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 2010 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2010 GMC Acadia transmission had to be replaced due to faulty wave plate. I have seen many others with this same problem. GM is aware of the issue and even issued a special warranty for 2007-2009 models. 2010 models are having this same issue. GM should stand behind their products and issue a recall. This cost us over $3000.
We bought our 2010 Acadia certified used with 60,000. Water pump went out, navigational system stop working and I noticed a hesitation in shifting from time to time but not consistent. This all right after purchasing. The dealership fixed water pump as it was still under warranty. I took the vehicle in for a recall notice and asked if they could find what was wrong with the dvd/cd player, was told I needed a new radio. I also told the mechanic I thought something was wrong with the transmission, that issue was not addressed as though I hadn't mentioned it. So I went online to see if I could find a way to fix the dvd/cd player myself and that's when I found all these other Acadia owners with the same issues...so I thought it best to get rid of this time bomb before its too late. …
At 80,000 miles, after pulling out of parking, when I applied brakes the car started making rumbling noise from the engine and lurched forward despite pressing on brakes to stop. Pulled into a parking spot, while continuing to fight lurching of vehicle and turned car off to check engine oil, transmission oil, and power steering oil levels. All were fine. When attempted restart of vehicle, loud rumbling noise from engine, check engine light flickered and the car failed to start. Required a tow home from 100 miles away and $400. Hooked up OBD, and received the following faults p0008, p0303, p0305, p0017, p0300, p0301. After researching on-line, common faults for timing chain issue estimate $3-4 thousand repair. Also, found 2007-2009 Acadia received extended warranty for same issue. However, 2010 not covered despite finding approximately 15 identical 2010 GMC Acadia on NHTSA site. …
While driving, my transmission was slipping occasionally and then it became a daily occurrence and multiple times a day occurance. When it slipped, I could feel it and the rpms would increase. I took it to a local transmission shop and it turned out to be a 3/5 wave plate failure. The broken parts damaged the rest of my transmission and I had to have a complete rebuild. I was lucky that I brought it in to be checked as I found out that this issue could have caused the transmission to fail completely which could have put the occupants of my vehicle at risk of injury or death due to an accident caused by loss of power due to a drivetrain failure. I have also read that there was a recall for the same issue on the 07-09's and that recall was #14404 special coverage transmission clutch wave plate. …
The cam shaft engine correlation code indicated stretched timing and chain guides. Extended warrantees up to 10 years and 120,000 miles have been offered for 2007 and 2009 GMC acadias with the same problem. To date they have not been offered for the 2010 model even though it's the same issue. Mine failed at 51,000 miles. Had to have the timing chains replaced. Dealership repaired with GM paying half. This should be a recall due to the fact my car was manufactured in 2009 and should fall under the above mentioned recall as the failure is for the same reason. I am concerned why special coverage #11340 does not apply to 2010 vehicles of this nature as there are many issues with this that have not been resolved in the 2010 vehicle.
When I need to drive from a slow speed to a high speed like when entering a freeway the RPM's start going crazy. When I press on the gas the car barely moves and the RPM's go way up and don't stop until I pull over. I had a car behind me that almost crashed into me because my vehicle would not accelerate. I took it to a repair shop and was told that it needs a new transmission and this vehicle is known for having a bad transmission. Turns out that there was a recall for the same issue on the 08-09's and mine is a 2010 that recall was #14404 special coverage transmission clutch wave plate. I am sure that this one needs to be recalled as well. This is a huge safety hazard someone could get hurt really bad.
My Acadia started acting up and shifting gears hard when going up mountains then it started not wanting to change gears from 3 to 4 and the code ran was shifter stuck also once getting it in the shop was reading 3 other transmission codes and was told my transmission will need to be rebuilt for $2800.00 I was also told that this vehicle when made was notorious for transmission issues and that GM was covering the problem up to 100K miles mine now has 168K but I was never told and it didn't show as a recall to have anything done about this. As a single mother of 3 $2800. Isn't easy to just come up with especially after having has other problems that had to be fixed. What can be done about this?
After taking vehicle to dealership and paying to have the EVAP system fixed my check engine light came back on before ever leaving the dealership. No codes would show when checked. Now they are saying that it must be the timing chain and that it will cost over $2000 to repair. I have spoken to several other mechanics who have stated that it is a known problem in this model car. After checking it seems that several other years have been recalled and no changes were made to the product but yet the 2010 is not included but it is a known defect in that year as well. I believe GMC should be required to fix this since it is a know defective system.
My car has less than 73000 miles on it and the engine light came on. The code indicated it was the timing chain. The car broke down on the highway and had to be towed to a repair shop. After researching the problem, I discovered that this same problem has happened to a very large number of owners of both Chevrolet traverse and GMC Acadia. The problem was suppose to have been fixed after 2009 but 2010's and later models are still having this problem. Something needs to be done about this. GM will not help with repairs even though the vehicle has less than 100,000 miles on it. That was the only running vehicle we had!
After I pull into my driveway and put my car in park and turn off the ignition the car gets stuck in park and wont shift back out for hours. Also when I'm driving the car states that the engine is in reduced power and the traction control is off and to service stabilitrak. This is a common problem with this vehicle of all years from 2007 to the present it needs to be fixed 6 deaths so far and still no recall to fix my car I dont want to end up being another death if you dont fix this issue
Transmission complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 GMC Acadia, 13% of the model year's 343 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 GMC Acadia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 22% 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.