2017 GMC Acadia Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 16 Acadia years
The 2017 GMC Acadia has the highest Complaint Index (100) of all 16 model years and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict. It logged 703 complaints, 4 recalls, 10 crashes, and 2 fires, led by Transmission & Powertrain (33%) and Electrical System (31%) issues.
- Complaints
- 703
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 25 hwy
Top 2017 GMC Acadia problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain235 (33%)
- Electrical System216 (31%)
- Other169 (24%)
- Airbags76 (11%)
- Engine71 (10%)
- Brakes49 (7%)
- Steering34 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (2%)
- Lane Departure17 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report the horn requiring excessive force to activate, delaying warning signals before a side-impact collision.
- Some describe smoke and sparks coming from the vents followed by flames under the hood on the driver's side.
- Several report the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly while in park with the engine running, striking people or other vehicles.
- Cruise control reportedly failed to disengage even after pressing the brake pedal, forcing one driver to steer into a barrier.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during head-on or side-impact collisions despite visible vehicle damage.
- One owner reported a front passenger tire bending inward into the wheel well during a turn, leading to a curb collision.
2017 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 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
- NHTSA 17V516000Aug 22, 2017Transmission & Powertrain2,905 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
2017 GMC Acadia fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 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.
2017 compared with other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 GMC Acadia reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Acadia has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest among all 16 model years tracked, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Acadia years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Acadia?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 33% of reports (235 complaints, median mileage at failure 36,000) and Electrical System issues make up 31% (216 complaints, median mileage 30,123).
- Does the 2017 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Acadia covering airbags, the fuel system's high pressure fuel pump, a right front intermediate driveshaft that may fracture, and front brake calipers.
- How does the 2017 Acadia compare to other model years?
- The 2017 Acadia's Complaint Index of 100 is higher than every other year listed, including 2014 (93) and 2018 (87), while 2022 (0) and 2020 (7) have the lowest indexes.
- What is the median mileage for failures reported on the 2017 Acadia?
- NHTSA complaint data shows an overall median mileage at failure of 32,900, with Transmission & Powertrain failures at 36,000 and Electrical System failures at 30,123.