GMC Acadia Best and Worst Years (2007–2025)
The GMC Acadia years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2019, each carrying a complaint index of 78 or higher against transmission, electrical, airbag, and steering problems. The best years are 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, all with complaint indexes of 22 or lower.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2014Avoid 2017Avoid 2019Best 2013Best 2020Best 2022Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 19
- 2007–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,551
- Recall campaigns
- 37
- Crashes reported
- 140
- Fires reported
- 76
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Acadia Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
GMC Acadia problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Caution | 61 | 428 | 13 | 7 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 854 | 22 | 13 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 89 | 331 | 8 | 14 | 7 | Steering | 19 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 67 | 343 | 5 | 8 | 4 | Steering | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 50 | 269 | 8 | 10 | 5 | Electrical System | 19 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 56 | 296 | 8 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | 19 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Best | 6 | 135 | 5 | 8 | 3 | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 83 | 462 | 15 | 2 | 6 | Airbags | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 28 | 243 | 5 | 3 | 4 | Airbags | 19 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 44 | 236 | 8 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 94 | 703 | 10 | 2 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 72 | 395 | 8 | 1 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 78 | 386 | 5 | 2 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 22 | 104 | 4 | 0 | 6 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 39 | 149 | 7 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 11 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 17 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 22 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 33 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 22 | 5★ |
Acadia years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 GMC Acadia Index 100 · 854 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 Acadia has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year, with 854 complaints. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 33% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 77,400. Electrical system problems (22%) failed near 87,000 miles, and engine complaints (20%) around 85,500 miles. Owners reported power steering hoses coming apart, engine compartment fires, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, covering electrical and structural components.
2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 electrical system problems →2008 engine problems →
2017 GMC Acadia Index 94 · 703 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Acadia has a complaint index of 94. Transmission and powertrain complaints account for 33% of reports (median failure at 36,000 miles), and electrical system issues for 31% (30,123 miles). Owners reported horns requiring excessive force to operate, smoke and sparks from vents, and cruise control that failed to disengage. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns, including a fuel pump recall and one for a right front intermediate driveshaft that may fracture and separate while driving.
2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 airbags problems →
2009 GMC Acadia Index 89 · 331 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2009 Acadia has a complaint index of 89, driven mainly by steering complaints (34% of total, median failure at 70,312 miles). Engine problems followed at 25% (89,500 miles) and electrical issues at 23% (76,000 miles). Owners reported wiring harnesses melting or burning, along with vehicle fires reported at low mileage. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including seat belt pretensioner and airbag wiring issues shared with related GM models.
2009 steering problems →2009 engine problems →2009 electrical system problems →
2014 GMC Acadia Index 83 · 462 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2014 Acadia carries a complaint index of 83, with airbags dominating at 53% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 82,500. Electrical system issues followed at 22% (73,500 miles). Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and unexpected shifts out of gear. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, including a 2023 recall for driver airbag inflators that may explode during deployment and a 2021 recall for side curtain airbags that may not be properly attached.
2014 airbags problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →
2019 GMC Acadia Index 78 · 386 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2019 Acadia has a complaint index of 78. Transmission and powertrain complaints lead at 40% (median failure at 49,800 miles), followed by electrical issues at 30% (21,000 miles). Owners reported brakes failing to slow the vehicle during hard stops and vehicles rolling away unexpectedly while in park. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns, covering tire inspection and a transmission accumulator bolt issue.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
Most common GMC Acadia problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,372 (25%)
- Electrical System1,287 (23%)
- Engine919 (17%)
- Airbags907 (16%)
- Steering806 (15%)
- Other756 (14%)
- Brakes449 (8%)
- Structure & Body330 (6%)
- Fuel System198 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires156 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the GMC Acadia should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2019. These years have complaint indexes ranging from 78 to 100, the highest in the model's history.
- What is the best year for the GMC Acadia?
- The 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Acadia are rated Best, with complaint indexes between 0 and 22, the lowest among all model years covered.
- Does the GMC Acadia have transmission problems?
- Transmission and powertrain complaints make up 25% of all Acadia complaints across model years, and it is the top problem area for 2008, 2017, and 2019.
- Does the 2017 GMC Acadia have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Acadia, including a driveshaft fracture recall, a high-pressure fuel pump recall, and a driver airbag inflator recall.
- Is the 2014 GMC Acadia reliable?
- The 2014 Acadia is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 83 and airbags accounting for 53% of its complaints, including recalls for airbag inflators and side curtain airbags.