Most common 2021 GMC Acadia problems
Share of the 154 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Acadia complaints by model year
Best Acadia years: 2013, 2022, 2020. Years to avoid: 2025, 2017, 2024, 2019, 2018. Compare all years →
2021 GMC Acadia recalls (2)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 GMC Acadia:
Rear-View Camera Failure
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-006) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in Model Year (MY) 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The complaints report that the screen for the RVC is black, sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it.
What 2021 GMC Acadia owners say
Electrical system all 39 →
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, traffic stopped abruptly, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate while the Forward Collision Avoidance warning feature activated with a red warning light on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to steer off the road to avoid a collision; however, the vehicle crashed into the vehicle ahead, resulting in a three-vehicle collision. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Another driver involved claimed unknown injuries, and the contact sustained whiplash but did not seek medical attention. Police were called, but a police report was not filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 29,000. The contact attempted to trade in the vehicle, and the purchasing dealer checked the VIN and retrieved a Carfax Report. The Carfax Report indicated that the mileage on the Title on 11/04/2024 was 58,000; however, on 02/04/2025, the mileage was 28,000, and the vehicle had been in an accident in the past.
Engine & cooling all 31 →
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the coolant fan was running after the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed due to the check engine warning light being illuminated. The contact was informed that DTC: P1098; was retrieved, which indicated a fault with the coolant control valve. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the coolant control valve had failed. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to the Manufacturer Recall Number: N252508341. However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while stopped at a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up with the RPM's increasing up to 15,000. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and vibrated as the transmission did a hard shift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who took the vehicle on a 24-minute test drive and no failure was found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and no failure was able to be determined. The failure occurred several times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 249.
Fuel & propulsion system all 30 →
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the failure had nearly caused the vehicle to be run over by a tractor trailer. The contact's wife and three minor children were also occupying the vehicle during the failure. The contact stated that he and his family could have been killed due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel pump power control module failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump power control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle started, and the contact exited the vehicle and ran into the house for a while. The contact stated that while reentering the vehicle, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was employed by an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was driven to the place of employment. The independent mechanic attached the mobile diagnostic tester to the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P023F, which indicated fuel pump secondary circuit failure. The contact was advised that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V422000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
2021 GMC Acadia engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 GMC Acadia a good car?
Based on 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Acadia rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Acadia at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
The electrical system — 39 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument panel › speedometer/odometer. Next are the engine & cooling (31) and fuel & propulsion system (30).
How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Acadia have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia, the most recent from September 22, 2022 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Acadia?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2022 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2017, 2024, 2019 and 2018. See the full GMC Acadia years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 GMC Acadia problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 82% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.