2016 GMC Acadia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 GMC Acadia has a complaint index of 44 and ranks 11th out of 19 model years, earning a Good verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, with 130 complaints (55% share) tied largely to recall-related inflator and side curtain issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 44/100
- #11 of 19 Acadia years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 236
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2016 GMC Acadia problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags130 (55%)
- Electrical System26 (11%)
- Steering26 (11%)
- Other21 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (9%)
- Engine15 (6%)
- Brakes9 (4%)
- Lane Departure9 (4%)
- Seat Belts5 (2%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report airbags deploying unexpectedly while backing up or during minor impacts, in some cases causing loss of vehicle control.
- Others describe airbags failing to deploy during a crash despite significant impact force.
- Owners report the vehicle rolling away on its own after being placed in park with the key removed, in some cases leading to a crash or fire.
- Some describe the transmission overheating and expelling fluid, which ignited a fire at the front of the vehicle.
- Owners note the gear-position indicator on the instrument cluster fails to clearly show which gear is selected.
- A few report the vehicle shutting down completely while stationary in traffic with the brake applied, then restarting without stored fault codes.
2016 GMC Acadia recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V334000May 10, 2023Airbags995,085 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
- NHTSA 21V246000Apr 8, 2021Airbags108 vehicles
Air bags:critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
- NHTSA 15V833000Dec 11, 2015Structure & Body2,633 vehicles
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Risk: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
2016 GMC Acadia fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 GMC Acadia reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Acadia has a complaint index of 44 and ranks 11th of 19 model years, which earns it a Good verdict relative to other Acadia years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 GMC Acadia?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 130 of 236 complaints (55%), including reports tied to two NHTSA recall campaigns for driver airbag inflators and side curtain airbag attachment.
- Does the 2016 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Acadia, covering airbags (two separate campaigns), a third-row seat frame issue, and a windshield wiper motor cover defect. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Acadia compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 44, the 2016 Acadia is worse than the top-ranked 2022 (index 0) and 2013 (index 6) but better than years like 2008, 2017, and 2014, which all carry Avoid verdicts.
- What mileage do airbag problems show up at in the 2016 Acadia?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 130,000 for airbag-related complaints on the 2016 Acadia.