Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello so I notice 3 weeks ago my headlights keep cutting off and on then a week later my radio stopped working, The floor of the driver side is always wet after it rains. I noticed one day the rain started dripping on my feet when I drive after a big rain fall, I believe the car is not sealed properly and now water is coming out from the airbag signs in my vehicle and the car starting to smell like mildew. I think water is sitting in certain parts of my vehicle. I'm not sure what to do.
I HAVE A 2012 GMC acadia denali with about 147,000 miles on it and the "Service Air Bag" light is on I brought it somewhere to have the code read and the said there is about 5 different codes popping up for the issue... I've called auto shops around me locally and can't find anyone that is willing to look at it. I just want to know what my best options are as to getting this issue resolved. As I have never been in an accident so I don't know why the air bag light is on.
My wife and three daughters, ages 11, 9, and 6, were involved in a major crash. An elderly male traveled thru a steady red traffic signal and struck the passenger side of my wife's vehicle as she was crossing the intersection with a green traffic signal. After impact, they were pushed head on into a traffic standard (which was taken out completely) and then into a telephone pole, also head on. Not one airbag deployed. The vehicle is supposedly equipped with front and side airbags. In March of 2014 there was a recall concerning the airbags not deploying in these vehicles (# 14V118000). I have owned this vehicle since new and did return it to the dealership in May of 2014 for the recall shortly after receiving notification. I was advised that it was taken care of.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. While attempting to park the vehicle, it accelerated unexpectedly through a garage door. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the diagnostic results were not disclosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
The vehicle was in motion near an intersection and approaching the light to turn. ( near airport in raleigh nc) the front and side airbags failed to deploy during the crash. The other vehicle has been declared total loss and mine has significant damage and could be classified as total loss. There are personal injuries. I am attaching pictures of the vehicle and accident report.
The front passenger tire blew out causing me to run into the ditch. I was the only person in the vehicle but all the rear airbags deployed in the back but not in the front. The front seatbelts locked but not the back....
On 2/6/20 after getting into my vehicle and turning on the ignition vehicle wouldn't start so the same day I had my vehicle towed to a certified dealer in union. At the dealer they first stated the ground wire to starter was chewed up so they replaced the starter and then a few hours later they stated no comunication with ECM & BCM. They then stated theyfound water intrusion on passage side fuse block that shorted out the ECM and BCM. At dealer they replaced fuse block, ECM and BCM. Well after $2027.05 later they was able to get my vehicle running again but now the car radio and my OnStar in vehicle don't work, also traction control,,stabilitrak , ABS & airbag service lights are on. Two weeks later my car battery died so I replaced dead battery with a new one. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that three days after the vehicle was purchased, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kindle auto plaza Ford (523 stone harbor blvd, cape May court, [phone]), where the starter, the timing chain and the transmission were replaced. Additionally, the air bag sensor light illuminated while driving at an unknown speed. The vehicle was taking to the same dealer, where the front passenger's air bag sensor was replaced. The sensor failure recurred several times and the dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
I was driving in my neighborhood when my car started making a loud noise as I turned the wheel to the right. I turned onto my street and my car started smoking, smelled like something was burning, and the power steering went out. Luckily I was near my home. I looked underneath the vehicle and fluid was spraying out and the power steering pump busted out of nowhere. Not only was the power steering pump bad but the water pump is leaking also at the same time at 85000 miles. Another issue is that the service air bag has been on since I purchased the vehicle and I took it back to the dealership the next day and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it but it remains on. What if I'm in an accident and the air bags aren't working properly.
Air bag sensor warning light came on, carried it to fowler Buick GMC in August, 2015, system was reset. 2 weeks later, light came back on, went back to dealer, had air bag sensors replaced in drivers seat and passenger seat, which cost $1310.00. 2 weeks later warning light comes on and goes off several times when driving. Dealer service cannot find cause but informs me to that air bags will not deploy when warning light is on. 2012 Acadia has 81,000 miles on vehicle and I do not want to trade again. I would like to know what options I have since there appears to be nor call for this problem
Related recalls
Air bags › Critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014.
Airbag complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 GMC Acadia, 11% of the model year's 296 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 GMC Acadia airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-246 (critical fasteners, Apr 8, 2021); NHTSA recall 14V-118 (side/window, Mar 17, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Acadia airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to air bags 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.