2020 GMC Acadia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2020 GMC Acadia ranks as one of the Best model years, with a complaint index of 22, 104 complaints, and 6 recalls. It ranks 15th worst out of 19 model years, with Engine issues the top reported problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 22/100
- #15 of 19 Acadia years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 104
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2020 GMC Acadia problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine33 (32%)
- Electrical System28 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (21%)
- Steering18 (17%)
- Other15 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (11%)
- Fuel System11 (11%)
- Brakes8 (8%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report the vehicle accelerating on its own at low speed, resulting in a crash into a fixed object.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a rear-end collision, leaving occupants without protection during impact.
- Owners describe a cluster of electrical faults appearing together, including brake assist warnings, backup camera dropouts, and stability control cycling on and off.
- Some owners say the parking brake engages on its own while the vehicle is moving or parked on an incline, without driver input.
- Drivers report the engine losing power and stalling unexpectedly despite the fuel gauge showing remaining range.
- Owners describe the transmission unexpectedly shifting out of drive while underway, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate for several seconds.
2020 GMC Acadia recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V709000Sep 22, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras95,231 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
- 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 20V684000Nov 5, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires7,516 vehicles
Tires
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 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 N202319030.
2020 GMC Acadia fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2020 compared with other Acadia years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 GMC Acadia reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Acadia carries a complaint index of 22 and earns a Best verdict compared to other Acadia model years. It ranks 15th worst out of 19 model years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Acadia?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues as the top problem area, accounting for 32% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 27% and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 21%.
- Does the 2020 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Acadia, covering areas including collision avoidance cameras, suspension/tires, transmission, fuel system, and airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Acadia compare to other Acadia years?
- With a complaint index of 22, the 2020 Acadia performs better than years like 2017 (index 94, Avoid) and 2008 (index 100, Avoid), placing it among the better Acadia model years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 GMC Acadia?
- EPA rates the 2020 Acadia at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.