard and a rolling/rollaway risk. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate an expansion of the recall population for the 2023 GMC Acadia to include this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770914October 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Im assuming a torque converter shudder is happening and RPMs bounce. Its pretty random. Happens before shifts after shifts and while cruising at a steady speed. Drain and fill did not fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770938October 13, 2026
STEERING
My 2021 GMC Acadia steering wheel dangerously stiffened while I was turning off the road into a busy shopping parking lot making it difficult to continue my turn. Having to put on my brakes sharply as to not collide with the out going traffic. There was no warning prior to the incident and had to make a quick safety judgement call and hoped the steering wheel would turn. Only after does the warning come on saying there is an issue with the steering assist and to drive carefully! The following morning I took it to Eagle Buick/GMC. There the tech experienced the same. I was told the parts for the repair would take around a week with an estimated cost of $1604.25. I had to carefully drive back with traffic and unable to continue my days work. As I look up this issue I am finding other GMC vehicles with the same dangerous issues that should not wait until it causes an accident, injury or even death. Please make this an important priority as the occurrence has no warning and after it gives only a drive carefully?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770659October 12, 2026
ENGINE
Steering assist warning. Thermostat and temp control sensor changed twice in 2 years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770132October 9, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The center console infotainment system is too dim to see during the day leading to distracted driving during daylight hours trying to use it's controls that are very difficult to see especially while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769912October 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
My driver side front control arm, and stabilizer bar snapped on me while on the highway without warning causing me to crash. I'm blessed to be alive.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11768954October 5, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2021 GMC Acadia that has 63,768 miles on it was idling Wednesday 9/30 when it died and would not start back we had to have it towed to a shop to get it checked out and it was throwing the P023F code for the fuel pump control module that has a recall bulletin for the same thing make model problem and under their 80,000 miles but recall not on my vin number and GM is refusing to pay for it. It's going to cost me 937.27 to get it fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768830October 4, 2026
STEERING
Thermostat housing failed. Got the message of "Steering Assist Is Reduced – Drive With Care". Have seen this numerous times in message boards. Has been reproduced. Safety is put at risk with the steering assist reduced. Mine happened on an highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768747October 3, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving my car and my brakes felt weird. Then warning lights came on and my car told me that my brakes weren’t working and I would need to push them hard to stop. I put on my hazard lights and turned into a side street and was able to safely stop in the parking lane next to the curb. I shut my car off and then turned it back on. At that point, everything looked normal except for the engine light was on. I started driving again and within less than five minutes, the brakes went out again. I again was able to make it to a side street and stop, but was in a no parking zone. I was able to slowly make it into a parking lot and safely into a spot.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768312October 1, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving my 2023 GMC Acadia, I experienced intermittent abnormal brake pedal behavior. When applying the brakes normally, the pedal would travel partway and then suddenly encounter resistance/catch accompanied by a click, causing the vehicle to brake abruptly and unexpectedly. The vehicle remained straight, but the braking action was significantly harder than intended. This problem has created a serious safety concern. On one occasion, the unexpected braking behavior nearly resulted in my vehicle being rear-ended. I had the vehicle inspected at a GMC dealership, as well as by the dealer that I purchased the vehicle from. The problem was initially intermittent and was not reproduced during the first two inspections. I recorded a video of the braking behavior to document the issue. The vehicle has now been evaluated by GMC for a second time, which states that a failure has been diagnosed and that the vehicle requires replacement of GM part number 85718957. The estimated total repair cost is approximately $3,030. I contacted General Motors regarding assistance with the repair, but GM declined to provide goodwill assistance despite this sounding like a broader issue. I am concerned that this may represent a safety defect involving the vehicle's braking system and/or brake assist system. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA has a record of the failure and can consider it along with other reports involving similar braking-system issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768037September 30, 2026
STEERING, ENGINE
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 issue on many of these vehicles, other GMC and Cadillac vehicles. Our vehicle should be added to the recall list!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768121September 30, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
