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 2008 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Check engine light came on for the TCM. Car has had issues shifting (very rough shifting) and the manual shift option does not work. Was told the TCM had to be replaced. Attempt was made to replace it with a refurbished TCM but that couldn't be programmed to the car. Was then told I would have to buy a brand new one, which is very expensive, and that there was no guarantee that would fix the problem. Car can not be driven over 20mph without risking burning up the transmission. Car also jerks forward very hard when trying to gently accelerate.
Transmission failed, transmission slipped out of gear, transmission stuck in first gear, GM approved a 2013 safety recall for this vehicle, the transmission failed in 2017, the transmission was repaired and the entire engine has been replaced twice. The transmission is failing again because it is a product defect that is dangerous. GM has refused to repair or replace the vehicle and the autonation has refused to repair or replace the vehicle. GM and autonation have sold a dangerous used car with a fraudulent intent. GM and autonation have ratified the intentional fraud. The car needs to be replaced immediately because it is still dangerous to drive and the transmission is currently failing again.
Transmission went out. Had to fight with dealer about the fact that this is a known issue on these vehicles. I understand I was out of warranty. But how many people expect their trans to go out in the first 100K? If you own an Acadia, expect to replace transmission between 75-85K. There are hundreds of horror stories on transmissions in the Acadia, traverse, enclave, and outlook alone on the web. GM knows about it but never issued a recall for a sub standard transmission with faulty wave plates. But when it goes out, you get to pay for the "new and improved" version. Dealers are well versed in the failure. In addition to the trans, my sway bars had to be replaced before 50K and I had to pay for it. The headliner was damaged from clogged sunroof drain tubes which new design was installed. New style water pump. …
Purchased vehicle from dealer with 72000 miles with 4yr/48000 mile warranty. Warranty ran out this summer, mileage is now 133000 miles. Problem has been intermittent since early last year, but mechanics were not able to help because problems were not 'presenting' as the check engine light would go on and off at different times (just as the recalled service air bag light did!). In December 2015, the check engine began staying on all the time and the gears did not shift correctly. The TCM is messed up, which is a very common problem with all acadias, apparently. We had a very scary issue on xmas eve with the gears downshifting while we were on the highway and it wouldn't let me go over 20mph! We took it to first dealership over an hour away and the guy came out with a handheld computer, put in on our car, said it is our TCM and $3800 to fix it. …
Approximately 3 weeks ago, my 2008 GMC Acadia was serviced at 140,000 miles for worn out timing chains. Now, I am looking at problems with my transmission. How convenient. Within three weeks this vehicle has failed on me. The timing chains were rattling in turns when it was taken into the dealership and the problem was discovered. I actually visited and left the dealership several times before the problem was diagnosed, so I was riding around with a faulty part in my engine. The transmission went out after I had exited the interstate at which point I could not accelerate more than 10 MPH. Good thing I was not on the interstate when it decided to stall out on me as I can only imagine how disastrous that would have been. The 2007 and 2009 GMC models were recalled for timing chain issues, never the 2008 model. …
This vehicle will all of a sudden start swaying from side to side and the stabilitrak light will come on. In addition, the transmission will suddenly seize up, losing acceleration and nearly causing a crash. The engine will also state that it is overheating, all of a sudden and the vehicle will shut itself off and smoke will start coming from the engine. This has happened while going between 35 and 65 MPH. On the streets and highways. My children in the bucket seats in the back were sleep and their heads hit the window. They sustained injury. That was on a regular street and the speed limit was 35 MPH. I was within or slightly under the speed limit when the vehicle started swaying unexpectedly. When the road is wet, it will sway from side to side on simple curves in the road. I have had the transmission replaced twice. …
I bought the GMC Acadia used in 2014. It had about 80K miles on it, from a dealership. They assured me it has been inspected and I had an extended warranty on it. The transmission went out with my 5 children in the car on the freeway. I'm a special ed teacher and drive only 5 miles from my home and occasionally to los angeles to visit relatives. After 3 weeks of having the car, the transmission went out. I was horrified!!! The warranty covered the majority of the parts. But they charged almost $4000 for a transmission that they told me would be new, I found out later that it was rebuilt with new parts. Fast forward to 3 years later, the water pump, the fuel pump, the axle and the transmission and computer has went out again. Another almost $4000, this time it has to come out of my pocket as the warranty is expired. It is bleeding me dry. …
The transmission in my 2008 GMC Acadia is currently at the dealer with codes po752 and po700 which are the shift solenoid and the transmission control system. I was stuck in first gear driving the truck. The NHTSA reference #10052215 and TSB reference #sb-13120 explains the exact problem that occurred with my truck. GMC and the dealer are saying that I have to pay approx. $2500.00 which is a 65% to 35% split with the dealership ( mine being the 65%). I shouldn't have to pay for a safety issue that has been clearly identified by the NHTSA. I am just another dissatified customer with GM and would like to add my experience and truck problem to your data base. This problem has been happening for the past month or so. Also, there is already a recall that GM has sent out on the wave plates located in the transmission. Which they have extended the warranty to 10 years or 120000 miles. …
Since I purchased the vehicle the service air bag light has been on, now the transmission hot idle engine light is popping on and also service the traction control light and service stabilitrak ligt is coming on. Me my family had taken a vacation to florida and the transmission began to startle all the way back to tennessee leaving us in a devastated situation . I was hoping there was a recall on the transmission and and air bags this is very dangerous as many others has complained about the same issues in the past concerning their 2008 Acadia vehicles this vehicle was in motion on a city expressway with a high volume of fast moving traffic. I went to auto zone and o' reilly auto parts to have check engine test and the following codes appeared DTC p2762 torque converter clutch,p0700 automatic transmission control,p0171 fuel control system. And computer error. …
As I was driving onto the freeway and trying to merge my vehicle had slipped out of gear while it was in drive. I had no acceleration and I was on an incline. Once my vehicle slowed to 20mph it had re engaged and I was able to merge off of the freeway. This created a safety hazard for my girlfriend and I and her 3 young children because the speed limit on the freeway was 65 MPH with very limited space to merge because other drivers are trying to merge onto an exit ramp. This created a safety hazard not only for our family but for others trying to merge onto the freeway behind us at a very low speed and those trying to exit at the same time. Luckily for us nobody was hurt. The vehicle is now in the shop and we were told that it is the 3-5-r wave plate. …
Transmission complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 279 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 GMC Acadia, 33% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 GMC Acadia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 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 2008 GMC Acadia transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 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.