Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact became aware of white smoke coming from the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact and minor children exited the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, there was fire coming from underneath the hood. The Fire truck arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle had liability coverage, and the insurance company declined to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure had occurred while the contact's minor children were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. The contact and the children sustained smoke-related injuries. …
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to idle rapidly and smoke was exiting the hood. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for approximately an hour before driving to her residence. The contact never saw a fire while examining the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced along with an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owned a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, white and black smoke had leaked into the interior cabin through the air vents. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had caught on fire under the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road when the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The local fire department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The source of the fire was unidentified. A police report was filed. The contact sought medical attention for smoke inhalation. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot via the insurance provider. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was previously repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the failure was due to the timing chain and rod bearings. The failure mileage was approximately 133,208.
Shift to park issue known recall issue in other GMC Acadias ... Vehicle will not lock into park and can NOT remove key anymore electrical still runs in vehicle causing the battery to drain ... Now have to force vehicle to shift into Park as best as possible but still does not fully lock into Park gear anymore ... I was shifting into Park.
The car completely stopped while driving. Upon towing it to the shop, they stated the timing chain cause the engine to not work. This is a safety hazard due to anyone could of gotten hurt or this could have cause an accident due to I was not able to steer or do anything.
Check Engine Light. Faulty timing chain. Rack and pinion repairs needed. Examined by two automotive locations: LaFontaine Automotive GMC of Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Mazur's Total Automotive in Pinckney, MI
I was driving the car on the highway and smoke started coming out of the engine. Later it was determined that the engined died - there was never ever warning lights or warning that there was trouble with the car. It is a 3.6l sidi vg engine. It was very unfortunate as we haven't even owned the car for a year before it was completely dead. The cost was way too high too fix so we ended up giving it to a salvage place and bought a 2009 GMC Acadia. Not even a year into that car and it also needs a new engine. Same engine, a 3.6l sidi v6 engine. Our auto place said they are having a hard time finding that engine because many people need that engine for the exact same problem. Can not be a coincidence. I have contacted GMC and they don't care.
Check engine light came on. Took it to dealer and was told the error code indicated the timing chain tension was loose. Dealer said they would have to remove the engine to repair the timing chain. I was told by the dealer that this was a common problem with this engine and that all of the cars built in 2007, 2008, and 2009 were recalled and the warranty was extended to cover this problem. They said that the problem was resolved and the problem no longer affects this engine. It seems that the problem has not been fixed because the same problem has happened to my 2010 GMC Acadia. The dealer agreed that this is the same problem but GMC will not cover the repair on this vehicle. I have reached out to general motors customer care department but they will not help with this issue. I was told that they changed suppliers and the timing chain problem is no longer a problem. …
On 9 apr 2016 on the way to a church function, our 2010 Acadia told us it was reducing engine power and started missing and smoking a little. Thankfully we were just blocks from the house, so we turned around and limped it home. Later I moved it from the driveway to the street. This time, while still missing, the vehicle put out a dense fog of white smoke that smelled of gasoline. Thankfully no one lite a match. I used my OBD ii code reader to get failure codes p0087 and p0089 indicating low fuel rail pressure and injector issues. Subsequent research on-line LED me to TSB pip4924d (NHTSA# 100419330). I now am of the opinion that the issue is likely a fuel injector that is stuck open likely due to a fuel injector control line that is shorting to ground due to bad manufacturer design or improper maintenance by dealers fixing other issues. I view this issue as a huge safety problem. …
Engine complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 GMC Acadia, 24% of the model year's 343 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 GMC Acadia engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 GMC Acadia, though it has 4 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 2010 GMC Acadia engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.