2019 GMC Acadia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 GMC Acadia has a complaint index of 78, the 5th-worst of 19 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles, backed by 2 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #5 of 19 Acadia years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 386
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2019 GMC Acadia problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain154 (40%)
- Other120 (31%)
- Electrical System114 (30%)
- Engine61 (16%)
- Steering33 (9%)
- Brakes19 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (2%)
- Lane Departure6 (2%)
- Fuel System5 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly rolling away while in park with the engine running, sometimes causing a crash.
- Some describe a shift-to-park error message appearing even though the vehicle is already in park, preventing the engine from shutting off or doors from locking.
- Several owners say door locks fail intermittently during rain, trapping occupants inside.
- Owners describe headlights that appear too dim or blacked out to safely see at night.
- One owner reported an engine fire that started while the vehicle was parked, traced to an electrical system failure.
- A driver reported the brakes failing to slow the vehicle enough to avoid a rear-end collision.
2019 GMC Acadia recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V115000Feb 25, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires33,838 vehicles
Tires
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
2019 GMC Acadia fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 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.
2019 compared with other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 GMC Acadia reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Acadia ranks 5th-worst among 19 model years with a complaint index of 78, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Acadia years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 GMC Acadia?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 40% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 30% and Engine issues at 16%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2019 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 Acadia, covering the transmission's start-stop accumulator and tire inspection/replacement on certain vehicles.
- At what mileage do 2019 Acadia transmission problems occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 49,800 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2019 Acadia.
- Which GMC Acadia model years are better than 2019?
- Model years 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 all carry lower complaint indexes and better verdicts than the 2019 model year.