Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 30% | 5,000 miles |
| 2025 | 4 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 7 | 11% | 1,000 miles |
| 2023 | 13 | 28% | 25,000 miles |
| 2022 | 4 | 8% | — |
| 2021 | 17 | 11% | 4,000 miles |
| 2020 | 22 | 21% | 80,000 miles |
| 2019 | 154 | 40% | 50,000 miles |
| 2018 | 163 | 41% | 37,000 miles |
| 2017 | 236 | 33% | 36,000 miles |
| 2016 | 21 | 9% | 78,000 miles |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% | 89,000 miles |
| 2014 | 35 | 8% | 59,000 miles |
| 2013 | 27 | 20% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 43 | 15% | 99,000 miles |
| 2011 | 33 | 12% | 72,000 miles |
| 2010 | 43 | 13% | 79,000 miles |
| 2009 | 72 | 22% | 81,000 miles |
| 2008 | 279 | 33% | 77,000 miles |
| 2007 | 184 | 43% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while at a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the rear passenger's side of a Semi Truck. Both the AEB and the IAEB failed to engage during the incident. The vehicle sustained severe front-end damage. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy, and the Forward Collision Avoidance System failed to engage to prevent the crash. The driver sustained a neck and right shoulder injury. The front passenger seat occupant sustained a right arm and left leg injury, and a headache. No medical treatment was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,700.
Vehicle ran out of fuel and became disabled in an active roadway/exit ramp. The vehicle retained 12-volt electrical power and the dashboard and electronic controls remained operational. With the brake pedal depressed and the ignition/electrical system on, I attempted to shift the transmission from Park to Neutral so the vehicle could be pushed out of traffic. The vehicle repeatedly displayed "Conditions Not Correct for Shift" and remained locked in Park because the engine was not running. There appears to be no driver-accessible mechanical/manual override that allows the transmission to be placed in Neutral when the engine cannot run. As a result, a disabled vehicle with functioning electrical power can remain physically immobilized in a live traffic lane, creating a collision hazard and preventing occupants or bystanders from moving it to a safer location. …
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. …
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. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after his wife had driven the vehicle approximately 75-80 MPH on the highway, and was attempting to turn into the driveway, the vehicle inadvertently shut off. A message indicating a transmission failure and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for four months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle lost motive power in low gears while accelerating. There was a slight shudder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and shaking every 30 seconds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where unknown repairs were conducted under the EVAP warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the initial failure. The dealer test drove the vehicle but did not experience a failure. The failure recurred after leaving the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Related recalls (6)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles. The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-front half-shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Acadia years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (279), 2017 (236), 2007 (184), 2018 (163) and 2019 (154) model years. Transmission complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for GMC Acadia transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 23V-172 (automatic transmission, Mar 16, 2023); 23V-043 (driveshaft, Feb 2, 2023); 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Acadia transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (24 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (21).
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.