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 2011 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hi, I think the 2011 Acadia Denali should be in the recall along with the Terrain. The reason being that I always get flashed at night and every night as though I have the high lights on which I don't. That's every night. Please check into this. With all this road rage going on I worry I might come across one angry person or cause someone to wreck. Please I'm worried. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. The contact noticed that the front passenger side headlight had burned out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired; however, the failure recurred on the driver side approximately two weeks later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed that the headlight housing melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
Daytime running lights have overheated on both sides and have melted the plastic housing. The lights are extremely hot in a confined space and are in very close proximity to a flammable material. I noticed smoke coming out of the headlight and saw that it has melted the housing to the point where the bulb is now sitting directly on the melted plastic housing. These are the running lights....not the main headlights.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. While the vehicle was being serviced by the dealer, it was discovered that the light bulb melted inside the head lamp. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to remove the light bulb because the bulb melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Daytime running lights bulb melting, both left and right side, resulting in burning of headlight housing. Bulb can no longer be held in place because mounting fixture is melted away. The existing bulbs are made of plastic. I believe the filament is overheating the plastic bulb and causing a potential fire hazard.
My 2011 GMC Acadia denali had a drl go out. It was taken to the dealership and a new bulb was replaced. They informed me it still did not work with just a new bulb. The Acadia was then taken back to the dealership and was looked at again and they were able to fix the light and get it running. I got home a week later and noticed the passenger side bulb was now out. As I looked into the housing I can see the headlight housing was slightly melted and becoming severely cracked where the bulb is no longer being secured by the light. After seeing that I proceeded to look at the original light that was out and that housing was the same with a large piece of the chrome light housing missing, and again the light was just hanging inside the headlight and not secured to the housing. Looking at this thread and other forums, this is a big problem with GMC Acadia's. …
Headlight bulb and assembly system completely melted! Went to replace the bulbs that I thought were just blown out but the bulbs exploded and melted everything. Took it to the local dealership to fix and they said it would cost $2500.00 to fix in ordering new assembly. They said they have seen this happen on acadias before. I went online and sure enough melted headlights and wiring were a common problem. When I called the headquarters customer service line to ask if a recall had been issued a foreign gentleman wrote down my information and said someone will get back with you but there should be no reason it melted unless someone or something happened to it. I've never been in a wreck ever. I asked the guy what it would take to get this fixed me or one of my kids dying in a wreck and is suing you to make sure we have a safe vehicle. …
Took 2011 GMC Acadia in for regular service today and asked the dealership to change the front drivers side daytime headlight bulb since it had not been working for a few days. Was informed by the service technician that the bulb socket was corroded and melted and will need a whole new headlamp costing 995 for the headlamp and 400 for labor. I asked what could have caused this to happen and was told it seemed to be a problem with GMC Acadia's as they have seen similar problems with others of the same make and year. Obviously this is not a result of normal wear and tear and a manufacturing issue that needs to be looked into. The service technician said there's a possibility that the other side May melt and corrode as well as that is what they have been experiencing with other Acadia's recently.
2011 Acadia denali, has HID headlights for night time driving, and traditional incandescent lights for daytime running lights (drl). I noticed the driver's side drl bulb was burned out approximately a week ago (so ~5/12/2019), when I when to remove it to see what size bulb was needed part of the projector housing broke off with the bulb. I then noticed that the bulb socket was partially melted, and the dust seal around the bulb is also partially melted (brown and starting to melt). I also looked at the passengers side and, without removing the bulb, you can see that the projector housing on that side is also starting to bubble/melt. The drivers side bulb is melted enough that I cannot remove the entire bulb from the socket, only the glass wants to pull free. I feel lucky it didn't start a fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the passenger side running lights malfunctioned and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the headlight assembly melted and cracked, which causing the running light to malfunction. The light bulbs were replaced but the same failure recurred on the driver side light assembly. While driving in the rain, the vehicle suddenly began to hydroplane and the traction control light and check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that water was present inside the engine and the number five coil was damaged. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000. ...updated 05/14/15
Headlight complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the lights of the 2011 GMC Acadia, 14% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Acadia headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2011 GMC Acadia, though it has 5 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 2011 GMC Acadia headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 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.