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 3–5 seconds. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The messages “Low Engine Power” and "Service ESC" were momentarily displayed after the failure. The vehicle was shifted into park(P), and the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and retrieved DTC: C05CC. The dealer was notified of the failure via a voicemail message. The failure mileage was 80,606.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767738September 29, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear after parking in the McDonald's drive thru. The vehicle was shifted into gear and resumed normal operations after an extended period. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle operated as designed, and no repairs were needed. The failed had occurred in 2022, and the gear shifter and the drive shaft were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767817September 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2026 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that there were software updates perform on the vehicle and the vehicle experienced issues with a module failure with reading the information downloaded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where technicians restarted and successfully corrected the module for that specific update. However, a much larger software update failed to download or update properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that there have been many failures with the software updates. The dealer confirm the failure and the repair was pending. The failure mileage was 900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767917September 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
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 seems to happen at all different miles driven on vehicles. I don't see how Gm can get away with only fixing certain vehicles with this safety problem when it shuts down the electric steering assist . This problem from what I can find on the internet is common to all years from 2017 up in Acadia with the 3.6L engine . The Thermostats seem to be defective and I feel Gm needs to address this problem for all of these vehicles . Not just for there special bulletin N252508350 which covers some vehicles in 2021with 3.6L engines. If the engine design was like the old engines and easy to replace the Thermostat by just taking out 2 bolts , I would say no problem I will replace it .But when you have to take half the Engine apart just to replace a 20.00 part that is defective that affects the steering of the vehicle, they need to have a safety recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767507September 28, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
On September 26th, 2026 I got a random notification about needing to get my rear left turn signal checked out as it still functions but blinks rapidly. Today, September 28th, 2026, I visited my local dealership for the issue and was informed that they had received a bulletin regarding the concern but that instead of covering the defect tied to a "software anomaly", I was told it would be around $600 to replace. I feel this is a strong enough safety issue that should be considered for a recall as this is a widespread problem and should be covered by GM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767037September 25, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Purchased NEW 2026 GMC Acadia on XXX XXX - Fastened seat belts, Started vehicle in a driveway, Switched into forward gear and Vehicle lurched forward while Depressing the brake with no braking action occurring (BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR). Shut off engine and depressed the Emergency Brake Button to stop the vehicle. Vehicle struck another vehicle upon stopping causing several thousand dollars damage. XXX - Notified [XXX]/[XXX] the dealer, no help. Called GM and filed a Case #XXX. Vehicle inspected by GM on XXX. No response forthcoming from GM or the dealer yet after 6 weeks since the incident. XXX - Called for a wrecker to have vehicle towed to the dealer where it was purchased. While awaiting the tow truck I completed a video of damage to both vehicles, before starting the vehicle (first time after the accident) the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floor. Started vehicle and brakes regained some braking ability to drive onto a roll back tow truck and delivery to the dealership above. Fortunately, this brake failure happened in a private driveway and not within a busy intersection where major injuries likely would have occurred. STILL WAITING ON GENERAL MOTORS!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766577September 24, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Well, let’s try this again. The first try disappeared. The rear hatch seal on the vehicle has identical spots on both sides of the hatch that are mashed flat. I think this is being caused by the flat spots on the hatch itself. The vehicle is a total body and engine redesign. The flat spots allow for dust intrusion into the cabin all the way to the front of the cabin. We live on a gravel road, so we can see the intrusion, albeit it took a while to figure out where it was coming from. People in town won’t know. I videoed the seal and hatch the day before it was replaced by the dealership. My fear is that someone on a trip may get into trouble, because you know if dust can get in, carbon monoxide can as well. I’ll include the video. Thank you for reading.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766323September 23, 2026
ENGINE
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 becoming frustrating and financially draining. My biggest concern is what is to happen once my warranty expires? guess I'll be paying a note and repair cost until a recall is opened on this issue and then will have to wait for reimbursement. This is horrible to say this car was made 2 years ago. Attention is needed on this defective part. I'm so frustrated to I might just trade in this vehicle. I pay for dependability and reliability in the amount of 1300.00 monthly, but only receiving a financial headache.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766205September 22, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the temperature gauge remained at zero. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed high-pressure fuel pump. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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