YearToAvoid

2021 GMC Acadia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2021 GMC Acadia has a complaint index of 39, ranking 12th of 19 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Electrical System complaints (26% of total, median mileage 4,800) are the top issue, alongside 2 recalls covering fuel lines and rearview cameras.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
39/100
#12 of 19 Acadia years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
149
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
21 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2021 GMC Acadia problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System38 (26%)
  2. Engine37 (25%)
  3. Fuel System28 (19%)
  4. Other21 (14%)
  5. Brakes19 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain17 (11%)
  7. Steering16 (11%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (9%)
  9. Airbags9 (6%)
  10. Lane Departure4 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Backup cameras fail to warn of cross-traffic or show a black screen shortly after purchase, sometimes leading to a collision.
  • Some owners report the accelerator pedal sticking to the floor during low-speed maneuvers like reversing.
  • Brake pedal feel becomes inconsistent, with drivers describing the pedal slipping or the vehicle unexpectedly moving forward instead of stopping.
  • Front and steering-wheel airbags have deployed during low-speed parking-lot impacts, in one case causing arm, shoulder, and neck injuries.
  • Vehicles have stalled or shut off while driving, accompanied by transmission and engine warning lights and repeated battery drain.
  • The vehicle unexpectedly decelerated on the highway as if brakes were applied, followed by erratic speed changes.
2021 GMC Acadia complaints: complaints filed per quarter162020 Q42021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
149 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q4 (16).

2021 GMC Acadia recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V422000Jun 3, 2021Fuel System572 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.

    Risk: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.

2021 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.

2021 compared with other Acadia years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid78386221.5
2020Best22104623
2021Good39149223
2022Best049323
2023Best1143423

All GMC Acadia years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 GMC Acadia reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Acadia has a complaint index of 39 and ranks 12th out of 19 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Acadia years.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 26% of complaints (38 of 149), with issues typically surfacing at a median of 4,800 miles.
Does the 2021 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Acadia: one for improperly attached fuel supply lines and one for rearview camera coaxial cable connectors on models with Surround Vision.
How does the 2021 Acadia compare to other Acadia years?
The 2021 model's complaint index of 39 is better than heavily flagged years like 2008 (100) and 2017 (94), but higher than top-ranked years like 2022 and 2023, which score 0 and 11.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 GMC Acadia?
The EPA rates the 2021 Acadia at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.