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2011 GMC Acadia Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2011 GMC Acadia Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2011 GMC Acadia has 371 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve steering and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

6.9/ 10

Based on 371 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

STEERING

64 17.3%

ENGINE

52 14%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

46 12.4%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

37 10%

POWER TRAIN

30 8.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is STEERING, accounting for 17.3% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 37 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2011 GMC Acadia

The 2011 GMC Acadia has 371 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 17% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2011 GMC Acadia are STEERING (64), ENGINE (52), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (46).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 212 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 GMC Acadia?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 Acadia complaints2013 Acadia complaints2014 Acadia complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 35 of 35 systems

STEERING

48 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

IN WET / RAINY CONDITIONS, POWER STEERING FAILS AS BELT GETS WET AND LOOSES ALL TRACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARYING SPEEDS AND HAS TWICE ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AS WE WERE NEGOTIATING TURNS. VARIOUS ONLINE AUTO FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GMC ACADIA. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE? DEALER STATES THERE IS NO FIX. *TR

8/21/2013

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COMING OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE STEERING. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LIKE TRYING TO PULL ON DEAD WEIGHT TO GET IT TO TURN. THIS CONTINUED AND SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS I SLOWED THE CAR TO A STOP. UPON DRIVING AGAIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, POWER STEERING RETURNED FOR 10 MILES OF DRIVING ON THE WAY BACK TO MY HOME, AND THEN FAILED AGAIN. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

12/9/2013

46 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

30 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TR

3/15/2013

SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND THE ENGINE POWER LOW WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE SLOWING TO 20 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY. ENGINE REVERTING TO LOW POWER IS A HAZARD AND SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

3/2/2014

28 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

30 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

PASSENGER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. TOOK TO DEALER AND BULB WAS REPLACED. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, BULB WAS OUT AGAIN. RETURNED TO DEALER IN JUNE 2013 AND DISCOVERED PART OF THE FIXTURE WIRING HAD MELTED. DEALER REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SAME DAY WE PICKED IT UP, THE DRIVER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WENT OUT. RETURNED TO DEALER ON JUNE 21, 2013 AND DISCOVERED MELTED WIRING AGAIN. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THREE BULBS AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MELTED WIRING COMPONENTS ON BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ALSO HAVE AN UNSOLVED ISSUE OF HIGH BEAMS WORKING OFF AND ON. THERE IS DEFINITELY A SERIOUS WIRING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS COULD POSE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS NOT SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT! *TR

6/21/2013

HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR WAS OVERHEATING AND MELTED. *TR

8/1/2013

28 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

25 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY 2011 GMC ACADIA (DENALI) HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES (AND LIKELY AN UPCOMING 4TH) DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW (AND REAR HATCH) WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPLACED THE DOOR MODULE AND REPROGRAMMED IT. THE NEXT TIME, THEY REPLACED BOTH THE MALE AND FEMALE TERMINALS IN THE CONNECTOR AND APPLIED SOME GREASE. NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY DID THE THIRD TIME. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ALTHOUGH AFTER 24 HOURS IT WAS FINE. I UNDERSTAND GM CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL OUT FOR SUVS BUT FOR MORE OLDER VEHICLES = FIRE, SMOKE, OTHER ARE LINKED TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR UNIT. JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE EVEN THOUGH ITS 5 YEARS NEWER. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AS OF YET. *TR

8/20/2012

POWER WINDOW CONTROLS INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING TO CLOSE ALL PASSENGER WINDOWS FROM DRIVER DOOR CONTROL PANEL. ONLY WORK AROUND DISCOVERED IS TO LOCK/UNLOCK WINDOWS AND THEN CLOSE WINDOWS, WORKS APPROX. 75% OF TIME. *TR

6/17/2013

23 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

17 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED OFF THE SIDE OF A CLIFF. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK WHEN IT WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

8/15/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE OPERATING, THE DRIVER SLIPPED ON AN ICE PATCH AND FELL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS GROUNDED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ROLLED AWAY AND OVER HER LEGS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MUSCLE AND NERVE DAMAGE TO BOTH LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,994.

