2017 GMC Acadia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 GMC Acadia ranks 2nd worst out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 94 and 703 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission and electrical problems dominate, with 4 recalls covering airbags, fuel system, driveshaft, and brakes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 19 Acadia years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 703
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
Top 2017 GMC Acadia problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly rolled away or shifted into drive unexpectedly while parked, in some cases with the engine off, leading to collisions.
- Owners describe smoke, sparks, or flames coming from the vents or engine compartment without warning.
- Some drivers report the horn required excessive force to activate, delaying warnings to other drivers before a collision.
- Front passenger side tires reportedly bent inward into the wheel well during turns, causing loss of control.
- Cruise control reportedly failed to deactivate using the brake pedal or the control itself, forcing evasive steering.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal or side-impact collisions despite visible vehicle damage.
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 ranks 2nd worst among 19 model years, with a complaint index of 94 and 703 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Acadia?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 33% of complaints (235 total), followed by Electrical System problems at 31% (216 complaints), including reports of vehicles rolling away or shifting unexpectedly.
- Does the 2017 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Acadia, covering airbag inflators, the high-pressure fuel pump, a right front driveshaft that may fracture, and front brake calipers.
- What year GMC Acadia should I avoid?
- Among Acadia years, 2008 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed closely by the 2017 model at 94; both carry Avoid verdicts, while 2013 and 2022 rank best with indexes of 6 and 0.
- At what mileage do 2017 Acadia problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 32,900 miles, with transmission issues showing up around a median of 36,000 miles and electrical issues around 30,123 miles.