Home · 2011 GMC Acadia Denali · Complaints

What 280 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Acadia Denali

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (280)Crash / fire / injury (23)Steering (64)Engine (52)Electrical system (47)Lights (38)Transmission & drivetrain (33)Airbags (24)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (16)Speed control (13)Brakes (10)Fuel system (10)

Newest first · 280 complaints · page 5 of 12

Nov 2, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVE A NOTICE STATING THAT TAKATA IS FILING CHAPTER 11 AND ON THE NOTICE IT TELLS ME TO CALL MY GM DEALER AND HAVE MY AIRBAGS REPLACED, AFTER CONTACTING MY SELLING DEALER ON 11/2/2017 I WAS TOLD THAT GM IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE TODAY AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THE MATTER IS SETTLED, I'AM GETTING TWO DIFFERENT STORIES, WHAT I S THE REAL STORY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11042678

Oct 1, 2017Brakes

THE STABILITRACK KEEPS TURNING OFF AND THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP. AFTER INVESTIGATION, MULTIPLE MAKES AND MODELS ARE HAVING MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY?

NHTSA ODI 11030725

Sep 26, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 GMC ACADIA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE. I PULLED OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. UPON DOING RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH GMC MODELS, ESPECIALLY THE ACADIA MODEL. THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $7500. GIVEN THAT THIS IS WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ACADIA MODEL, I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI 11030021

Sep 26, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT READING PROPERLY AND THE FUEL LEVEL WAS FLOATING FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (STYKEMAIN BUICK GMC, 25124 ELIOTT RD, DEFIANCE, OH 43512) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,999.

NHTSA ODI 11030051

Sep 15, 2017Steering

MY POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY STOP ON MY WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UP ON TILL LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL. I HAVE NO LEAKS SO IT'S NOT DUE TO FLUID LOSS.

NHTSA ODI 11023725

Sep 7, 2017SteeringFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (COURTESY BUICK GMC, 7 AUTOCENTER DRIVE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40299) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUXILIARY VAPOR LINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE CHAFING THE AUXILIARY HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,100.

NHTSA ODI 11022079

Aug 17, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL PENETRATED THE CYLINDER HEAD, SPARK PLUG TUBE, AND TIMING CHAIN, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11016035

Aug 15, 2017

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED, AS IT HAS DONE ON INNUMERABLE VEHICLES OF THIS AGE RANGE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11015318

Aug 11, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 11014624

Aug 10, 2017Steering

THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED. I AM IN GOOD SHAPE AND IT TAKES ME ALL MY POWER WITH TWO HANDS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS NO WARNING IT CATCHES YOU OFF GUARD AND MULTIPLE TIMES ALMOST HIT CARS IN SPOTS NEXT TO WHERE I PARK. WE ALSO HAVE HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING FIXED TWICE SINCE WE'VE BOUGHT IT AND STILL DOESN'T BLOW AS COLD AS IT SHOULD. THE CAR HAS 78,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11014096

Aug 10, 2017Steering

SQUEAKING/WHINING IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS, POWER STEERING GEAR LEAKING (RACK & PINION) AND MUST BE REPLACED. COST, $1432.00 PLUS TAX. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 17948 MILES. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR MANUF. RECALL. OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO AGE OR TIME. POWER STEERING COULD FAIL AS IT HAS IN OTHER VEHICLES. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. GMC SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES AS THIS IS A DESIGN OR ENGINEERING FLAW. THIS CONDITION IS NOTICED WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI 11014273

Aug 5, 2017Steering

AT SLOW SPEED TURNS POWER STEERING SEEMS TO LOSE POWER ASSIST

NHTSA ODI 11013038

Jun 21, 2017Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEED. HAD THE ENTIRE RACK REPLACED (PRIOR TO POWER STEERING LOSS), AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (AFTER POWER STEERING LOSS AND COVERED UNDER THE TSB) AND WITHIN TO WEEKS OF HAVING THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. AT VERY LOW SPEED, IN A PARKING LOT, MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AS I ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER MY VERY HEAVY SUV TO A SAFE AREA WITH NO POWER STEERING. "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" ERROR CAME UP ON MY IN-DASH SCREEN AND THEN IT WENT AWAY. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RE-STARTED WITH NO POWER STEERING STILL AND THEN RE-STARTED AGAIN AN THAT IS WHEN THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THE ENTIRE TIME, THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE ON AND DID NOT FAIL. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A FULL DAY OF HAVING MY CAR, THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR NOW AT AT COST OF $1200!!!! I'M NOT SURE HOW THE ALTERNATOR IS RELATED SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING?!?!?! I FEEL LIKE THIS DEFECT IS COSTING CUSTOMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE AND GM NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!

