Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | 5,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 4% | 6,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2021 | 10 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 34,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2017 | 76 | 11% | 51,000 miles |
| 2016 | 130 | 55% | 130,000 miles |
| 2015 | 108 | 44% | 95,000 miles |
| 2014 | 246 | 53% | 84,000 miles |
| 2013 | 29 | 21% | 95,000 miles |
| 2012 | 33 | 11% | 81,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% | 57,000 miles |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% | 62,000 miles |
| 2009 | 15 | 5% | 112,000 miles |
| 2008 | 150 | 18% | 84,000 miles |
| 2007 | 64 | 15% | 90,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal dinging sound. The contact stated service restraint system warning message was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the SDM module replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V702000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that she was rear-ended by another vehicle at a high rate of speed while attempting to make a left turn. As a result, the front passenger seat fractured. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact; the contact hit her head and was knocked unconscious during the incident. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for a hematoma on her forehead above her right eye. Her husband, who was driving the vehicle, was later treated for muscle pain in his back. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had to be notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle sustained significant damage; however, it had yet to be examined or deemed a loss. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. …
The ACADIA 2020 while in slow motion approaching my private condominium parking spot, accelerated autonomously and then slammed into the cement wall. Airbags deployed, no warning of collision, seriously damaged both car and cement wall. No bodily injuries. I researched the possible cause coded P2138 which involves the drive by wire sensors which connect the throttle pedal and the CPU that controls the mechanical throttle gas system. That might be the cause of the autonomous acceleration like explained about the P2138 sensors issues.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the brake pedal was applied but failed to slow the vehicle down. As a result, the contact rear ended a Chevrolet Tahoe. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The contact sustained soreness to the body and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop for structural damage. The contact stated that after the vehicle was in her possession the safety restraint system service message was displayed. The fuel gauge went from full to empty in seconds and the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the brakes were bleed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 33, 717.
I purchased a used 2019 GMC Acadia from Grieco Honda around November 20, 2023. They showed me a CarFax report indicating the vehicle had never been in an accident. Immediately after the purchase, I reported several issues and attempted to return the car under their 30-day warranty. However, the salesperson convinced me not to return it, assuring me that they would address all of the problems. From the beginning, I complained that the car shook violently when driving between 45-60 mph, especially during acceleration. The vehicle took an unusually long time to heat up, and the brakes were loud and squeaky. A few months later, after driving over a large speed bump, the airbag warning light turned on. During my next oil change, I mentioned this issue, along with a problem with the window sensor. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked at her work, she had attempted to start the vehicle and was unable. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact had smelled the strong odor of gasoline from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated a co-worker had looked underneath the vehicle and confirmed the leak of gasoline. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same independent mechanic, who advised that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that she was in a parking lot at a shopping center as she was looking for a parking spot, the driver's side air bag exploded, there was no crash. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that when the front driver's side seat was adjusted, the air bag warning light illuminated, and a message displayed on the instrument panel "Service Air Bags". The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the contact was informed by the mechanic not to adjust the front driver's side seat due to adjusting the seat triggering the sensor. The contact was concerned for her safety while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 issue. …
Related recalls (7)
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 › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 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 drivers air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300; Chevrolet customer service at…
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Acadia vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) may have been left in "manufacturing mode" and not activated at the assembly plant prior to shipment.
Remedy: The vehicles will be returned to the assembly plant for SDM activation. Both affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed.
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 › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020.
Show 2 more recalls
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
On certain vehicles, the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm), which controls the function of front air bags, May not operate properly. As a result, the front air bags May fail to deploy in a frontal crash. Also, the air bag warning lamp on the instrument panel May fail to provide warning that the system is inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sdm computer module. This recall began on February 22, 2007. Owners May contact GMC at 1-866-966-9463 or Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Acadia years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (246), 2008 (150), 2016 (130), 2015 (108) and 2017 (76) model years. Airbag complaints make up 53% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for GMC Acadia airbag problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 23V-334 (inflator module, May 10, 2023); 22V-246 (inflator module, Apr 14, 2022); 21V-702 (air bag/restraint control module, Sep 10, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Acadia airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (10 mentions), followed by the side/window (5).
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.