12/30/2013

15 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

16 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN I TRIED TO PARK MY 2011 ACADIA SLE, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE FRONT OF MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A HEALTH CLUB WALL. WHEN I SAW PEOPLE RUNNING INSIDE THE HEALTH CLUB I THOUGHT I HAD ROLLED OVER SOMEONE. SO, I TRIED TO BACK UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT SHOT BACKWARDS WITH A ROLLING FORCE AND HIT AN IRON POST. TO KEEP THE WHEELS FROM CONTINUOUSLY ROLLING, I HAD TO SLAM THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF. I BELIEVE THIS ACCIDENT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR KILLED.

10/9/2012

SINCE MAY 2012 OUR "CHECK AIR BAG" LIGHT HAS REPEATEDLY APPEARED. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT WHEN THAT LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE MOST RECENT OF WHICH WAS ON DECEMBER 20, 2012. WE WERE TOLD GM DISCOVERED A NEW REPAIR THAT THEY WERE 90% CERTAIN WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DETECTOR. THE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN TONIGHT, LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER THE NEW REPAIR. GMC HAS BEEN COMPLETELY NON-RESPONSIVE. THE DEALER (KOONS) WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE CAR WHEN THE LIGHT APPEARS, WHICH IS A PROBLEM WHEN IT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FACT THAT WE CANNOT RELY ON OUR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IS AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

1/15/2013

14 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN I TRIED TO PARK MY 2011 ACADIA SLE, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE FRONT OF MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A HEALTH CLUB WALL. WHEN I SAW PEOPLE RUNNING INSIDE THE HEALTH CLUB I THOUGHT I HAD ROLLED OVER SOMEONE. SO, I TRIED TO BACK UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT SHOT BACKWARDS WITH A ROLLING FORCE AND HIT AN IRON POST. TO KEEP THE WHEELS FROM CONTINUOUSLY ROLLING, I HAD TO SLAM THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF. I BELIEVE THIS ACCIDENT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR KILLED.

10/9/2012

DRIVING 40MPH, ACCELERATED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO PASS. REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE PEDAL MOVING TO THE FLOOR. AFTER REPEATEDLY STOMPING THE BRAKE AND DEPRESSING THE "CANCEL CRUISE" CONTROL BUTTON, I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3.5 HOURS INTO A 9 HOUR TRIP, SO THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. I WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THE CONDITION 4 TIMES. TWICE WITH THE CRUISE ON BUT DISENGAGED AND TWICE WITH THE CRUISE TURNED OFF. I DISCOVERED THAT STOMPING THE BRAKES OR DEPRESSING THE CANCEL CRUISE BUTTON CLEARED THE CONDITION. AFTER A COUPLE OF STOPS, CONDITION OCCURRED A 6TH TIME AS I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A VEHICLE GOING 50MPH. AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE SYMPTOM RECURRED WITH MY VEHICLE ACCELERATING TO 80 MPH BEFORE CONTINUALLY DEPRESSING THE "CANCEL CRUISE" BUTTON RELEASED THE STUCK ACCELERATOR. ON 3 JUNE, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. NEITHER DEALER TECH NOR I COULD REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. . THINKING VEHICLE TEMP COUD BE THE DIFFERENCE, I LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE TECHNICIAN. HE DROVE IT FOR 3 HOURS AND APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALER OPENED GM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CASE (71-1189923303) AND ALLEGEDLY GM HAS NO RECORD OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER HAD NO RECOURSE BUT TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO ME. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND REGISTERED MY CONCERN. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CALLED SAYING THAT GM HAD NO RECORD OF SIMILAR INCIDENCES BUT HAD LOGGED ANOTHER VEHICLE SERVICE REQUEST (71-1191383116). I QUESTIONED THIS REVELATION AS I HAD FOUND SEVERAL DOCUMENTED SIMILAR CASES WITH ACADIAS ON EDMUNDS.COM. MY WIFE NORMALLY DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. I AM UNSURE HOW SHE WOULD HAVE REACTED HAD THIS HAPPENED WITH HER DRIVING. IT IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

