What 280 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Acadia Limited

I had issue with the timing chain an have check engine light is on I have heard other people having problems with there timing chain. It starts hard. I've had it looked at multiple times. I feel like this is a safety concern. It has low miles on it

NHTSA ODI 11582730

The engine light came on. Had a mobile mechanic look at it, he ran a diagnostics, it showed a P0017 code. He advised to get another opinion on how to repair, as he said it may need a new engine. Took it to a local repair shop, was told the same thing. The Acadia runs fine, and only has 116K miles. The problem is that it will not pass the required emission test for annual registration and tag. The cost of a new engine was estimated at about $10K, which is more than the Acadia is worth. Was told that these vehicles have had a history of this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11542473

LOOKING INTO A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I FOUND I HAD A MISFIRE IN A FEW CYLINDERS. LOOKING INTO IT I FOUND OIL IN MY SPARK PLUG TUBES, MY COILS WERE PERFECTLY DRY AND THE TOP OF THE TUBES WERE DRY AS WELL. LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE I FOUND MULTIPLE TSB FORMS FOR THE ISSUE STATING THERE WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE HEAD. IT SAYS IT EFFECTS ALL VINS FOR ALL YEARS AS THEY USE THE SAME ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11508536

I was driving on the freeway then my car suddenly started slowing down. I tried changing lane so i can pull over on the side of the freeway but unfortunately i couldn't get to pull over before the car completely stopped on the freeway. I called AAA. They sent a tow truck which came to the freeway to tow my car. My husband came and took me to work. The car was towed to a GMC dealership. I went to the dealership after work. I was told my car has timing chain problem and if not fixed will damage the engine. I went online to read reviews of this car only to see it was a very common problem for this year and model of GMC which if i have ever read those reviews i would not have bought a GMC. This vehicle should be recalled for this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11488614

Looses power while driving. Cannot jump the battery it needs to be recharged every time. Power steering stops working while driving( low rpm and when stopped) dangerous for merging or lane changes. Engine shudders when trying to accelerate. TCM/ ECM replaced 2020. Problem still persists. Whining noise upon start of the vehicle. Auto start will not work. traction control light, check engine airbag and

NHTSA ODI 11485397

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the steering wheel would shake uncontrollably without warning while driving at various speeds. She also stated that the steering wheel would lock in the middle of turning the steering wheel in either direction without warning. After taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called that dealer and was informed that the vehicle would reset itself upon restart; however, the failure persisted. A few days later, the Push to Start button failed to operate after multiple attempts and the key was used to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer and she was informed that the purge valve was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle and referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11439190

I was driving on a busy freeway, my car lost power and became very slow at only 20mph. Almost got rear ended, luckily I was able to pull over. Then check engine light came on. My engine failed and had to tow it. Mechanic said faulty timing chains destroyed my engine. Bought a used engine and is costing me over $4,000. I was lucky not to get killed. GM knows there’s a timing chains issues with these engines. People have complained about this costly and dangerous problem. They should recall and pay for the repairs. There was no warning for me until it was too late.

NHTSA ODI 11437809

On July 27 at 400 pm I arrived home and my daughter went to take out the trash and I heard her scream daddy the car is on fire. I rushed outside and flames were 6 ft tall I called 911. After putting the fire out he stated th car was running doors locked so they couldn’t open the hood

NHTSA ODI 11426851

Accordingly, the said vehicle first manifested a dangerous defect issue on July 14, 2021, while traveling out of town. A significant and abrupt reduction of power completely disabled the vehicle while parking in a parking space .Despite several attempts, the vehicle still fail to start. Only to notice the engine light illuminating and flashing repeatedly. At the same time the dashboard indicated a faulty reading of fuel and oil. This is a very serious and frightened situation because I received absolutely no warning before the vehicle shut down. Without reason of doubt, I do believe it is unsafe, extremely dangerous and is potentially a hazardous situation that should be investigated. Fortunately, I was in a parking lot went the problem occurred. Whereas, if the vehicle engine stopped abruptly in the mist of traffic it could have resulted with a different outcome. On July 16th the vehicle was towed to a certified GMC dealership for further inspection. Hours later, I received the service contract and a follow up call from the dealership given that the diagnostic is the Engine Control Module (ECM) and needs to be replaced. Surprisingly, to my dismay I was advised that General Motors no longer make the part and the Service Center is not sure when and if the part will be available. As of today, July 26th, no one has taken the necessary steps to remediate my situation. I have already attempted to resolve this problem by contacting the Manufacturer directly. Yet, no information on when a resolution will be made. I have been a loyal customer for several years and currently seeking answers.

NHTSA ODI 11426538

Had to replace transmission. I waa sowing down to come to a stop and the car shuts off in the road while I am turning into a drive way. After getting a new gmc transmission,My speedometer is moving back and forth again. The vehicle shutters while in park. These are some of the same signs from last time.

