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GMC Acadia
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History

10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database β€” the same data used by federal regulators.

πŸ“‹
1,837
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
πŸ””
24
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
πŸ’₯
39
Crash-Related
crash complaints
πŸ”₯
6
Fire-Related
fire complaints
πŸ₯
43
Injuries Reported
across all years
πŸ€–
Below Average
AI Rating
reliability score

Checking a specific GMC Acadia? Run a VIN check for its exact history.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

2026
2026 GMC ACADIA SUV N/A AWD
Overall Safety
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Frontal Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Side Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Rollover Risk
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4/5
2025
2025 GMC Acadia SUV AWD
Overall Safety
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Frontal Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Side Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Rollover Risk
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4/5
2024
2024 GMC Acadia SUV AWD
Overall Safety
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Frontal Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Side Crash
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5/5
Rollover Risk
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4/5
How to Read NCAP Stars
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…5 stars - Excellent
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4 stars - Good
β˜…β˜…β˜…3 stars - Average
β˜…β˜…2 stars - Below average
β˜…1 star - Poor
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
πŸ€–

AI Interpretation

High ConfidenceBelow Average
AI interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

NHTSA complaint data for the GMC Acadia (2017–2026) shows a high volume of reports, with the 2017 model year accounting for the most complaints. The powertrain and electrical system are the most frequently cited components. While crash-related complaints are relatively few, the overall pattern suggests potential reliability concerns in certain model years.

πŸ“Š Key Findings
  • The powertrain component received the highest number of complaints (593).
  • Electrical system complaints are also prominent (484).
  • The 2017 model year has the most complaints (685), followed by 2018 (375) and 2019 (358).
⚠️ Top Concerns
  • Forward collision avoidance system complaints (64) may indicate issues with sensor calibration or false alerts.
  • Air bag complaints (95) could relate to warning lights or deployment concerns.
  • Steering complaints (118) may involve noise, vibration, or loss of assist.
⚠️ Worst Years

The 2017 model year has the highest complaint count (685), driven largely by powertrain and electrical system issues. The 2018 and 2019 years also show elevated complaints.

βœ… Best Years

The 2022, 2023, and 2026 model years show relatively few complaints (44, 37, and 3 respectively), which may indicate improved reliability or lower exposure.

βœ… Before You Buy β€” Checklist
  • Inspect the forward collision avoidance system for proper operation and any warning lights.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for powertrain and electrical system repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect steering and brake components before purchase.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. Complaint volume may be influenced by sales numbers or reporting bias, not just failure rates.

πŸ“… NHTSA Complaints by Model Year

2017
685
2018
375
2019
358
2020
90
2021
139
2022
44
2023
37
2024
52
2025
54
2026
3
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: May 2026

πŸ”” NHTSA Safety Recalls

24 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #23V681000December 10, 2023

Safety Recall

Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Campaign #23V043000February 2, 2023

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Campaign #21V702000October 9, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS
Campaign #21V422000March 6, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign #20V684000May 11, 2020

Safety Recall

Component: TIRES
Campaign #26V114000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Campaign #22V708000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Campaign #23V172000

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Campaign #22V427000

Safety Recall

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Campaign #22V446000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Campaign #21V115000

Safety Recall

Component: TIRES
Campaign #20V639000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign #20V446000

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Campaign #20V668000

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Campaign #22V709000

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #22V709000

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #21V115000

Safety Recall

Component: TIRES
Campaign #20V668000

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Campaign #18V358000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign #17V516000

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

πŸ”§ Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 1,837 NHTSA complaints.

1
POWER TRAIN
593 complaints
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
484 complaints
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
450 complaints
4
ENGINE
222 complaints
5
SERVICE BRAKES
153 complaints
6
STEERING
118 complaints
7
AIR BAGS
95 complaints
8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
64 complaints

