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 2011 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On July 27 at 400 pm I arrived home and my daughter went to take out the trash and I heard her scream daddy the car is on fire. I rushed outside and flames were 6 ft tall I called 911. After putting the fire out he stated th car was running doors locked so they couldn't open the hood
2011 gmc Acadia slt gear shift does not lock causing it to slip into neutral with slightest bump of shifter or sudden hard breaking Also passenger seat belt does not.lock at all when breaking and driver side seat belt never unlocks there are safty recalls on these issues for this model but.says mine has zero unfixed recall also defrosting and mirror defrost does not work properly causing me to have very bad visibility I had a close call when driving in Houston a week ago when I had to slam breaks due to a crazy driver who did not see me.and cut me off the lane my gear shifted into neutral causing me to not be able to accelerate after breaking to avoid the next speeding car fortunately I was lucky and was able to quickly shift back into drive and go there are electrical issues as well and there has only been one other owner and well maintained so I don't know what to do next my passenger …
I was driving on the freeway then my car suddenly started slowing down. I tried changing lane so i can pull over on the side of the freeway but unfortunately i couldn't get to pull over before the car completely stopped on the freeway. I called AAA. They sent a tow truck which came to the freeway to tow my car. My husband came and took me to work. The car was towed to a GMC dealership. I went to the dealership after work. I was told my car has timing chain problem and if not fixed will damage the engine. I went online to read reviews of this car only to see it was a very common problem for this year and model of GMC which if i have ever read those reviews i would not have bought a GMC. This vehicle should be recalled for this issue.
Looses power while driving. Cannot jump the battery it needs to be recharged every time. Power steering stops working while driving( low rpm and when stopped) dangerous for merging or lane changes. Engine shudders when trying to accelerate. TCM/ ECM replaced 2020. Problem still persists. Whining noise upon start of the vehicle. Auto start will not work. traction control light, check engine airbag and
While driving down the road, transmission will shudder and have difficulty maintaining constant speed. This is especially dangerous while merging on to the highway. It is searching for the gear to be in while rpms are fluctuating.
Accordingly, the said vehicle first manifested a dangerous defect issue on July 14, 2021, while traveling out of town. A significant and abrupt reduction of power completely disabled the vehicle while parking in a parking space .Despite several attempts, the vehicle still fail to start. Only to notice the engine light illuminating and flashing repeatedly. At the same time the dashboard indicated a faulty reading of fuel and oil. This is a very serious and frightened situation because I received absolutely no warning before the vehicle shut down. Without reason of doubt, I do believe it is unsafe, extremely dangerous and is potentially a hazardous situation that should be investigated. Fortunately, I was in a parking lot went the problem occurred. Whereas, if the vehicle engine stopped abruptly in the mist of traffic it could have resulted with a different outcome. …
Vehicle came out of park sitting in driveway while being cleaned out. The key was not in the ignition; however the gear shift was shifted into park as someone reached over across the seat. Passenger side doors were open and as the vehicle rolled , the doors hit my pouch causing damage to the front and rear passenger doors. My children had to jump out of the way to avoid being ran over. There is a serious defect on 2011 Acadia and the results could have been deadly. I need for GMC to fix this problem. The gear shifter is not suppose to move without the key in the ignition and turned to the on position plus the brake must be push to active. So GMC what happen? I could be burying one of my children. The damage is over $2300 and I have a $500 deductible not including the cost to fix why the gear shifter was able to move. …
Transmission flares out (goes into neutral) between gears when merging into highway traffic at speeds of around 45-60 MPH. Most often occurs when initially accelerating to merge into faster traffic and then having to take my foot off the gas for a second or two to allow faster cars to go by, and then trying to accelerate again. The transmission is in neutral and it seems it is caught between gears (4th & 5th gears I believe) when I try to accelerate again. Engine revs to 5000 to 6000 RPM range because it is not in gear. Have to take foot off of the gas and wait a couple seconds for transmission to get into gear so I can continue driving. In the meantime faster cars are approaching as I'm in the middle of merging into highway traffic. Not being able to accelerate when merging into highway traffic creates a very unsafe situation. …
I was complaining about the performance of this vehicle to the dealer for the past three years. Now that the warranty is expired, I had to change the driveshaft, fell out while transporting passengers; transfer case, the transition from drive, the automatic shift would jerk; a passenger I had in the car told me one day I would not make it up a hill. One week later it happened. Transmission, the vehicle wouldn't move even when gas was applied; 6 coils and plugs, the bad smell of something burning was scary. I had to pull off the road because the reduce power light come on. Yesterday, 12/26/16, I went through this again!!! There is a rubbing sound in one of my wheels, don't know what that is yet. I also changed the axels and about to change the tie rods for a clunking noise while making turns on uneven surfaces. I made numerous complaints to GMC hq and the dealer here in the vi from 2013. …
The car shutters intermediately when driven at higher posted speed limits. From about 40/45 miles per hour up to about 60 miles an hour. The vibration shakes the entire vehicle. Letting off the gas or acceleration will stop it, but go back to a steady speed, and it returns. Have kept up with service and the vehicle is in tremendous condition, but this condition is present in all weather and temperatures and seems to not have a cure. Have replaced all possible causes, including torque converter and possible sensors. Has not gone away. Noted that other owners have posted similar/same complaints on the same year and make. Same complaint with sister car 2011 Saturn outlook. There is a problem with the drive train and needs to be fixed. …
Transmission complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 GMC Acadia, 12% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Acadia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.