GMC Acadia Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank GMC Acadia model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (106) and the 2008 the most (854).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
9 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2023 | 45 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 21–25 |
| 2022 | 49 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–25 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
61 | 0 | Service brakes | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
66 | 0 | Service brakes | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
106 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 21–24 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
135 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 18–19 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
149 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–25 |
| 2016 | 236 | 4 | Air bags | 5★ | 17–18 |
| 2015 | 243 | 4 | Air bags | 5★ | 19 |
| 2011 | 269 | 5 | Steering | 5★ | 19 |
| 2012 | 296 | 5 | Steering | 5★ | 19 |
| 2009 | 331 | 7 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 2010 | 343 | 4 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 2019 | 386 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 20–23 |
| 2018 | 396 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 20–23 |
| 2007 | 428 | 5 | Power train | — | 18–19 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
462 | 6 | Air bags | 5★ | 18–19 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
704 | 4 | Power train | 4★ | 17–23 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
854 | 5 | Power train | — | 18–19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the GMC Acadia years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2008 GMC Acadia: 854 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 279 (33%); Electrical system 153 (18%); Air bags 150 (18%).
Reports mention 22 crashes, 13 fires, 38 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 82,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2017 GMC Acadia: 704 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 236 (34%); Electrical system 193 (27%); Air bags 76 (11%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 2 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 33,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2014 GMC Acadia: 462 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 246 (53%); Electrical system 90 (19%); Engine 45 (10%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 2 fires, 17 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The GMC Acadia years with the fewest complaints
2020 GMC Acadia: 106 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 29 (27%); Electrical system 28 (26%); Power train 22 (21%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2013 GMC Acadia: 135 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 38 (28%); Air bags 29 (21%); Power train 27 (20%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 8 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2021 GMC Acadia: 149 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 38 (26%); Engine 29 (19%); Fuel/propulsion system 24 (16%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 27,792 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in GMC Acadia owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 61 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 24,749 |
| 2022 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 149 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 27,792 |
| 2020 | 106 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2019 | 386 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2018 | 396 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2017 | 704 | 10 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 33,000 |
| 2016 | 236 | 8 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2015 | 243 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2014 | 462 | 15 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2013 | 135 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 83,000 |
| 2012 | 296 | 8 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2011 | 269 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 0 | 68,887 |
| 2010 | 343 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 75,000 |
| 2009 | 331 | 8 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 75,417 |
| 2008 | 854 | 22 | 13 | 38 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2007 | 428 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 78,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest GMC Acadia recalls
- HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT (2007–2009 model years; 1,365,070 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2010; 10V240000)
- Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail (2009–2014 model years; 1,339,355 vehicles across all models; filed May 2014; 14V266000)
- Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections (2008–2013 model years; 1,176,407 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V118000)
- Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2014–2017 model years; 995,085 vehicles across all models; filed May 2023; 23V334000)
- HEATED WIPER WASHER SYSTEM (2007–2008 model years; 857,735 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2008; 08V441000)
All 38 GMC Acadia recall campaigns · GMC Acadia problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
GMC Acadia years FAQ
Which GMC Acadia year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (106). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there GMC Acadia years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2008, 2017 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common GMC Acadia problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (1,376 of 5,568 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns covering the GMC Acadia. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the GMC Acadia recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.