YearToAvoid

2021 GMC Acadia Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#10 most-complained of 16 Acadia years

The 2021 GMC Acadia has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Acadia years. NHTSA lists 149 complaints, 2 recalls, and 7 crashes tied to this model year.

Complaints
149
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
7 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
21 city / 27 hwy

Top 2021 GMC Acadia problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the accelerator pedal sticking to the floor during low-speed maneuvers, in one case causing a crash into a garage wall.
  • The rearview and backup camera has been reported to fail intermittently or not warn of approaching vehicles, contributing to collisions.
  • Some drivers describe the brake pedal feeling unresponsive or the vehicle lurching forward unexpectedly when braking.
  • Front and steering wheel airbags have been reported to deploy during low-speed impacts, in one case causing arm, shoulder, and neck injuries.
  • Owners describe the vehicle stalling multiple times while driving, with the transmission and engine warning lights coming on and the battery draining repeatedly.
  • One owner reported the vehicle abruptly slowing as if brakes were applied at highway speed, followed by erratic speed changes.
2021 GMC Acadia complaints: complaints filed per quarter272020 Q42021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
213 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q4 (27).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid80386221.5
2020Best7104623
2021Good40149223
2022Best049323
2023Best1343423

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 40 and ranks 10th worst of 16 model years, giving it a "Good" verdict relative to other Acadia years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 38 complaints (26% of the total), followed by Engine issues at 37 complaints (25%) and Fuel System issues at 28 complaints (19%).
Does the 2021 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Acadia: one for coaxial cable connectors in the Surround Vision rearview camera system, and one for improperly attached fuel supply lines. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 Acadia compare to other Acadia model years?
The 2021 Acadia's Complaint Index of 40 is lower than 2017 (100), 2014 (93), 2018 (87), and 2019 (80), which are all rated "Avoid," making 2021 a comparatively better year.
At what mileage do 2021 Acadia problems typically show up?
Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure for the 2021 Acadia is 27,792 miles, though Electrical System complaints had a lower median of 4,800 miles.

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.