Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power with the battery saver mode activated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on two occasions, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on both occasions; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the service air bag and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the battery. The vehicle had not yet been taken back to the mechanic or a local dealer for further diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
when accelerating onto the freeway, hit 55mph and the car just stopped going. it would not go into any gear, turned off car and it still wouldnt go into gear. AAA showed up said "oh, we see this in the acadia all the time" plugged something in under the dash, the check engine light went off and he said "there you go, now it'll work fine, just dont give it hard gas when getting up to speed" turns out the code was a tranny code that when he cleared it the tranny would then work. Its bad enough i have to deal with this leaking A/C unit, 3 cans a week, and that smell is terrible, i cant even get the car up to speed when entering the freeway traffic. please make gmc fix these issues, i know im not the only one with both issues. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC Acadia. While the contact's 5-year old son was inside the vehicle, the gear shifter was switched to the neutral position. The vehicle rolled down an embankment and crashed into a creek. The keys were not present in the ignition switch at the time of the failure. The occupant sustained a bruised back and left arm, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000. Updated 01/04/17 updated 01/17/17.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC Acadia. While the vehicle was parked with the engine turned off, a passenger attempted to enter the vehicle and hit the gear shifter. As a result, the gear shifter moved out of the park position and the vehicle rolled forward into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A tow truck was able to pull the vehicle out of the ditch. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
My 2007 GMC Acadia spontaneously caught fire while driving. No warning lights and or notifications came on. My car began to fill with smoke from the floorboard and smoke came from the hood. The front end of the car was fully engulfed in a matter of minutes, total loss.
We got this 2007 GMC Acadia at 100,230 miles on August 2014. Now it has around 133,800 miles. At 115,000 miles it stated to have issues where it said stability track. The traction control turns off by itself and not sure if the stability and this are the same thing. Some electric parts have already failed. The charging outlet and electric windows don't work right. The passenger side can not be put down by driver side. The rear right side can only be put down of up by the driver. The left rear does not work when the driver puts it down or up. The power in the lift gate in the back has gone out. It only opens or closes manually. There was also a recall with the lift gate and we got it fixed. After it was fixed then a while later it would close on us and it almost hit us but we reacted fast. It only closed on us about three times then it stopped working. …
GMC please take accountability for the sunroof leak issue! Years of data, almost 100 complaints, someone should already know about this and have a solution! My car has serious leaking issues from the sunroof above the driver, electrical to cabin doesn't always work except dash lights, and headlights/turn signals work sporadically. The locks work when they're in the mood. Also means ac/heat works sometimes..I live up north and it's 24 today. My windshield wiper fluid remains empty because it randomly turns on and drains out: which also means replacing my wipers is a bad idea because they randomly turn on for at most an hour and dry wiping the window...and destroying the wiper blades. All wheel drive won't work, despite mechanic seeing no issues. I've taken down the mounts and tried to flush the draining tubes myself..and they're clear with no leaks when I tested the tubes. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle two months ago. On the first day, the vehicle had transmission failure and the transmission overheating indicator appeared. The vehicle started to slow down and sputter while driving. In addition, the vehicle had difficulty accelerating from a stop. While driving 75 MPH, the transmission overheating indicator illuminated again. The contact had to pull over and allow the vehicle to idle for a while. The vehicle was taken to the car store of burley (1001 e main st, burley, id 83318, [phone]) and they stated that the contact overfilled the transmission fluid. The dealer drained and refilled the fluid. The contact also stated that the instrument cluster stopped working occasionally and was not repaired. The dealer test drove the vehicle and found no failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was applied numerous times. In addition, the transmission failed to function properly when shifting and various warning indicators illuminated. Within a week of owning the vehicle, it was taken to the dealer (shoreline auto group inc, 2275 n state rd, ionia, mi 48846, [phone]). The dealer kept the vehicle for over a month due to no sound for the turn signals, various warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel, and the vehicle was slow to pick up speed. The dealer was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure for over a month. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failures months later to determine if they May be able to provide a solution to repair the vehicle. …
I bought a new GMC Acadia in 2007. January 8, 2008 GMC did a software upgrade to my transmission. At that point my mileage dropped about 6 miles per gallon and did not shift as nice as original. In late summer of 2014 I notice that my transmission was not right. On September 16, 2014 I had to replace the transmission at a cost of $3,999 at only 123,228 miles. This car was built and advertised to pull boats and campers. I have not pulled anything ever with the car. In March of 2015 I received a letter from GMC that they would reimburse 2007 GMC Acadia owners if they have had problems with the transmission. The car must be under 10 years old and under 120,000 miles. My car was under 10 years old, but over on mileage by 3,228 miles. GMC would not cover any of it. It is pretty poor when a car company can not build a $40,000 car with a transmission that would last.
Transmission complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 184 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 GMC Acadia, 43% of the model year's 428 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 GMC Acadia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 GMC Acadia, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 GMC Acadia transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.