Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 GMC Acadia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that when she had placed the vehicle in reverse (R), and was applying the accelerator pedal, all of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into her neighbor's house. The contact stated that she was rendered unconscious. The contact stated that when she recovered consciousness the police were on scene and issued her a traffic citation. The contact stated that no emergency medical personnel were called to the scene of the accident. The contact stated that she had not gone to a doctor, but she had pain in her back and had bruises on both legs and feet. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that she had called here insurance provider who had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
I was in minor accident this past December. The airbag ruptured and cut up my face. I was extremely confused as to how this could happen and after doing a little research, I found out that the vehicle has an open recall for their air bags. I was extremely shook by this information because we were never notified for such a life threatening recall! I contacted gm over 3 weeks ago. The first person I spoke with expressed that she needed to escalate the issue to the right place and that someone would contact me. A week went by and I did not hear anything so I called, I was told that it was sent to the wrong place but they were going to make sure the matter would be sent to the correct department and that they would reach out to me within a few business days. I have not heard from another person at gm since.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Transmission is slipping Brakes / sometimes hydraulics not working properly Side and back sensors not working at all , malfunctioning of electrical components, while driving, all electronics inside vehicle went blank, anti theft system locked up, went to shut off car, will not start after the failed, oil consumption at 23% life oil cycle, oil pressure low, and engine locked up,
I was in an accident and my AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. Filed claim with progressive insurance (claim # [redacted]) which they have declared the vehicle a TOTAL LOSS.
GMC issued recall #N232404980 Re airbags that are faulty and may rupture releasing metal fragments causing injury or death. My vehicle is part of that recall. Immediately called my dealership after learning of this recall. My dealership states that yes my car is part of the airbag recall but they have no parts available to fix it. I was told by my dealership that no one has these parts yet. No timeline is available. When contacting GMC customer care I was asked to initiate a case or claim. They escalated the claim telling me if I feel unsafe driving my vehicle they are required to provide a rental until these repairs can be made. Weeks have gone by without any movement. My dealership says they need authorization from "someone" at GMC to provide me a loaner vehicle. The recall has been active for well over a month. …
Manufacturer Recall NumberN232404980 NHTSA Recall Number23V334 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2014-2017 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. In these vehicles, the front-driver airbag inflator may contain a supplier manufacturing defect that may result in inflator rupture during deployment. Safety Risk An in ator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the airbag and into the vehicle interior, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants. General Motors has failed to repair this in a timely manner. My vehicle is unsafe to drive, is a risk to myself and my children. I cannot afford to pay my loan for the car that I'm not supposed to drive and buy another safe vehicle. Gmc has let this go for months. …
We received a "important safety recall" notification letter from GMC in June 2023, informing us that there is a safety issue with the driver's side airbag. The recall reference number is N232404980. This recall calls out a potential hazard for metal fragments to pass through the airbag, which may result in injury or death. As of today, June 13, 2024, it has been over a year since we have received this notification, and there is still no resolution. I have called GMC directly, and was advised to "keep checking until a repair solution is available". Given that the cause of the recall can result in injury or death, a timeline of a year (or longer) to repair this issue is completely unacceptable. Someone needs to hold GMC accountable, and pressure them to make the repair for this recall available immediately. …
We received a "important safety recall" notification letter from GMC in June 2023, informing us that there is a safety issue with the driver's side airbag. The recall reference number is N232404980. This recall calls out a potential hazard for metal fragments to pass through the airbag, which may result in injury or death. As of today, May 29, 2024, it has been almost a full year since we have received this notification, and there is still no resolution. I have called GMC directly, and was advised to "keep checking until a repair solution is available". Given that the cause of the recall can result in injury or death, a timeline of a year (or longer) to repair this issue is completely unacceptable. Someone needs to hold GMC accountable, and pressure them to make the repair for this recall available immediately. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 GMC Acadia, 55% of the model year's 236 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver side › inflator module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Acadia airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-334 (inflator module, May 10, 2023); NHTSA recall 21V-246 (critical fasteners, Apr 8, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Acadia airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.