πŸ“‹ NHTSA Complaint Reports

1,837 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEApr 2026

On several occasions, this vehicle break pretty hard for no apparent reason in a red rectangle with a crash symbol came up on the windshield a few times we’ve had people behind us which created dangerous situation and there’s no apparent reasons for this vehicle breaking there was nothing in front of us at times there were vehicles in the other lane, but at other times there were no vehicles around at all I was wondering if this what’s happening with other GMC’s or or any GM product.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHERApr 2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Horn began sounding unexpectedly and intermittently while driving and parked. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The uncontrollable horn startled surrounding motorists and pedestrians, causing confusion and defensive reactions. While removing the fuse temporarily stopped the noise, it eliminated a critical safety feature. The horn remains inoperable as of 4/6/26. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? GMC Dealership. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? GMC Dealership. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No prior warning. Issue began Jan 31, 2025 (66 days after purchasing the brand new vehicle). Timeline of events: Jan 31, 2026: Horn began sounding unexpectedly and intermittently while driving and parked. Per dealership advice, the horn fuse was removed to allow for safe travel. Feb 5, 2026: First service visit. Service advisor reported a "kinked wire" was found and repaired. Feb 15, 2026: Issue recurred; horn sounded continuously while driving. Fuse was removed again to disable the horn; it has remained inoperable since. Feb 26, 2026: Second service visit. Dealership diagnosed the issue as a faulty steering wheel and placed an order (ETA: 7–10 days). Mar 3, 2026: Follow-up call. Advised the part was under β€œnational control” with an additional 10-day delay. Mar 13, 2026: Dealership notified me that the steering wheel request was denied by GM because the part is restricted and the cause remained unproven. Mar 18–20, 2026: Third service visit (loaner provided). New diagnosis identified an internal failure in the SIR coil. Part was confirmed as backordered.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHERFeb 2026

My wife and child drove the car to the grocery store and parked the car l. When she returned to leave , the car would not start and flashed a warning with key fob not detected and some kind of security light warning. The instrument cluster told her to place the key in left console cup holder to crank the vehicle . This did not work either .I drove the second key fob to her to determine if it was a key fob issue and the 2 nd key did not work as well. Called dealership and service requested the car being towed. Tow truck didn’t feel comfortable with the removing the vehicle as it was sitting due to space in the parking lot. They dispatched a small tow truck , but in the meantime I disconnected the battery cable and waited about 15 min. The car cranked and I immediately drove it to dealership. There was no code shown at the dealership and this was the first time they have had dealt with this issue. The mechanic drove the car the next day and the same situation happened again , except this time the key fob worked after several failed attempts . I feel that this is a safety issue because the car failed to operate and had no manual ability to operate without the electronic system functioning properly and this could have happened anyway and stranded my wife and child . A few months before in an unrelated incident , the power trunk malfunctioned and had to be reprogrammed . It would not operate except manually . Car is currently at dealership still being evaluated .

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEApr 2026

Vehicle would not run due to a failed fuel pump control module. With a non-running engine, the transmission could NOT be placed into Neutral to be able to movie vehicle out of the road. Needed tow truck to move vehicle. This condition placed many people at risk as the vehicle could not be moved out of the way until a tow truck arrived.

POWER TRAIN,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEMar 2026

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the engine lost automotive power. The vehicle was able to restart. During a second failure, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled in the middle of the highway, and the vehicle was unable to restart. An alert message was sent by OnStar reporting a transmission or engine failure and advised that the vehicle needed immediate service. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump module failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,749

VISIBILITY/WIPERMar 2026

I was driving on the highway, and the sunroof was closed and the cloth screen that would allow or not allow sun to come through was also closed. Then out of nowhere there was this explosion sound which scared me so much, I almost wrecked the car and at first, I thought maybe someone shot at my car and shot one of my windows but as I got to the side of the road I realized that none of my windows in the car had been shot and that it was the sunroof and I noticed that cause pieces of glass came into the car from the sides of the cloth barrier. This happened so fast and was so loud that it almost caused me to hit the other car in the lane to the left of me on the highway. Thank goodness I was able to react fast and pull the car back into my lane. I contacted the dealership and they indicated that they had not heard about this before and that I would need to talk with the service department but that it is closed now and not something that would typically fall under warranty. I did check online and see that this is a known issue for this vehicle so I don't understand why it would not be fixed cause it is going to hurt someone at some point. I am trying to get someone to look at it to get it fixed. There was no warning of anything. It just exploded all of the sudden and glass was all over.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTIONMar 2026

Infotainment system freezing, screen shaking, touch screen not working, disconnecting from android auto, unable to connect to phone.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHERFeb 2026

My 2023 GMC Acadia consistently makes a sound at lower speeds when it is changing gears. For example, accelerating or accelerating for stoplights. The sound is kind of a ka clunk. The technician can find nothing and does hear the sound when we go for a test ride. I am worried that the sound indicates a transmission problem. The VIN search does not show a recall for my vehicle.

