Which GMC Acadia years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2019 as Avoid years for the Acadia, based on complaint index and recall counts. The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and 854 complaints, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain issues.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Santa Fe. The 2017 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 966 complaints, mostly tied to the engine.

Does the Santa Fe have more recalls than the Acadia?

Yes. The Santa Fe has 41 total recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 37 for the Acadia across 19 model years.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Acadia or Santa Fe?

The Santa Fe averages 21.3 MPG combined across its model years compared to 20.3 MPG combined for the Acadia.

Are these complaint totals adjusted for how many were sold?

No. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so the total complaint counts for both models are not normalized per vehicle sold.

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Which Years to Avoid

GMC Acadia years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2019; Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025. Acadia logs 5,551 total complaints across 19 model years (292 per year) and 37 recalls; Santa Fe logs 6,630 across 21 model years (316 per year) and 41 recalls. Acadia averages 20.3 MPG combined versus 21.3 MPG for Santa Fe.

Head to head

GMC Acadia

Model years: 2007–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints: 5,551
Per model year: 292
Recall campaigns: 37
Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2019
Best years: 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Hyundai Santa Fe

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 6,630
Per model year: 316
Recall campaigns: 41
Years to avoid: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2011
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.6 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Acadia				Santa Fe
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	—	—	—	—	Good	216	3	18.5
2006	—	—	—	—	Good	106	1	18.5
2007	Caution	428	5	18.5	Avoid	683	7	19
2008	Avoid	854	5	18.5	Caution	541	4	19.5
2009	Avoid	331	7	19	Avoid	358	2	19.5
2010	Caution	343	4	19	Good	258	2	23
2011	Caution	269	5	19	Best	181	2	22
2012	Caution	296	5	19	Caution	353	1	22
2013	Best	135	3	18.5	Avoid	605	3	20.5
2014	Avoid	462	6	18.5	Caution	493	3	20
2015	Good	243	4	19	Caution	254	2	20
2016	Good	236	4	17.5	Caution	236	3	20
2017	Avoid	703	4	20.5	Avoid	966	6	20
2018	Caution	395	2	22	Caution	109	2	20
2019	Avoid	386	2	21.5	Caution	200	2	21
2020	Best	104	6	23	Caution	213	2	23.5
2021	Good	149	2	23	Caution	166	7	24.5
2022	Best	49	3	23	Caution	199	5	25
2023	Best	43	4	23	Avoid	210	1	25
2024	Best	60	0	22	Caution	150	7	23
2025	Good	65	0	22	Avoid	133	5	23

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which GMC Acadia years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2019 as Avoid years for the Acadia, based on complaint index and recall counts. The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and 854 complaints, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain issues.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Santa Fe. The 2017 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 966 complaints, mostly tied to the engine.
Does the Santa Fe have more recalls than the Acadia?: Yes. The Santa Fe has 41 total recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 37 for the Acadia across 19 model years.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Acadia or Santa Fe?: The Santa Fe averages 21.3 MPG combined across its model years compared to 20.3 MPG combined for the Acadia.
Are these complaint totals adjusted for how many were sold?: No. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so the total complaint counts for both models are not normalized per vehicle sold.