Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2025 | 40 | 60% | — |
| 2024 | 25 | 41% | 7,000 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% | 81,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 6% | 28,000 miles |
| 2021 | 19 | 12% | 26,000 miles |
| 2020 | 8 | 8% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 17 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 22 | 6% | 41,000 miles |
| 2017 | 36 | 5% | 38,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% | 24,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% | 94,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 3% | 23,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% | 90,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% | 13,000 miles |
| 2008 | 31 | 4% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 2% | 39,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
We filled a report on 04/04/2026 with NHTSA at 12:16 pm but can't find a copy of the whole report. My husband John Chandler was driving our 2025 GMC Avadia Elevation. He was backing out of a parking place when he noticed it wouldn't stop while putting his foot on the break. He was able to put it into drive and it lundged forward and wouldn't stop. He kept pushing with both feet on the break and wouldn't stop. I tried pushing the start button to stop but because his feet were on the break it would restart so then pushed the park button and it stopped as we hit the building. The air bags did not depoy so not going that fast. I pushed the button for 911 and they came on to assist and call police. They asked if everyone was al right and other questions. Lucky no one was hurt and thank God for that. Tow truck was called and taken to local tow yard. …
I have had my 2025 GMC Acadia Denali for 1 week with 336 miles on it. When I went to start it on the evening of [redacted], I felt the brake pulse. Then the dash lite up with message to Service ESC. The brake icon was lite up red and ABS was lite up yellow color. I took my vehicle to our local Jeff Fender GMC dealership the next morning. The service tech did a brake pressure test which passed. He cleared the codes. When I went out to leave the dealership, the codes came back on. The service tech said it is NOT safe to drive because my brakes can fail at anytime. Service said they need to replace the master cylinder. With this issue, my brakes could fail & a horrible crash could occur causing injuries and/or death. Service rep told me this has happened to a new Yukon too. My husband called the dealership in Lake City, FL, where we purchased the Acadia from & spoke to a service rep. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Acadia. The contact stated there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the brake pads were replaced; however, the failure returned several days later after the repair. In addition, the contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact also stated that both taillights had failed to operate as needed and the message "Check Left Rear Turn Lamp" and "Check Right Rear Turn Lamp" messages were displayed a day apart. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the mechanic confirmed that there was a transmission fluid leak due to defective bolts. The dealer also replaced the rear taillights. …
When backing into my driveway the brakes failed. I was nosing the car across the street towards the neighbors driveway so I could put the car in reverse and back it into the driveway. I applied the brakes while traveling at about 3-4mph when the brakes had little resistance and went straight to the floor and the vehicle continued moving forward. Attempted to apply brakes again and the same result. Ended up hitting the neighbors parked car in their driveway. Luckily it was a very low rate of speed so there was minimal damage and nobody was hurt. There were no warning lights present before, during, or after the incident. The vehicle got towed to a local GMC dealership who could not replicate the issue. Insurance is still looking into the issue.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. A dealer and independent mechanic were contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the brake pads wear was uneven on the driver's side and the driver's side front caliper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The brake pads were replaced; however, the caliper was not yet replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at 2-3 MPH, the brake pedal became firm for 3-5 seconds. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The messages "Low Engine Power" and "Service ESC" were momentarily displayed after the failure. The vehicle was shifted into park(P), and the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and retrieved DTC: C05CC. The dealer was notified of the failure via a voicemail message. The failure mileage was 80,606.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to stop, smoke began to fill the cabin of the vehicle. The transmission was switched to the park position and the contact exited the vehicle and discovered flames and smoke coming from the front brake rotors. Moments later a clicking noise was heard and the unoccupied vehicle rolled down an incline and crashed into a tree and came to a stop. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 15,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Acadia. The vehicle was recently purchased, and at the time of purchase, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the emissions system had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, three days after the vehicle was picked up from the dealer, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rotors and brakes had failed, and the lining for the front two wheels was damaged. In addition, the contact informed the dealer that all four windows failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the buttons to roll up or down the windows failed to operate as needed. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. …
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cadillac XT5 vehicles manufactured April 16, 2016, to May 9, 2016, and 2017 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 19, 2016, to April 22, 2016. The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake calipers, replacing the brake caliper assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a "Brake System Failure" message at start up or while driving.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Acadia years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2025 (40), 2017 (36), 2008 (31), 2024 (25) and 2018 (22) model years. Brake complaints make up 60% of all complaints for the 2025.
Is there a recall for GMC Acadia brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-802 (caliper, Nov 4, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Acadia brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › master cylinder (2 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (1).
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.