πŸ’₯ CrashAIR BAGS,ENGINEFeb 2026

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that with the stop/start feature activated and while attempting to park the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was slightly pressed in order to slowly move the vehicle forward. The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward, over a curb, and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 5,665.

STEERING,ENGINEFeb 2026

Temperature gauge dropped to zero or no reading, message displayed on screen "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive with Care", continued to drive speed limit, when parked fan runs after car is shut off, in a few days the temperature gauge started working again, then the cycle repeats about once every 2 weeks for a couple months before engine light came on last week & when checked at a local parts place was told temperature sensor malfunction. Read multiple accounts of this same issue online

ENGINEFeb 2026

From the day that I’ve gotten this vehicle it has been burning oil and water like crazy. There is no reason I should be putting a quart of oil every couple weeks

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJan 2026

TELEMATIC CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. ON RESEARCH, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO FIX BECAUSE THE MODULE IS BACK ORDERED. NO TIME GIVEN FOR WHEN AVAILABLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD OUR NAME TO SEE IF IT CAN BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMDec 2025

My 2023 GMC Acadia experienced a complete electrical system failure while driving on an interstate highway. During the incident, the vehicle lost all electrical power, including hazard lights and steering assistance, and could not be shifted into neutral. The vehicle became immobile in active traffic and required police-ordered towing due to safety risk. This incident was the second alternator failure within six months. The second failure involved a GM-installed replacement alternator that failed prematurely. Both incidents required towing, and the second created a significant roadway safety hazard.

SUSPENSIONOct 2025

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for maintenance, and the tech informed the dealer that the passenger’s side rear suspension toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the passenger’s side rear toe link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Manufacturer's recall number: N222364330; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,101.

πŸ₯ 2 InjuriesSEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAug 2025

While driving under normal conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent deceleration. The emergency braking and collision avoidance systems activated spontaneously, as if the vehicle had struck or was about to strike an object. There was no obstacle, impact, or external threat present. This uncommanded braking caused significant physical stress and injury to the occupants. Critically, multiple safety systems failed during the event: The seat belts did not lock, failing to restrain the occupants; The airbags did not deploy, despite the severity of the deceleration; no warning indicators or diagnostic alerts were present before or after the incident. These failures directly contributed to physical injuries, including TBI (concussion, spinal trauma, etc.) which required emergency medical treatment and ongoing care.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJul 2025

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. A dealer and independent mechanic were contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the brake pads wear was uneven on the driver’s side and the driver’s side front caliper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The brake pads were replaced; however, the caliper was not yet replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

STRUCTUREJul 2025

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was water and condensation inside the rear middle brake light assembly. The contact later discovered that during rainstorms, rainwater had leaked into the rear seating and hatch area of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the failure was due to a manufacturing structural error and the vehicle needed body work to be performed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,200.

ENGINEJun 2025

I've had the engine stall before coming to a complete stop on several occasions. It also has been shifting hard and has had a delayed shift. The other day all of the lights to to screen and speedometer completely went out while driving then randomly came back on. That's the only speedometer I have is the digital screen.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApr 2025

Backup camera failed. Same issue on 2021 Acadia SLT Needs to be investigated on 2023 models

STEERING,TIRESMar 2025

See attached document for complaint.

Showing 20 of 1,837 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check a Specific GMC Acadia

This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.

πŸ“– Understanding This Data

πŸ“‹

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The GMC Acadia has 1,837 complaints on record across 10 model years.

πŸ””

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The GMC Acadia has 24 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

πŸ’₯

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 39 of the GMC Acadia's 1,837 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

πŸ€–

How Is the AI Rating Calculated?

The AI reliability rating (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision β€” always verify with a VIN-specific report.

πŸ“Š

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

πŸ”

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all GMC Acadia vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two GMC Acadia vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

πŸ”Ž

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The GMC Acadia has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

Other GMC Models

All GMC Models β†’

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