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).
This is a complaint update#498946. I made all the necessary repairs outlined and detailed on the diagnostic report issued by the dealership. I picked my vehicle up on Thursday evening. I got up at 6:00 on Friday March 18th and noticed my OnStar diagnostic report had come through at 12:00 am and stated there was a problem with my emissions/transmission. I immediately at 8:30 called GMC manufacturing and they told me to take the vehicle back and GMC manufacturing made me a 1:00 appointment for the same say while I was on the phone. I had to be at work at 12 noon so my husband took it there and came back and told me that my transmission was bad. The dealership offered to but my vehicle back fir $18,500 or pay for the repairs myself $3.909. I asked for assistance since this was the initial problem I took it in for and it has network weeks and I haven't heard anything. …
On about 01/20/2025 my transmission? Auto started to shudder before going into 3rd gear threw 5th. Once in 6th gear at about 55 the auto starts to shudder and turns into a rumble feeling. My auto only has 100650 for miles on it. It has been serviced and have brought it to GM 01/24/25 to ask about it? After talking to service adviser. It would cost me 75.00 for someone to go with me to confirm it is doing it. Then make an appointment for further evaluation. No price given at this time. but did not on paper! Say That it is most likely torque converter causing the problem? Confirmed It is not under warranty and there was nothing GM could do.i have been to at least 3 other shops in my area and they all say the same thing and price. Which is between 6 to 7 thousand dollars to replace the transmission. They all dosay that when it goes it could make me loose control Due to lockup.
unknowingly what the actual issue is in This 2016 gmc has major safety risk in Electrical major different problems it has caused me safety issue with little one in the car and my family not knowing the issue with not understating it is a safety risk it has shut off 20 times restarting the radio for no reasoning also it sounds like the powertrain is going to stop working unless u put in L shift which i think that is nuts i was on the highway and it just stopped with the key locked in it like what actually f is going on this SUV has had problems since day one
I was driving about 30mph and accelerated to pass a truck and the transmission failed and the car lost any ability to accelerate and I had to coast to the side of the highway and have the car towed to the dealer. The dealer stated the transmission would need to be replaced and it would be $9000. Mileage is 77,013. This is the third time the transmission has malfunctioned and caused the car to lose power on the highway. It has been repaired twice previously.
While driving vehicle slowed down then stopped & would not restart for a while. After 15 mins was able to start but now try to drive & vehicle is vibrating tries to move forward then vibrates again stalls the engine dies then starts rolling backwards. The vehicle will restart but try driving the traction control comes on drives for about a foot then cuts off & rolls backward
The torque converter has been going since before I bought this vehicle. When the RPMs are between one and two, the entire vehicle starts shaking and there is no acceleration. This is a huge safety concern, especially with traffic.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The gear shifter was placed in the park position and the contact walked away from the vehicle. On the way back to the vehicle, the contact noticed it rolled onto the highway on its own. The contact ran after the vehicle and tried to stop it, but it ran over her right foot, crushed it, and crashed into a utility box. A police report was filed and the contact received medical attention for her foot. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V092000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000. Updated 06/21/17
Without warning transmission overheated, blew out fluid and caught the front end of the vehicle on fire
Transmission seemed to hesitate while shifting and slip at different speeds. Took to jim ellis mall of ga dealer where they determined the torque converter clutch had failed causing the shutter at all speeds. Dealer indicated the complete transmission needed to be replaced. Vehicle only had 111,000 miles and all preventive maintenance programs were followed including transmission flush at 65,000 miles. Vehicle is only 4 years old and never pulled a trailer or abused in any way. Since the new transmission was installed, the owner feels the original transmission ever felt right but can't prove it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia denali. While the driver was placing the kids in the car seat, with the key removed from the ignition switch and the gear shifter in park, a ticking noise was heard. The vehicle rolled away and crashed into a pillar. The fuel tank ruptured and caused a fire. The vehicle was towed to a safe location. The driver suffered minor injuries and the passengers were uninjured. The driver required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Transmission complaints in other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 GMC Acadia, 9% of the model year's 236 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Acadia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 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 2016 GMC Acadia transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries 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.