Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 the battery had previously been replaced; however, the battery failed to retain a charge. The contact had to recharge the battery every day to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that water had leaked from the windshield and cowl to behind the glovebox, causing the battery to fail; however, no repair was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the sun roof was leaking water down the a pillar above the body control module main fuse block. The contact stated that the failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to gandrud Chevrolet (3792, 919 auto plaza dr, green bay, wi 54302, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that there was an electrical short. The cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the water traveled down to the driver's side door bulkhead plug and caused the shortage throughout the vehicle. The contact was a certified mechanic who replaced the body control module five times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. When the vehicle was purchased used in August of 2009, water leaked into the passenger side of the vehicle when making turns. The vehicle was taken to j & j motor sales (6524 lake michigan dr, allendale, mi 49401, [phone]), but they could not find any leaks or diagnose the failure. The contact also checked on her own, but could not find the source of the leak. Recently, the contact stated that water was collecting underneath where the blower fan was located on the passenger side, which caused it to short out. The contact was almost involved in a crash because the windshield would not defrost in the morning. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was 176,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake fluid was leaking into the power buster. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that water was leaking down from the sun roof into the electrical fuse box, causing corrosion and the vehicle would failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the water leaking into the fuse box was causing the vehicle not to turn off due to the corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. Updated 06/29/16 updated 08/02/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to release the key. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse box corroded the entire electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the sun roof leaked water. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 04/04/16 consumer stated ongoing problem with electrical system total failure caused by faulty sun roof drains. Drains leaked into fuse box causing total electrical system failure. Updated 05/25/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that this was the second time the sun roof drain line shifted and leaked water down the headliner. The failure flooded the driver side of the vehicle, side air bag, and visor without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the sun roof drained cube shifted and needed to be replaced. Also, the carpet and panel of the driver side had mold and needed to be to replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked, the sunroof leaked water into the vehicle. The water also leaked from the drivers side air bag. The contact also stated that the leak occurred from the rear dome light. The contact also stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred. The battery also failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. When the contact attempted to open the sun roof compartment, it was filled with water which affected the radio, turn signal volume, and radio. In addition, the electrical components that ran from the door into the side wall of all four doors, were filled with water. The vehicle also failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the blowing amplifier and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 108,153.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after turning the ignition switch to the off position, the vehicle would remain on and would sputter before turning off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and the cabin fuse box but the failures continued to occur. Local dealer bill kramer Chevrolet(2251 w. 23rd st. Panama city fl.) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, water poured down from the headliner and passenger side windshield. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the line to clear the air through needed to be blown out. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
GM is recalling 88,809 my 2008 Buick enclave, and my 2007-2008 GMC acadia and Saturn outlook vehicles currently or previously registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiper crank arm, driver's side link, and a crank arm nut. The recall began o October 13, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2008 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2008 GMC Acadia, 4% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 GMC Acadia window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-410 (linkages, Aug 14, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Acadia window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
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.