Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 13,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | 9,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% | 34,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% | 33,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 0% | 22,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 1% | 112,000 miles |
| 2008 | 34 | 4% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 25 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Rear-View Camera Failure: The rear view camera functions intermittently. While in Reverse, the screen goes black, with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it. This SAFETY ISSUE increases risk of incidents resulting in injury and/or property damage while the vehicle is in reverse. I understand there already exists a NHTSA RECALL (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000) however, it states that only vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature are affected. My vehicle does not have the 360 Surround Vision (RPO UV2). but is experiencing the same SAFETY ISSUE!
The backup and surround view cameras repeatedly fail. I took it in once and they replaced the head unit. The problem reappeared within days after this repair. The design of this truck makes visibility without the cameras difficult at best and dangerous at worst.
The passenger wiper blade does not cover sufficient area of the windshield to permit the passenger to see the 'right' portion of the road. The unwiped area accumulates dirt and adds to the visual obstruction of falling rain. An unbelievable visual distortion of the road results. I am 70 and am appalled at the lack of wiper coverage in a critical portion of the windshield for the passenger. Most passengers assist the driver in the safe operation of the vehicle by calling attention to impending problems. Their contribution is limited in this vehicle due to the poor wiper coverage of the passenger side. The portion of the car above the bottom of the windshield was moved in on the sides of the car by design change. The normal swath of the passenger wiper for a full width car doesl not work with this redesign. …
Head lights are very dim making driving the vehicle at night very unsafe. Took vehicle to GMC dealer, tech said that head lights are within GMC specs. Too insane to drive this vehicle at night an accident or even death can occur.
A few years ago I was driving home and both headlights of our GMC Acadia went out at the same time. I drove home, in the country, in total darkness. We had them replaced by the garage, which was very, very expensive due to extreme difficulty accessing the headlights for this model. Since then, we have had to replace them two more times which we did ourselves due to the cost. We have owned this car since it's been brand new and have always had issues with seeing in the dark. For the last several years, we have had teen drivers driving this car. My son is worried so we recently we had it in the shop to adjust the headlights. They actually made them worse, which we didn't think could happen. They said they had their best mechanic on it but because they were doing it during their office hours, all daylight they never could see it at night. …
The chrome trim around the vents above the center navigation screen display are made of a mirror finish chrome unlike the matte trim that surrounds the navigation screen. When one is driving and the sun is approximately directly overhead, the sun reflects off the chrome trim and due to the angle of the trim, is reflects directly into the driver's eyes. As one cannot really change anything while driving during this period to block the reflection the driver is constantly been distracted with the sun reflection of the mirror like trim that is shinning in the driver's eyes.
While driving in heavy rains, the passenger's side windshield wiper stopped working on my 2015 GMC Acadia denali. The driver's side so far is still working. This occurred at the worst possible time in my area of massachusetts. We were experiencing heavy downpours and rain due to the remnants of hurricane florence. I contacted the GMC dealer, the associate advised it was not covered. I feel this is an extremely dangerous failure of safety on a vehicle that is only 3 years old. My visibility was diminished and luckily I was close to home. I did not feel safe driving because I didn't know when or if the other wiper would fail. I brought the vehicle to be serviced today.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the sunroof. The contact pulled over to a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, when the sunroof shattered without impact. The contact stated an unknown dealer was contacted however, no assistance was offered and the contact was referred to an auto glass shop. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and inspected but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,974.
Related recalls (4)
Visibility › Windshield
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 GMC Acadia and 2024 Cadilac XT5 and XT6 vehicles. The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield and apply primer and urethane sealant. If the windshield is damaged, the dealer will replace it. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
General motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet traverse, Buick enclave, and GMC acadia vehicles currently registered in alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 20, 2012.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
GM is recalling 88,809 my 2008 Buick enclave, and my 2007-2008 GMC acadia and Saturn outlook vehicles currently or previously registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiper crank arm, driver's side link, and a crank arm nut. The recall began o October 13, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Acadia years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (34), 2007 (25), 2012 (11), 2011 (9) and 2015 (7) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for GMC Acadia window & wiper problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 23V-681 (windshield, Oct 12, 2023); 15V-609 (motor, Sep 29, 2015); 12V-151 (linkages, Apr 9, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Acadia window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (25 mentions), followed by the power window devices and controls (4).
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.