NHTSA ODI 11000348

Jun 6, 2017Engine

THE CAR HAS 77,000 MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND ALL COMPONENTS INVOLVED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY HAD RECALLS ON 2007-2009 VEHICLES BUIT HAD SINCE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT APPARENTLY NOT. I HAD MY MACHANIC FIX THIS THE COST WAS $1636.00 WHICH WAS WAY CHEAPER THAN THE DEALER. I THINK THAT GMC SHOULD RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS I HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM STILL.

NHTSA ODI 10993369

May 30, 2017AirbagsVisibility & wipers

MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON AT ALL TIME. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN DRIVING IF I TRY TO CLEAN MY WINDOW, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WILL NOT SPRAY OUT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND SOMETIMES IT WILL COME OUT BUT IT WON'T SPRAY ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT'S LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO SPRAY IT ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHILE I'M DRIVING AND TRY TO CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD TO SEE BETTER. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME NOTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 10992336

May 25, 2017

I AM HAVING CONCERNS INVOLVING CRACKS IN MY DASH. I AM AFRAID THAT IN A ACCIDENT THAT THAT SHARDS OF THE PLASTIC DASH WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE KNIVES STICKING UP THAT COULD RIP THROUGH A BODY IN THE CASE OF ME OR A PASSENGER BEING THROWN TOWARD THE DASH AREA. OR THAT IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE DASH TO PIERCE THE AIRBAG, CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG OR DEPLOYING A SHARD OF PLASTIC TOWARD THE DRIVER OR ANY PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI 10991686

May 25, 2017Airbags

THE DASH BOARD ON MY DENALI HAS CRACKED AND GOES DOWN INTO THE AIRBAG. I AM AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THE DASH WOULD FURTHER SHATTER AND CAUSE PARTS OF THE PLASTIC TO COME LOOSE FROM THE DASH CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF OR ONE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASH CRACKING. I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH BOARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM. I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT AS OF LATE THERE ISN'T ONE. WITH THE COST INVOLVED WITH THESE VEHICLES THERE SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I CONTACTED GM BUT I WAS TOLD THEY SAW NO PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX THE DASH BUT WOULD BE GLAD TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT THAT THE COST WOULD BE MINE. PLEASE CONSIDER LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 10991678

May 2, 2017Airbags

WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2011 GMC DENALI. NEAR THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE MIDDLE SPLIT TO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. THIS WEEK, THERE IS A NEW SPLIT OVER THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING ITS WAY UP TO MOST LIKELY MEET THE EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD AT ITS STEERING WHEEL CURVE. IN DUE TIME, THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS GOING TO CAVE IN AND CAUSE A DRIVING DANGER. THE VIBRATION OF THE TRUCK IN MOTION SEEMS TO INITIAL THE SPREAD OF THE CRACKS. THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT, ALONG WITH THE INADEQUATE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS A GROWING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE INCREASING EVERY DAY. PIECES OF DASHBOARD FALLING INTO YOUR DRIVING CONSOLE AS YOU DRIVE AND SHARP EDGES NEAR THE AIR BAG ARE OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10983003

May 2, 2017Electrical systemAirbags

VEHICLES AIRBAG WAS ACTIVATED, BROUGHT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE INVOLVING PASSENGER SIDE. WAS TOLD THERE WAS. O WARRANTY OR RECALLS TO COVER PROBLEM AND WOULD REQUIRE COMPLETE REWIRE OF HARNESS AS THEY WERE UNSURE WHICH WIRE WAS CAUSING THE ISSUE ($2,000). THROUGH RESEARCH FOUND THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2008-2011 ACADIA'S BUT OUR VIN WASN'T DESIGNATED AS BEING INVOLVED IN RECALL. HOW GM CAN CLAIM THAT A VEHICLE WXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IS RIDICULOUS. THIS APPEARS TO ONCE AGAIN BE GM DISREGARDING SAFETY CAUSED BY THEIR FAILURES IN PRODUCTION SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY.

