Head-to-head reliability
GMC Acadia vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Acadia and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
GMC Acadia vs FORD F 150: The Acadia averages about 193 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages about 1,131. The F-150 also has more recalls (145 vs. 24) and crash-related complaints (328 vs. 41). Both have transmission and electrical issues, but the F-150's higher volume means more potential problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Acadia or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a mid-size SUV that owners often buy for family hauling. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 193 complaints per year, with the most common issues in the power train, electrical system, and engine. Owners report problems like overheating, transmission troubles, and premature brake wear, which can mean unexpected repair bills and downtime. While it has fewer complaints than some rivals, the pattern suggests you should budget for potential electrical and cooling system fixes.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its work capability. It averages about 1,131 complaints per year over the past decade, with major categories being power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently describe hard transmission shifts, sudden power loss, and electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. The high complaint volume means many owners experience issues, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Acadia | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,934 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 41 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 193.4 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 45 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
GMC Acadia
- 01POWER TRAIN618
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM506
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER472
- 04ENGINE240
- 05SERVICE BRAKES164
Owners report transmission problems such as hard or delayed shifts, and in some cases, the vehicle loses power or shuts off while driving. These issues can be dangerous and may require costly repairs.
Complaints include premature brake pad wear with squealing and fluid leaks, as well as various electrical glitches. These can affect safety and lead to repeated shop visits.
Engine-related complaints often involve overheating warnings and coolant leaks, sometimes leading to engine failure. This can strand drivers and result in major repair bills.
Issues like upper radiator hose failure and check engine lights related to coolant levels are reported. These are often symptoms of cooling system problems that need prompt attention.
“I purchased this vehicle in June 2024 as a demo vehicle with approximately 7,000 miles on it. Within one month of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing serious problems that have continued to worsen. The vehicle currently has approximately 34,000 miles, a…”
“In the process of taking my daughter to the emergency room I receive a dash notification on my recently purchased 2024 GMC Acadia "car overheating, possible engine failure". My gauges were within normal range and being that I was in an emergency I kept travel…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners describe harsh transmission shifts, jerking, and clunking, especially with the 10-speed automatic. Some experience sudden loss of power, which is a serious safety concern.
Common complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as strange noises from the transmission area. These can be distracting and expensive to diagnose.
Exterior lighting issues are frequently reported, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Problems here can affect visibility and safety, and may be subject to recalls.
Engine-related complaints are less common than transmission issues but still present. Owners may face issues that require dealer attention, potentially leading to downtime.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
GMC Acadia — 24 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. 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 Sa…
The risk: Illegible tire size information may result in the wrong tires being installed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the vehicle certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's n…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles. The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate.
The risk: 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. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the right-front half-shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
The risk: 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. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevro…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 GMC Acadia and 2024 Cadilac XT5 and XT6 vehicles. The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body.
The risk: A windshield that is not properly bonded may detach during a crash and increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield and apply primer and urethane sealant. If the windshield is damaged, the dealer will replace it. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
GMC Acadia or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Acadia has far fewer complaints per year (about 193) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131). This means that, on average, Acadia owners report fewer problems, but the types of issues—like transmission and electrical faults—can still be serious. The F-150's higher volume suggests a greater likelihood of encountering issues, so extra diligence is needed when buying used.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has nearly six times as many complaints per year as the GMC Acadia, indicating a higher frequency of reported problems.
- Transmission issues are prominent in both, but F-150 owners describe more severe symptoms like sudden power loss and harsh shifting.
- Electrical problems in the Acadia often involve brake wear and cooling system faults, while the F-150 sees more camera and sensor malfunctions.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145 vs. 24), which can mean more free fixes but also more visits to the dealer.
- Check for transmission shuddering or delayed engagement during a test drive, as owners report hard shifts and power loss.
- Inspect the cooling system for leaks or a sweet smell, and look for a history of overheating or coolant-related check engine lights.
- Test the transmission for jerking, clunking, or delayed shifts, especially between 4th and 8th gears, as these are commonly reported.
- Verify that all electrical features work, including cameras and collision warning systems, and watch for any warning messages on the dashboard.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if the car has been in accidents or had repeated repairs.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on transmission and electrical systems.
- Check for open recalls on the NHTSA website and confirm they have been addressed.
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds, to feel for transmission issues and listen for unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and cooling system services.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | GMC Acadia | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 24 |
| 2025 | 62 | 329 |
| 2024 | 55 | 617 |
| 2023 | 42 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 48 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 147 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 99 | 33 |
| 2019 | 381 | 36 |
| 2018 | 392 | 56 |
| 2017 | 702 | 43 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific GMC Acadia or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Acadia vs FORD F 150
- GMC Acadia total complaints
- 1,934
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- GMC Acadia total recalls
- 24
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- GMC Acadia avg complaints/year
- 193.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Acadia
- GMC Acadia top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN