2018 GMC Acadia Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 163 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 GMC Acadia, 41% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 37,000 miles. There is a related driveshaft recall (17V516000), though most complaints describe a shift-to-park malfunction rather than the driveshaft.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 163
- 41% of 395
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 37,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the vehicle does not recognize it is in park, triggering a repeated "shift to park" dash warning and chime even after the shifter is fully in park.
- Some describe having to cycle the shifter between reverse, neutral, and park several times before the warning clears, in one case happening in most of their drives.
- One owner reported the vehicle would not shut off completely because the system kept insisting it was not in park.
- A separate report describes the vehicle being started remotely while in park, then independently shifting into reverse and rolling into a building.
- The recalled right front intermediate driveshaft is described by GM as at risk of fracturing and separating while driving.
When 2018 GMC Acadia transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 7, 2018, latest Aug 10, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 GMC Acadia
- 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Acadia model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2018 GMC Acadia have transmission problems?
- NHTSA lists 163 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Acadia, 41% of all complaints filed for that model year, with a median failure mileage of 37,000 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 GMC Acadia transmission or driveshaft?
- Yes. Recall 17V516000 covers 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles for a right front intermediate driveshaft that may fracture and separate while driving; GM replaces the driveshaft assembly free of charge.
- What is the most common transmission complaint on the 2018 Acadia?
- Most sample complaints describe a "shift to park" warning that appears on the dash even when the vehicle is already in park, sometimes requiring the shifter to be cycled multiple times to clear.
- How does the 2018 Acadia compare to other years for this problem area?
- The 2018 model year has the highest share of Transmission & Powertrain complaints among Acadia years listed, at 41%, compared to 33% for 2017 and 40% for 2019.