Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2025 | 6 | 9% | — |
| 2024 | 10 | 16% | — |
| 2023 | 13 | 28% | 20,000 miles |
| 2022 | 14 | 29% | 18,000 miles |
| 2021 | 31 | 20% | 37,000 miles |
| 2020 | 30 | 28% | 62,000 miles |
| 2019 | 58 | 15% | 55,000 miles |
| 2018 | 35 | 9% | 29,000 miles |
| 2017 | 64 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 6% | 31,000 miles |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% | 20,000 miles |
| 2014 | 47 | 10% | 65,000 miles |
| 2013 | 21 | 16% | 85,000 miles |
| 2012 | 37 | 13% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 56 | 21% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 84 | 24% | 98,000 miles |
| 2009 | 75 | 23% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 144 | 17% | 92,000 miles |
| 2007 | 58 | 14% | 84,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle experiences a transmission/drivetrain defect involving delayed gear engagement, hesitation, and apparent slipping. When accelerating from a complete stop (especially onto an incline) the engine RPM increases but the vehicle fails to accelerate as expected. The vehicle jerks and shakes violently and is unable to gain speed. This issue is intermittent but highly repeatable and occurs almost every time when there is a slope immediately after a stop sign. It results in loss of acceleration, violent shaking, and inability to maintain or build speed, creating a serious safety risk in traffic. It first happened around 1 year (early 2026) after the new car purchase (Nov 2025). There are no warning lights or messages. …
The vehicle has a serious transmission/drivetrain defect that repeatedly occurs when accelerating from a complete stop, especially onto an incline. The vehicle sometimes does not respond at all when the accelerator is pressed and fails to move, even though acceleration is being requested. In one recent incident, it remained stopped for about one minute before finally responding. During these events, the vehicle jerks and shakes severely and fails to gain speed as expected. This creates a major safety risk at stop signs, intersections, and uphill starts because the vehicle may not move when needed and cannot keep up with traffic. The problem has worsened, and during one of these incidents the check engine light came on. I have video evidence showing the loss of response to accelerator input, severe jerking/shaking, and the check engine light illuminating during the same event. …
In the process of taking my daughter to the emergency room I receive a dash notification on my recently purchased 2024 GMC Acadia "car overheating, possible engine failure". My gauges were within normal range and being that I was in an emergency I kept traveling. Leave hospital to head home the error message is gone. The following Monday, January 5th, heading in to work I receive the same error message on my dash "car overheating, possible engine failure". Drove to the nearest mechanic, left my car, and they discover a leak in the upper radiator hose. They call with bad news that the part is on nationwide back order. GM admitted to a faulty design, in the process of redesign. A SPAC case with a local GM dealership was opened. GM would expedite my case if I towed to a GM dealer. I would have to pay for the tow. And just how can my case be expedited if the part isn't available? It can't. …
We purchased our 2024 Acadia in June 2025. Since we have had the vehicle, it has been in the shop going on 6 times. First the sunroof seal came off, then the antenna cover fell off, the driver side rear panel had to be replaced because it was coming off. Once all this was done then the vehicle started leaking transmission fluid, took it to the dealer to get fixed, once we get it back the coolant starts leaking from the radiator hose, took it in to get repaired, now there is knocking noise coming from the engine/hood. Every time we take it in to get repaired a new problem pops up. We purchased the vehicle to have a safe way to get our kids around and it has been nothing but a headache and run around from the dealership. GMC really needs to resolve this issue. Parts seem to be on never-ending backorder with no ETA.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that with the stop/start feature activated and while attempting to park the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was slightly pressed in order to slowly move the vehicle forward. The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward, over a curb, and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 5,665.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the brake was released, and the vehicle lunged forward and collided with a Rental Movie machine coming to a stop at a building. No safety features were activated. The air bags were deployed. The contact sustained leg, hand, stomach, breast, and chest injuries. Medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
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. …
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the stability track warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact stated that an unknown fluid was shooting out onto the contact's foot. In addition, the contact stated that the front driver's and the passenger's floorboards were soiled with the fluid. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle was driven without further failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while her six children were inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Acadia years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (144), 2010 (84), 2009 (75), 2017 (64) and 2007 (58) model years. Engine complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for GMC Acadia engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any GMC Acadia model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Acadia engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system (6 mentions), followed by the engine (3).
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.