6/14/2013

10 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 17W GOING TO DEPOSIT, NY, I SUDDENLY SAW AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", THEN IT READ "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" AND THEN THE LAST THING THAT READ WAS "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". THAT'S WHEN MY CAR DROPPED FROM GOING 60 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL TO 20 MPH AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THANKFULLY, I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. AT THAT POINT, I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED, THINKING THAT THE ERROR MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY AND IT'S JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH, AS THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT HAD FULL POWER BUT THE ERROR MESSAGE TO "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WAS STILL ON AND ALTERNATING BETWEEN THAT MESSAGE AND "TRACTION CONTROL OFF". THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES ON THE SAME DAY ALONG THE SAME HIGHWAY AND AT ONE OF THE TIMES, THERE WAS A LARGE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AND THANKFULLY, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE TO THE NEXT LANE BECAUSE I THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE HAD MANY DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS FIRST LEASED IN 2011. I THINK THAT ALL THE GMC ACADIAS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT POSES SUCH A TREMENDOUS DANGER TO MOTORISTS.

2/27/2014

I SAW AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", THEN IT READ "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" AND THEN THE LAST THING THAT READ WAS "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". THAT'S WHEN MY CAR DROPPED FROM GOING 55 MPH TO 20 MPH AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD A FEW MINUTES THEN BACK ONTO ROAD BUT HAD NO POWER. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP.THEY REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. COST ME $259.84. *TR

6/30/2014

7 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WENT TO OPEN THE BACK OF MY ACADIA, PUSHED THE BUTTON AND AS IT RAISED I STARTED TO PUT A WINDOW IN THE BACK AND THE LIFTGATE MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND BEFORE I KNEW IT THE LIFTGATE STARTED TO COME DOWN WHILE I WAS STILL HOLDING THE WINDOW....IT DIDN'T STOP EVEN THOUGH IT HIT ME AND MADE MY FACE HIT THE EDGE OF THE WINDOW AND I HAD TO PUSH BACK REALLY HARD AND THEN SQUIRM MY WAY OUT STILL HOLDING THE WINDOW. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE LIFTGATE.

7/26/2015

STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP DURING A TURN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THEN LAST WEEK I COULDN'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO GET OUT OF DRIVEWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. 1500.00 LATER I HAVE NEW SHIFTER AND SOME SORT OF NEW GEARS IN STEERING WHEEL. LOOKED IT UP AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, YET STILL NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 48000 MILES ON IT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THERE WEREN'T SOME SORT OF DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE.

1/13/2016

5 more complaints are available in this category.

SEATS

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADREST WAS ABNORMALLY FORCING HIS HEAD FORWARD WHEN DRIVING AND PREVENTING HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO COMFORTABLE REST HIS SHOULDERS BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,813 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,600.

3/10/2011

THIS IS MY CAR, BUT MY HUSBAND AND I TRIED TO TAKE A LONG TRIP IN THE CAR AND MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT HE WAS NOT A SAFE DRIVER DUE TO THE UNCOMFORTABLE HEAD REST DESIGN. MY HUSBAND IS 6' 4" TALL AND THE ACADIA HEAD REST PUSHES HIS HEAD FORWARD AND DOWN AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE. THIS CAUSES HIM TO BE FATIGUED, GET A HEADACHE FROM HOLDING HIS HEAD AT AN AWKWARD POSITION AND DOES NOT ALLOW HIM TO LOOK THROUGH HIS GLASSES CORRECTLY. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION FOR A DRIVER DURING A LONG TRIP. I CONTACTED GM TO SEE IF WE COULD GET A DIFFERENT HEAD REST THAT WOULD BE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE FOR A TALL DRIVER BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP US. THEY DID ADMIT THAT MY HUSBAND IS NOT THE ONLY DRIVER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *TR

12/2/2013

4 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

POWERSTEERING GETS TIGHT AND VEHICLE SHAKES. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND POWERSTEERING PUMP AND GEAR IS LEAKING FLUID. THE GM DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE POWERSTEERING PART IS COVERED BUT WILL NOT COVER THE FLUID LEAKING AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR $500 PAYMENT. BRAKE PEDAL SQUEAKS WHEN PRESSED DOWN. GM DEALER INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE IS LEAKING AND NEEDS A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AND A NEW BRAKE BOOSTER. *JS

12/1/2014

WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, ALL SYSTEMS FAILED -- STEERING, BRAKING, ELECTRICAL. THE DEALER INDICATES THAT THIS IS A "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE."