NHTSA ODI 10983128

Apr 20, 2017Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 10979440

Apr 6, 2017

THE DASHBOARD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE CRACK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DASHBOARD MAKES VARIOUS VIBRATION, CHATTERING, AND RATTLING NOISES.

NHTSA ODI 10970954

Mar 25, 2017Engine

THE 2011 GMC ACADIA VEHICLE AT 38K MILES SUFFERED A MAJOR LEAK IN THE COOLING SYSTEM.PER NHTSA ID NUMBER 10052213 & PB-13079, THE FIX DID NOT STOP THE COOLANT LEAKAGE AROUND THE WATER PUMP SEAL. WITH THE VEHICLE AT 38K MILES THE DEALER TESTED AND CHARGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURERS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY PART WAS UNSATISFACTORY DO TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART NOT UNDER WARRENTY.

NHTSA ODI 10968454

Mar 12, 2017Suspension

2011 GMC ACADIA, #14329B SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. COVERAGE GOOD FOR PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. ACADIA STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEM IN JAN 2017. 2/1/2017 SERVICE ACADIA AT THE DEALER'S FROM 2/1/2017 UNTIL 2/8/2017 TO REPLACE STEERING PUMP. DROVE THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, NOTICED IT WAS SCARY, BOUNCING RIGHT AWAY. TOOK IT BACK RIGHT AWAY. THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN LEFT ON THE LIFT THE STRUTS ON THE SHOCKS HAD EXPANDED. MECHANIC DROVE THE ACADIA AND SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DROVE HOME AND OTHER PEOPLE SAID IT WAS NOT NORMAL. TOOK THE ACADIA BACK ON 2/21/2017. ON 2/22/2017 THE ADVISOR CALLED AND SAID THE CAR NEEDED NEW STRUTS FOR $648.53. THE CAR HAD ONLY 31, 180 MILES. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. AS A 77 YEAR OLD RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER, I DRIVE CAREFULLY, PRUDENTLY. HAVE THE OLD STRUTS. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE PERFORMED THIS 'SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT TO ENSURE COMPLETE SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION FROM THE BEGINNING'. DUE TO DEALER INCOMPETENCE BAMBOOZLED INTO PAYING FOR STRUT REPAIRS. THESE STRUTS WERE OPERATING JUST FINE BEFORE THE PUMP REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE CAR IS BETTER. STILL DOES RIDE AS WELL AS BEFORE. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE. HAVE 2 INVOICES, PLUS SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN, PLUS OLD STRUTS.

NHTSA ODI 10960202

Mar 2, 2017LightsFire

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE OVERHEATED ON BOTH SIDES AND HAVE MELTED THE PLASTIC HOUSING. THE LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY HOT IN A CONFINED SPACE AND ARE IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HEADLIGHT AND SAW THAT IT HAS MELTED THE HOUSING TO THE POINT WHERE THE BULB IS NOW SITTING DIRECTLY ON THE MELTED PLASTIC HOUSING. THESE ARE THE RUNNING LIGHTS....NOT THE MAIN HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI 10957975

Feb 16, 2017SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

MY POWER STEERING HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY LOUD AND DIFFICULT TO HANDLE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS SIMILAR PROBLEMS OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE HAD. I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ACADIA. RECENTLY, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY "STABILITRACK" IS OFF AND MY VEHICLE TELLS ME TO "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" AND IS NOT BECOMING DIFFICULT TO STOP AND SHAKES QUITE A BIT WHEN DOING SO. I TRAVEL FROM HOME TO TOWN AND OFTEN HAVE TO TRAVEL ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MULTIPLE CARS TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF IN CLOSE VICINITY. THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM IS ROUGHLY $1300 TO FIX AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS ROUGHLY $800 TO FIX. WHY ARE THERE NOT RECALLS ON THESE PROBLEMS IF IT IS SO COMMON? GMC NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING POORLY MADE VEHICLES THAT COST A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY ONLY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON TO FIX AND MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 72,000 MILES...THESE PROBLEMS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS, LIVES LOST, AND GMC SUED.

NHTSA ODI 10955050

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 GMC Acadia Denali verdict →