Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the headlight melted and left a hole in the lamp. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the headlight assembly, but the failure recurred. The contact called victory Chevrolet Buick at [phone] (located at 1250 dexter st, milan, mi 48160) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
My headlights on my 2010 GMC Acadia go out numerous times a year. Typically one headlight will burn out and a few days later the other headlight burns out. We replace the headlight usually but this time we went to replace the build and the new bulb wouldn't work. This is getting extremely costly to replace he bulbs a few times a year and. Is we might have an even bigger problem with the new bulb not working at all. When the headlights stop working sometimes they will come back on then go off again then come back on and then eventually burn the bulb. Typically all this happens when the car is just started.. I bought this car new and we've had nothing but problems with it. It's in he shop getrjfn fixed a few times a year.
A few months after purchasing a certified 2010 Acadia the passenger low beam would work intermittent. I took it to the dealer and was told it would cost me over $1000 for them to fix it even though it was still under warranty. I few months later the passenger side low beam started to do the same. I again took it to the dealer and was told it was not there problem and would fix it if I paid for the fix. Now neither low beam will work and I have to use the fog lights if I want to drive at night. The visibility is terrible and unsafe. This was an issue GM and the dealer knew before selling the vehicle to me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, the headlamp connector were replaced for overheating and melting. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (bob howard Buick GMC address: 13300 broadway ext, oklahoma city, OK 73114) the vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The diagnosis was failed headlamps the contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Tp
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. While driving 30 MPH, the contact smelled smoke. The bulb overheated and caused the socket and wires to burn and the headlight housing to melt. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer's recall for a related failure in 2013. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bulb overheated and caused the socket, the wires, and the headlight housing unit to burn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,279.
I own a 2010 GMC Acadia... I've had to replace the low beams on both passenger and driver side numerous times!!!!!!!! I'm a single mother of 3... Not only is it extremely dangerous for your headlights to go out at any given moment(especially when my children are in the vehicle... Not to mention other motorists children) but its also costly!!!!! This all started back in aug 2018... This is getting ridiculous!!! I've done my dues... Worked hard to pay my vehicle off...all I wanted was a good and reliable vehicle for my family... And it's far from safe!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an electrical failure that affected the tail lights, license plate light, headlights, and power lift gate. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer, but it was not diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact to set up an appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
The transmission slips. When you start the vehicle it sometimes starts in the wrong gear and needs to be shut off an restarted, otherwise it runs on too many RPM. At times when pushing on the gas, after a stop at a light, it does not move for a while. When it does move it jerks and abruptly starts. The running day head lamp overheats and burns out the light bulb, causing it to explode.
I noticed both of my driving lights had gone out and went to replace. They are the HID headlight assemblies and the driving light sockets and bulbs melted together resulting in cracking that reflector/projection in the assembly.my VIN is not the "VIN specific" included in the special recall 14283, but I have that exact issue.
The drivers and passengers headlights keep burning out. I have replaced the drivers side 3 times and the passenger side 2 times in the last 6 months. This is very dangerous as this is a family car and this has happened while driving down the road.
Headlight complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2010 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 2010 GMC Acadia, 7% of the model year's 343 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 GMC Acadia headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.