YearToAvoid

2013 GMC Acadia Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Owners filed 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 GMC Acadia, 20% of all 135 complaints that year. Reported failures center on torque converter shudder, rough shifting, and unexpected loss of drive, with a median failure mileage of 99,250. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
27
20% of 135
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
99,250 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe torque converter failures causing shuddering or vibration when accelerating from a stop, sometimes with the engine shutting off while stopped.
  • Some drivers report the transmission delays shifting until high RPM, producing a whining noise before the vehicle finally moves.
  • Several complaints describe sudden loss of power or the transmission refusing to shift out of high gear while driving on the highway.
  • Owners report transmission fluid leaks after dealer repairs that recurred despite multiple visits.
  • One complaint describes the all-wheel-drive system disengaging while climbing a snowy hill, leaving the vehicle unable to move except in reverse.
  • A separate complaint describes the vehicle rolling forward unexpectedly after being parked, resulting in a crash and injury.

When 2013 GMC Acadia transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 4, 2016, latest Feb 11, 2026.

2013 GMC Acadia transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2016Jun 2017May 2018Feb 2019Dec 2020May 2021Apr 2023Apr 2025
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2016 to Feb 2026; peak Oct 2018 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 GMC Acadia

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Acadia model year

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

  1. 2007184 (43%)
  2. 2008279 (33%)
  3. 200972 (22%)
  4. 201043 (13%)
  5. 201133 (12%)
  6. 201243 (15%)
  7. 201327 (20%)
  8. 201434 (7%)
  9. 201518 (7%)
  10. 201621 (9%)
  11. 2017235 (33%)
  12. 2018163 (41%)
  13. 2019154 (40%)
  14. 202022 (21%)
  15. 202117 (11%)
  16. 20224 (8%)
  17. 202312 (28%)
  18. 20247 (12%)
  19. 20254 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Are transmission problems common on the 2013 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists 27 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Acadia, which is 20% of all 135 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2013 GMC Acadia transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 99,250 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2013 GMC Acadia transmission?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2013 Acadia's Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
What specific transmission symptoms do 2013 Acadia owners report?
Owners describe torque converter shudder, delayed or rough shifting, fluid leaks, and sudden loss of drive power while underway.
How does the 2013 Acadia compare to other years for this issue?
The 2013 model's 20% share of complaints tied to this area is higher than 2010-2012 and 2014-2016, but well below the 2017-2019 model years, which each exceeded 30%.

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.