2009 GMC Acadia Electrical Problems

47 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2009 GMC Acadia to NHTSA — 14% of all 331 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 70,000 miles. That ranks #7 of 20 Acadia model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 39). One related recall has been issued.

47complaints
70ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
5fires
2injuries

Which parts fail

  • Ignition
    2

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    26%
  • 25k–50k
    1029%
  • 50k–75k
    617%
  • 75k–100k
    26%
  • 100k–150k
    1440%
  • 150k+
    13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a fuel module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V614000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 148,000.

148,000 miles · Oct 2022

The sunroof has leaked into my passanger floor making my car battery full of water legit my whole battery is under water! This is the second time the sunroof has leaked ! I still don't understand why they would put a battery behind my passanger seat infront of the back seat on the floor this is very dangerous. Second I still have no clue why this car has no recalls because if you look this car up it has so many problems it's a lemon car for sure I had to put a catalytic converters in my car three times the same one three times and then the last time I changed all three of them when only one needed to be changed! …

Oct 2021

The wire harness corroded , and it caused everything in my car to stop working my back passenger window won't go down , my back driver side cannot be put up or down from the back , my airbag light is now on and now my car will not shift while driving to allow me to drive it over 30mph .. I've paid the dealer almost $1400 to fix wiring. I've owned the car exactly a year now

May 2022

Stabilitrak system in 2009 gmc Acadia randomly acts up disabling abs system and traction control. Also randomly get a low oil pressure warning light but oil level, temperature is fine and no noises smoke or performance decline. Used different scan tools to read codes and the vechile has none listed. Changed numerous sensors and the problem is never resolved

May 2023

The stabilizer/traction control keeps going off and it will stay off.i can turn,hit a bump or start it up and the traction control/stabilizer system is off.i almost had a accident on the freeway in the rain because it turned off out of nowhere and I almost lost control

Nov 2023

1.)What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A.) To start with i went in to the dealership for a timing chain recall they said the work was performed. This was never done all they did was replace ECU from an older car so that the code would not come back (REPLACED WITH A 2002 ECU) to get rid of the timing chain recall code. this code never existed in 2002..Complete negligence these SUV could hurt or kill someone B.)Huge Electrical issue suv stops on its own while driving. Sometimes does not start at all. can not pass emission for the life of it .. new codes all the time i have replaced just about Every sensor and switch there is.. . this is a money pit and death trap.. C.) The Investigation NHTSA should have included the Lambda Frame it's the same design flaw they're trying to fix one problem with an old problem. …

Aug 2021

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the day time running lights failed on several occasions. The contact indicated that the sockets and housing failed to support the power for the lighting wattage, causing the components to prematurely melt. The bulbs were replaced more than twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who recommended that the housing be replaced for the day time running light assemblies. The failure recurred with both lights shorting. The dealer, per the contact's request, disconnected the day time running lights to prevent the failure from recurring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided no remedy. In addition, the contact experienced the rear liftgate closing with force, which bruised his head. …

47,000 miles · Sep 2011 · fire · 1 injury

My 2009 GMC Acadia was sitting in my mothers driveway, when a neighborhood came and said my car was on fire. It was not running and no signs of arson. The vehicle inside almost completely burnt, with most of the damage being on the drivers side, steering well, door, and dashboard. The SUV literally just caught fire in the driveway. The cleveland fire department was called and had to put the flames out. After research I found that there was an recall in 2010 from GMC NHTSA campaign number 10V240000. Heated windshield module short circuit. This recall was for 2007-2009 GMC's

130,000 miles · Jun 2018 · fire

Car stalls as I am turning into parking spots, turning or going around significant curves in the road, while im in a round about etc. Luckily I have been able to put the car in neutral and it starts back up and off I go. I am the second owner of this car and I bought it from a non GM dealer. My mechanic is at a loss as to what is wrong because a) there are no codes that are coming up and b) the stalling is very sporadic, it will do it twice in one week and then not do it again for 3 weeks. I have had this car about 5 months and it has happened about a dozen times. I pulled the carfax and called the dealership that did all the work on it with the previous owner. After speaking with the service department, I was told that the previous owner had the same problems and the dealer could not get the car to malfunction while they had it in for servicing. …

70,000 miles · Apr 2015

I go through headlights every 6 months this last time, my driver side headlight got replaced and two days later it went out and the glass was shattered. I went and got new bulb and it did not work, after inspecting the the wiring we noticed it was burnt up and need replaced, GMC said it's on us. We have spoke with GMC about our engine burning oil which they are well aware of and the dealership tried to help but GMC refused to do anything my car send a signal telling me to turn off the car or starts miss firing every which way and gives codes saying I need new coils which is not the case. The air bag light goes off saying that there is someone in the passenger seat because the calibration get off, it took mcdaniel's to figure it out the other dealership blamed it on electronics. …

112,000 miles · Oct 2020

Related recalls

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 10V-240 · Jun 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles

GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…

Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…

Electrical complaints in other Acadia years

’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2657153474547413890282519310910528391510843
Electrical complaints per model year, GMC Acadia.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2009 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA has 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 GMC Acadia, 14% of the model year's 331 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2009 GMC Acadia electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2009 GMC Acadia electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.