9/20/2015

4 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

JUNE 11TH 2014, IT WAS A WEDNESDAY. I DROVE OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS BEEPING AND FLASHING ALL OF THESE LIGHTS AT ME. THE PARK ASSIST OFF , THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK? AND THE ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHTS ALL COME ON. WE ARE IN TOWN AND NOT GOING VERY FAST SO I DON?T NOTICE THE CAR DRIVING ANY DIFFERENTLY AT FIRST. I STOP AND STILL EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE, EXCEPT FOR ALL THESE LIGHTS FLASHING AT ME. WHEN I TRY TO GO AGAIN IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE THE GAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND AND MY CAR IS MOVING AT LIKE SNAIL SPEED, I?M TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, UP A HILL, TO GET TO THE PARKING LOT BUT MY CAR LITERALLY WILL NOT MOVE! VEHICLES ARE SWERVING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO US, I CALL A TOW TRUCK AND MY FINANCE. WHEN WE DO HEAR BACK FROM THE GMC DEALERSHIP THEY BASICALLY TELL US THAT WE?RE IDIOTS. THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AND LOOKED IT OVER AND HOOKED IT UP TO THEIR FANCY MACHINES AND THERE?S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AUGUST 16TH. MY FIANC IS DRIVING,ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 ALL OF THOSE SAME LIGHTS COME ON AND MY FIANC ANNOUNCES, ?OMG [XXX], I THINK IT?S HAPPENING AGAIN. ? SURE ENOUGH HE IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY FOR US THIS TIME WE ARE ON FLAT TERRAIN AND WE ARE ABLE TO COAST INTO MY MOTHER?S DRIVEWAY. BECAUSE IT IS SO LATE WE DECIDED TO JUST GO TO BED AND DEAL WITH IT IN THE MORNING. IN THE MORNING, THOUGH, WE GET INTO THE CAR AND IT DRIVES PERFECTLY FINE. WE DRIVE 6 HOURS BACK TO RAPID CITY, WITH NO ISSUES, ALTHOUGH WE ARE SICK TO OUR STOMACHS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS. DASH REEDS AS THIS TRACTION CONTROL OFF PARK ASSIST OFF SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE STABILITRAK *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

9/30/2014

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 ACADIA THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON, I GO TO FILL UP AND THERE'S 3/4 OF A TANK STILL FULL. THE NEXT MORNING I STILL HAD A LOW FUEL READING AND NOW A SERIVCE ENGINE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL AND/OR COMPUTER SYSTEMS CAUSING A FALSE LOW FUEL READING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER YEAR MODELS, BUT NOT 2011. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO EXPAND THE RECALL? OR WILL GMC CORRECT THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER YEAR MODELS? *JS

2/24/2015

3 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 17W GOING TO DEPOSIT, NY, I SUDDENLY SAW AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", THEN IT READ "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" AND THEN THE LAST THING THAT READ WAS "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". THAT'S WHEN MY CAR DROPPED FROM GOING 60 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL TO 20 MPH AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THANKFULLY, I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. AT THAT POINT, I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED, THINKING THAT THE ERROR MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY AND IT'S JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH, AS THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT HAD FULL POWER BUT THE ERROR MESSAGE TO "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WAS STILL ON AND ALTERNATING BETWEEN THAT MESSAGE AND "TRACTION CONTROL OFF". THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES ON THE SAME DAY ALONG THE SAME HIGHWAY AND AT ONE OF THE TIMES, THERE WAS A LARGE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AND THANKFULLY, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE TO THE NEXT LANE BECAUSE I THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE HAD MANY DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS FIRST LEASED IN 2011. I THINK THAT ALL THE GMC ACADIAS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT POSES SUCH A TREMENDOUS DANGER TO MOTORISTS.

