Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side air bags deployed; however, the vehicle was not involved in a crash. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the starter was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
It was in a front end Collision the airbags didn't deploy my insurance said they totaled the car out due to needing a lot of money to fix it and I contacted gm about it they said there was no recalls and no repairs were don't to it
The service stability track warning will come on while driving. It will then make the SUV shut off. This is really terrifying since it happens while driving. After the SUV shuts off, you have to wait a couple minutes before you're able to restart. The last two months, the service airbag warning will come up on the screen out of no where. It will come on while driving and setting stationary. Water will pour out from the glove box while driving.
Lift gate closes by itself I have to put a pole to hold it up and it won't hit me, it says the air bags needs to be serviced, stabilitrak keeps going off, ball bearing needs work. Radio won't turn on no sound on air signals, the body chasis something popped while driving, the tracking control keeps turning off, the seats move while driving, catalytic converter are moving car only go 12 mpg.
Passenger Airbag warning light has been showing on my dash since I purchased the vehicle in October of 2021. I brought the vehicle to an auto repair shop to have it checked, and was told that the airbags would malfunction if I were to get into an accident that called for them to deploy.
The air bags light came on with no reason truck never being in a crash, the abs and the off road light is on too, the break lights are on while you don't step on the pedal and they go off when you step on it...
My wife fell asleep ran off the road struck a utility pole and a large dirt embankment. The air bags did not deploy nor did the belt tensioners,she hit the steering column so hard she it broke the column and broke her sternum. Our granddaughter was in the front passenger seat the air bag nor the tennsioners deployed resulting her back being broken in two places and also her foot was broken. I contacted general motors and they sent a man to download the computer information they sent me a copy of the info and later contacted me saying the info showed everything was working properly. Pryor to the accident I had the auto in for the recall on this problem. …
We have a 2008 GMC Acadia that now has approximately 164,000 miles. It was recently found out that a water leak has caused the airbag system to be come completely disabled. Water leaks in these model vehicles are a known issue and GM has put out technical service bulletins about these leaks and how to fix them. Because our vehicle is over the mileage limit the local dealership is saying GM will not warranty the leak repair or the damage to the airbag system from the leak. We are now faced with a bill of $1600 to repair the airbag system and unknown amount to repair the water leak and any other damage caused by it to the vehicle. What I do not understand is why a leaking sunroof with admitted factory defect issues from the manufacture has a mileage limit for warranty repairs. I can understand a time limit. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While accelerating from a stop sign and making a left turn, the power steering failed. The contact crashed into a tree. There were no warning indicators illuminated, but a recurring noise could be heard in the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired for the power steering failure. The front end damage was repaired. Several times prior to the crash, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed replacement. The power steering pump was replaced. The driver was not injured and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 56,155. Updated 01/06/17 updated 7/5/18 the consumer stated safety defect was repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The vehicle of the contact's sister was rear ended by a drunk driver at a traffic light. The contact discovered that the driver seat was fractured and the seat detached from its springs and hinges. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained lower back and face injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing company and the insurance company had possession of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014.
Airbag complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 150 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 GMC Acadia, 18% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 GMC Acadia airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-118 (side/window, Mar 17, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Acadia airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags 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.