YearToAvoid

2012 GMC Acadia Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2012 GMC Acadia, 15% of all complaints filed for that model year, with a median failure mileage of 88,674 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
45
15% of 296
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
88,674 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of acceleration where the RPM rises but the vehicle does not speed up after releasing and reapplying the accelerator.
  • Several report the speedometer dropping to zero along with stability control, traction control, and all-wheel-drive warning lights illuminating, sometimes with the vehicle switching to rear-wheel drive.
  • Owners describe a rapid, unexpected drop in vehicle speed on the highway accompanied by illuminated idle mode or stability control warning lights.
  • Some report internal engine leaks, including one case where the engine block leaked fluid while parked and the dealer replaced engine tubing, pipes, and the catalytic converter.
  • Owners report oil leaking from the timing gear cover seal at the front of the 3.6L V6 engine, describing it as a widespread pattern across similar GM models.
  • One report describes traction control cutting out at highway speed followed by visible engine smoke, attributed by the dealer to a faulty fuel pump.

When 2012 GMC Acadia engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 4, 2012, latest May 21, 2026.

2012 GMC Acadia engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2012Jan 2016Jan 2018Mar 2019Mar 2020Aug 2021Jul 2024Jun 2025
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2012 to May 2026; peak Aug 2019 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2012 GMC Acadia

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Acadia model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201091 (27%)
  2. 201162 (23%)
  3. 201245 (15%)
  4. 201325 (19%)
  5. 201453 (11%)
  6. 201522 (9%)
  7. 201615 (6%)
  8. 201771 (10%)
  9. 201838 (10%)
  10. 201961 (16%)
  11. 202033 (32%)
  12. 202137 (25%)
  13. 202215 (31%)
  14. 202313 (30%)
  15. 202412 (20%)
  16. 20257 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2012 GMC Acadia, which is 15% of all 296 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 GMC Acadia engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint category.
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Acadia engine problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 88,674 miles.
What are the most common engine symptoms owners report?
Owners describe sudden loss of acceleration despite rising RPM, warning lights combined with speed drops, oil leaks from the timing gear cover, and in one case an engine block leak with fluid on the ground.
Did any 2012 Acadia engine complaints involve crashes?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 0 fires associated with this engine complaint category, with 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.