2/27/2014

MY CAR SKIPS AS IF THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND THE ACADIA WILL SHAKE AND DO A LITTLE SKIP JUMP. IT DOES THIS AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK. I ALSO HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADD OIL TO THE TRUCK EVEN WHEN I AM 1000 MILES OUT FROM MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. *TR

4/9/2014

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I'VE RECEIVED 3 NOTICES ABOUT RECALLS. GM TOLD ME JULY THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, BUT WHEN I CALL MY DEALER THEY INDICATED THEY'LL PUT ME A WAITING LIST FOR WHEN THEY ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE PARTS. WHY ISN'T GM SENDING DEALERS ENOUGH PARTS TO HANDLE THESE RECALLS. MY DEALER IS GREAT IT'S JUST GM THAT IS CREATING PROBLEMS. TELLING US THEY HAVE THE PARTS, THEN THEY DON'T SEND THEM TO THE DEALERS. MY DEALER IS VERY FRUSTRATED OVER THIS AS I AM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR PUSHING GM A LITTLE TO GET THE PARTS TO THE DEALERS SO THAT I (WE) CAN GET OUR VEHICLES REPAIRED. *TR

7/19/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE RUNNING LIGHT STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO UPON CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB, NOTICED THAT THE RECEPTACLE HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN MAY OF 2015. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,747.

2/2/2016

2 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CRANK NO START AFTER PARKING ON AN INCLINE (DRIVE WAY) WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS LOW (~ 3-4 GALLONS IN THE TANK.) STARTED WHEN CAR WAS PUSHED TO THE STREET. (LEVEL). *TR

10/29/2011

MY CAR SKIPS AS IF THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND THE ACADIA WILL SHAKE AND DO A LITTLE SKIP JUMP. IT DOES THIS AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK. I ALSO HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADD OIL TO THE TRUCK EVEN WHEN I AM 1000 MILES OUT FROM MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. *TR

4/9/2014

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, SHE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL BEING EMITTED FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE LUGGAGE RACK WAS ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHICH REACHED THE ELECTRONICS THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. AS A RESULT, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, INCLUDING THE ONSTAR SYSTEM AND THE RADIO, FAILED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

10/17/2012

WANTED TAILGATE NOISE FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTEE, BUT WAS PUT OFF BY DEALER TO WAIT FOR RECALL FIX. RECALL FIX DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM OF LOUD NOISES WHEN USING POWER TAILGATE. AFTER ABOUT 2 YEARS I RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM GM AND DEALER DID RECALL WORK. HOWEVER , THE NOISE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND DEALER TELLS ME I WILL NEED TO PAY $725 TO FIX PART # 23142258 BECAUSE IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER LONG AWAITED RECALL REPAIR. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY CANNOT AUTHORIZE REPAIR EITHER. I BELEIVE THE RECALL MODULE BY NOT WORKING CORRECTLY CAUSED THE GEAR FAILURE. THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE GM SHOULD FIX THE TAILGATE. ALL THIS HAPPENED OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD. WHILE CAR WAS IN WARRENTY AND NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE GM HAD TO FIX ALL 2011 ACADIA'S THE PROCESS TOOK TOO LONG AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER IN NOVEMBER 2015 , YEARS AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.

12/28/2015

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEATBELT LOCKS WHERE I AM UNABLE TO EXPAND AND USE IT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THREE TIMES AND THEY CLAIM THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED, AND THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM. THE REASON I BOUGHT THE ACADIA IS BECAUSE I HAVE A LARGE FAMILY AND I USE THE STATES IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

7/17/2014

I'VE RECEIVED 3 NOTICES ABOUT RECALLS. GM TOLD ME JULY THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, BUT WHEN I CALL MY DEALER THEY INDICATED THEY'LL PUT ME A WAITING LIST FOR WHEN THEY ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE PARTS. WHY ISN'T GM SENDING DEALERS ENOUGH PARTS TO HANDLE THESE RECALLS. MY DEALER IS GREAT IT'S JUST GM THAT IS CREATING PROBLEMS. TELLING US THEY HAVE THE PARTS, THEN THEY DON'T SEND THEM TO THE DEALERS. MY DEALER IS VERY FRUSTRATED OVER THIS AS I AM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR PUSHING GM A LITTLE TO GET THE PARTS TO THE DEALERS SO THAT I (WE) CAN GET OUR VEHICLES REPAIRED. *TR

