YearToAvoid

2021 GMC Acadia Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 19 brake complaints for the 2021 GMC Acadia, 13% of that year's 149 total complaints — a higher share than most other Acadia model years. No related recalls are currently listed in this data. Median mileage at failure among reported cases was 26,000 miles.

Brakes complaints
19
13% of 149
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
26,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Electronic parking brake engages on its own while parked on flat ground or while driving, sometimes causing the vehicle to jerk forward.
  • Brakes grind or squeak, often after the vehicle sits overnight, and some owners say dealerships could reproduce the noise but only offered pad replacement.
  • Automatic braking system activates suddenly with no obstacle present, causing unexpected hard stops.
  • Brake fluid leaks from front caliper hoses rubbing against the CV boot, leading to a soft or sinking brake pedal.
  • Sudden loss of braking power described as brakes locking up or failing to stop the vehicle, in one case linked to a vacuum pump failure.
  • A brake hose became entangled with the front drive shaft and tore, causing a sudden complete loss of brakes.

When 2021 GMC Acadia brake complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 29, 2021, latest Aug 25, 2026.

2021 GMC Acadia brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2021May 2022Oct 2022Apr 2023Jun 2025Jun 2026
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2023 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Acadia model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200732 (7%)
  2. 200883 (10%)
  3. 200916 (5%)
  4. 201012 (3%)
  5. 201125 (9%)
  6. 201219 (6%)
  7. 201310 (7%)
  8. 201428 (6%)
  9. 201516 (7%)
  10. 20169 (4%)
  11. 201749 (7%)
  12. 201833 (8%)
  13. 201919 (5%)
  14. 20208 (8%)
  15. 202119 (13%)
  16. 20224 (8%)
  17. 20233 (7%)
  18. 202425 (42%)
  19. 202539 (60%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2021 GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA lists 19 brake-related complaints for the 2021 GMC Acadia, making up 13% of the 149 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2021 GMC Acadia?
This data shows no related recalls listed for the 2021 GMC Acadia's brake complaints, though one owner complaint references an NHTSA recall for a vacuum pump issue.
At what mileage do 2021 Acadia brake problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints was 26,000 miles.
What is the most common brake complaint on the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Owners most often report the electronic parking brake engaging on its own and brakes grinding or squeaking, along with some cases of sudden braking power loss.
Did the 2021 Acadia's brake complaints lead to any crashes?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 injuries or fires among the 19 brake complaints for the 2021 GMC Acadia.

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.