7/19/2014

1 more complaint is available in this category.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE FOUR AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD UNLOCK WITHOUT INTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THE DOORS OPERATED NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE SILVER AND CHROME TRIM AROUND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, AND CONSOLE AREA WOULD OBSTRUCT THE VISION WHEN SUNLIGHT MADE CONTACT WITH IT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/15/12 *CN

6/6/2011

MY 2011 GMC ACADIA (DENALI) HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES (AND LIKELY AN UPCOMING 4TH) DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW (AND REAR HATCH) WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPLACED THE DOOR MODULE AND REPROGRAMMED IT. THE NEXT TIME, THEY REPLACED BOTH THE MALE AND FEMALE TERMINALS IN THE CONNECTOR AND APPLIED SOME GREASE. NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY DID THE THIRD TIME. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ALTHOUGH AFTER 24 HOURS IT WAS FINE. I UNDERSTAND GM CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL OUT FOR SUVS BUT FOR MORE OLDER VEHICLES = FIRE, SMOKE, OTHER ARE LINKED TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR UNIT. JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE EVEN THOUGH ITS 5 YEARS NEWER. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AS OF YET. *TR

8/20/2012

WHEELS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY OR ICY WEATHER, THE TIRES WOULD SPIN ABNORMALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WOULD NOT GRIP THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ

12/29/2011

GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD BURST FROM SIDEWALL. THE FIRST TIRE HAD A SLOW SIDE WALL LEAK THAT MAY HAVE INITIATED WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS. THE SECOND TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BURST AT THE SIDEWALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF 65 MPH. THE HOLE WAS LARGE ENOUGH FOR ROADSIDE TO PUT HIS FINGER THROUGH. NO TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS NOTED AN ISSUE PRIOR TO BOTH EVENTS.

8/22/2016

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AIR CONDITIONER/COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED AND THE UNIT IS LEAKING FREON INSIDE THE CAR CABIN WHEN AIR CONDITIONING OR VENTS ARE OPEN. THERE IS ALSO A HISSING SOUND AND EXHAUST COMING FROM THE COMPRESSOR, WHICH WAS PROCEEDED BY A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE UNIT INITIALLY FAILED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS AN ON-GOING ISSUE FOR PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR - THERE ARE DOZENS OF PEOPLE DOCUMENTING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, BUT GMC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WERE INFORMED THAT NOT ONLY WOULD WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH RESULTS IN THE COSTLY REMOVAL OF THE DASHBOARD, WE WOULD ALSO NEED TO PAY TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD. WE HAVE HAD TO SHUT THE VENTS AND FORGO USING THE VENTILATION WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE THE LEAKING FREON CAUSES PASSENGERS TO BECOME LIGHT-HEADED AND DEVELOP A HEADACHE. WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT, YOU NEARLY SUFFER FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION WHILE DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEATING HAS ALSO FAILED AT THIS POINT, RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS. *JS

9/24/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER LINE BETWEEN THE COMPRESSOR AND THE CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

6/2/2015

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

JUNE 11TH 2014, IT WAS A WEDNESDAY. I DROVE OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS BEEPING AND FLASHING ALL OF THESE LIGHTS AT ME. THE PARK ASSIST OFF , THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK? AND THE ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHTS ALL COME ON. WE ARE IN TOWN AND NOT GOING VERY FAST SO I DON?T NOTICE THE CAR DRIVING ANY DIFFERENTLY AT FIRST. I STOP AND STILL EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE, EXCEPT FOR ALL THESE LIGHTS FLASHING AT ME. WHEN I TRY TO GO AGAIN IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE THE GAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND AND MY CAR IS MOVING AT LIKE SNAIL SPEED, I?M TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, UP A HILL, TO GET TO THE PARKING LOT BUT MY CAR LITERALLY WILL NOT MOVE! VEHICLES ARE SWERVING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO US, I CALL A TOW TRUCK AND MY FINANCE. WHEN WE DO HEAR BACK FROM THE GMC DEALERSHIP THEY BASICALLY TELL US THAT WE?RE IDIOTS. THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AND LOOKED IT OVER AND HOOKED IT UP TO THEIR FANCY MACHINES AND THERE?S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AUGUST 16TH. MY FIANC IS DRIVING,ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 ALL OF THOSE SAME LIGHTS COME ON AND MY FIANC ANNOUNCES, ?OMG [XXX], I THINK IT?S HAPPENING AGAIN. ? SURE ENOUGH HE IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY FOR US THIS TIME WE ARE ON FLAT TERRAIN AND WE ARE ABLE TO COAST INTO MY MOTHER?S DRIVEWAY. BECAUSE IT IS SO LATE WE DECIDED TO JUST GO TO BED AND DEAL WITH IT IN THE MORNING. IN THE MORNING, THOUGH, WE GET INTO THE CAR AND IT DRIVES PERFECTLY FINE. WE DRIVE 6 HOURS BACK TO RAPID CITY, WITH NO ISSUES, ALTHOUGH WE ARE SICK TO OUR STOMACHS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS. DASH REEDS AS THIS TRACTION CONTROL OFF PARK ASSIST OFF SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE STABILITRAK *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

9/30/2014

I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF TO SCHOOL, DOING ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN MY CAR DASH STARTED BLINKING OFF AND ON SAYING TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF; CHECK TRACTION CONTROL; AND THEN THE CAR JUST STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT. I FOUND OUT THAT MY COMPUTER SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTION AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ON INSTALLED. *TR

2/15/2015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY A DELAYED RESPONSE OF SEVERAL SECONDS. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DELAYED RESPONSE WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.

11/12/2010

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT DIDN'T INDICATE IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO HAVE A SERVICE MANAGER PROVIDE HIM WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE MANUFACTURER. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED MAYBE IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL THAT LOCKED UP. UPDATED 05/11/11

3/15/2011

SUSPENSION:REAR

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT DIDN'T INDICATE IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO HAVE A SERVICE MANAGER PROVIDE HIM WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE MANUFACTURER. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED MAYBE IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL THAT LOCKED UP. UPDATED 05/11/11

3/15/2011

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS MISSING AFTER DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM TO REMOVE IT WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3400.

4/8/2011

STRUCTURE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE FOUR AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD UNLOCK WITHOUT INTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THE DOORS OPERATED NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE SILVER AND CHROME TRIM AROUND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, AND CONSOLE AREA WOULD OBSTRUCT THE VISION WHEN SUNLIGHT MADE CONTACT WITH IT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/15/12 *CN

6/6/2011

TIRES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY OR ICY WEATHER, THE TIRES WOULD SPIN ABNORMALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WOULD NOT GRIP THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ

12/29/2011

VISIBILITY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS EXTREMELY SMALL AND DISTORTED THE REAR VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW BACK-UP CAMERA SHOULD BE EQUIPPED IN ALL MODEL VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19.

3/12/2012

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

POWER WINDOW CONTROLS INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING TO CLOSE ALL PASSENGER WINDOWS FROM DRIVER DOOR CONTROL PANEL. ONLY WORK AROUND DISCOVERED IS TO LOCK/UNLOCK WINDOWS AND THEN CLOSE WINDOWS, WORKS APPROX. 75% OF TIME. *TR

6/17/2013

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*CN UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

9/19/2014

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I'M THE 2ND OWNER AND SO FAR I'VE HAD TO HAVE A MOTOR MOUNT & 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED. THE AC STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CONTROLS NOT WORKING & THEN THE AC COMPLETELY BROKE AND LEAKED ALL THE REFRIGERANT WHICH MADE A HUGE MESS. THERE'S A HORRIBLE OIL LEAK THAT CAN'T SEEM TO BE STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDEL MAKES A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. AND NOW THERE IS SOME STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH, UNCERTAIN IF IT'S THE RADIO, CD PLAYER OR AC/HEAT. ALL THESE PROBLEMS AT UNDER 80,000 MILES!!! *TR

11/3/2014

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

HVAC SYSTEM FAILURE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR THAT LEAD TO FREON LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN OF OUR 2011 GMC ACADIA THAT HAS LESS THAN 44,000 MILES. IT WAS MAKING AN EXTREME HISSING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY A MISTY CLOUD OF FREON GAS, AND NOW LETS OFF AN ACRID, PLASTIC/ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL THAT FILLS THE CABIN FOLLOWED BY STEAM RISING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VENTS IN THE CAR'S HOOD. THE CAR STARTS TO SMELL LIKE IT IS ON FIRE, ONLY WE CAN'T FIND THE SOURCE SINCE IT IS OBSCURED BY THE DASHBOARD. WE HAVE HAD TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, YET ALL THEY DO IS UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE AND RECHARGE THE FREON UNIT. IT EVENTUALLY LEAKS AND SHOOTS OUT FREON INTO THE FACES OF THE PASSENGERS, WHICH IS NOT SAFE! NOW THE BURNING SMELL HAS US CONCERNED THAT WE ARE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AT ANYTIME.WE INITIALLY HAD GM AND GMC REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IN OCTOBER 2013, BUT THE UNIT FAILED AGAIN EXACTLY A YEAR LATER IN OCTOBER 2014. THERE ARE DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF OWNERS ONLINE THAT HAVE WELL-DOCUMENTED CASES WITH THE SAME HVAC UNIT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE CAR CATCHES FIRE, AND HEAVEN FORBID, KILLS SOMEONE. *TR

12/10/2014

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS OPEN THE DOOR SUDDENLY CLOSED ONTO THE CONTACT BACK. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V415000 (STRUCTURE) WAS RECEIVED IN AUGUST 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

10/9/2015

SUSPENSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2011 GMC ACADIA, #14329B SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. COVERAGE GOOD FOR PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. ACADIA STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEM IN JAN 2017. 2/1/2017 SERVICE ACADIA AT THE DEALER'S FROM 2/1/2017 UNTIL 2/8/2017 TO REPLACE STEERING PUMP. DROVE THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, NOTICED IT WAS SCARY, BOUNCING RIGHT AWAY. TOOK IT BACK RIGHT AWAY. THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN LEFT ON THE LIFT THE STRUTS ON THE SHOCKS HAD EXPANDED. MECHANIC DROVE THE ACADIA AND SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DROVE HOME AND OTHER PEOPLE SAID IT WAS NOT NORMAL. TOOK THE ACADIA BACK ON 2/21/2017. ON 2/22/2017 THE ADVISOR CALLED AND SAID THE CAR NEEDED NEW STRUTS FOR $648.53. THE CAR HAD ONLY 31, 180 MILES. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. AS A 77 YEAR OLD RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER, I DRIVE CAREFULLY, PRUDENTLY. HAVE THE OLD STRUTS. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE PERFORMED THIS 'SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT TO ENSURE COMPLETE SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION FROM THE BEGINNING'. DUE TO DEALER INCOMPETENCE BAMBOOZLED INTO PAYING FOR STRUT REPAIRS. THESE STRUTS WERE OPERATING JUST FINE BEFORE THE PUMP REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE CAR IS BETTER. STILL DOES RIDE AS WELL AS BEFORE. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE. HAVE 2 INVOICES, PLUS SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN, PLUS OLD STRUTS.

3/12/2017

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE THE ELECTRIC REAR LIFTGATE DOOR WAS OPENING, THE POWER ASSIST CYLINDERS FAILED AND CAUSED THE DOOR TO UNEXPECTEDLY SLAM SHUT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V4150000 (STRUCTURE) TO PROVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER (WHEELER CHEVROLET IN HINTON, OK) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

3/14/2018

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Acadia?

The most reported complaint category for the 2011 GMC Acadia is STEERING, with 64 owner reports. That is about 17% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include STEERING, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2011 GMC Acadia a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 212 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 GMC Acadia?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2011 GMC Acadia severe?

212 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

GMC Acadia: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
371
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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