NHTSA ODI 11419742

I HAVE HAD THIS 2011 ARCADIA FOR LESS THEN A MONTH. THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM ASSURED ME THAT THE ONLY ISSUE IT HAD WAS IT NEEDED A NEW A/C CONDENSER. ( PERMANENT CODES, P0008, P0332, P0017 ) (PENDING CODES P0161, P0332, P0017 ) ( STORED CODES, P0332, P0008 ) SEVERE URGENCY REPLACE TIMING CHAINS AND RELATED COMPONENTS, T CHAIN X1 T CHAIN X1 T CHAIN X2 TIMING TENSIONER X1 X1 X1 X1. I HAVENT EVEN BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT AND THE SOLD ME THE CAR ON FALSE PRETENSES. THEY WONT HELP ME WITH FIXING IT, THEY WONT EVEN FIX THE A/C CONDENSER. IM GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE AND I PUT THE ONLY MONEY I HAD INTO THIS CAR. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ODI 11377030

WAS DRIVING MY CAR. GOT OFF I-79 TO GET GAS. GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD TO GET A JUMP. IT STARTED. STARTED DRIVING (ABOUT 4 MILES) ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED MAKING A NOISE FROM THE MOTOR. IT NEVER GAVE ME A WARNING, NO NOISE OR ANYTHING BEFORE THIS. IT RAN PERFECTLY. I'M SO DISGUSTED. THEY'RE SAYING ALMOST $5000.00 WITH PARTS AND LABOR WITH A USED MOTOR. THE BEARING SPUN, THE ROLLER ROCKER BROKE OFF TIMING CHAIN, AND SOMETHING ELSE. HMM A USED MOTOR. YOU DO KNOW A USED MOTOR WILL FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY AGAIN!! I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHERE IT STILL SITS. I UPKEPT THE OIL BEFORE IT WAS DUE. IT HAS 138,706 MILES I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AT ALL . GM I HOPE YOU DO US RIGHT BECAUSE WE STOOD BY YOU AND TRUSTED YOU!

NHTSA ODI 11364739

IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES POWER, MAX SPEED 20MPH. WON'T START.

NHTSA ODI 11353930

AT 86,000 MILES, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DESPITE OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD TICKING SOUND. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE NEAREST AUTO SHOP. WE HAD TWO MECHANICS (HAD CAR TOWED FOR SECOND OPINION) SAY THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11351176

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY ENGINE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. UP UNTIL THAT POINT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. HOWEVER, HAD THIS HAPPENED 10 MINUTES EARLIER I WOULD HAVE BEEN ATOP A VERY HIGH BRIDGE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHICH IS THE POSTED SPEED FOR I-295. HAD THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING ON THIS BRIDGE I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE GONE OVER THE RAILING AND PLUNGED 300+ FEET DOWN INTO THE RIVER. OR POSSIBLY OTHER VEHICLE TRAFFIC COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ME CAUSING UNTOLD DAMAGE AND INJURY OR POSSIBLY SOMEONE'S DEATH. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A SAFER AREA WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPAIRED AT MY DEALER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. ENGINES SHOULD NOT SIMPLY TURN OFF AND STOP RUNNING BECAUSE OF SOME ELECTRONIC CONTROL PART. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION AND I'M SURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SITUATIONS. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING UNIQUE TO MY VEHICLE, BUT ALL NEWER AND LATE MODEL VEHICLES. IT IS DANGEROUS TO THINK THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS EMPLOYED SUCH A DANGEROUS ENGINEERING AND DEVICE THAT COULD CAUSE THE DEATH OF SOMEONE. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP REVIEWING THIS SITUATION FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.

NHTSA ODI 11338765

IT HAS HAPPEN TO ME WHEN MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I GO ABOVE 65 MILES PH. THE GMC STARTS TO HEAT UP AND SENDS A MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY SAYING TRANSMISSION IS HOT A LOT OF SMOKE COMES OUT AND THE SPEED DECREASES COMPLETELY I HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PARK IN THE STREET UNTIL IT COOLS OFF WHAT IS DANGEROUS IS THAT IT HAS HAPPEN WHEN I'M IN THE HIGH WAY PUTTING ME AT RISK TO CRASH I MADE SOME FIXES ONE TIME THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME ABOUT $500 DOLLARS TO FIX IT NOW IS DOING IT AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ABOUT A $1000 DOLLARS MORE I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE GMC SINCE I GOT IT AND I ONLY HAVE LIKE BETWEEN 9 TO 11 MONTHS WITH THE GMC HOPEFULLY I COULD GET HELP SO THEY COULD FIX IT BY THE COMPANY AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327044

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE COOLANT SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN MECHANICS BUT NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11319208

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS IT TRIED TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE FROM A RAMP. THE CONTACT AND HER PASSENGER QUICKLY EXITED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER. THE COMPLETE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY ONE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS GIVEN A CAT SCAN. THERE WERE NO OTHER INJURIES .THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER SINCE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED BACK IN 10/2019. THE CONTACT JUST RECEIVED HER VIN FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY SINCE THE FIRE DESTROYED ALL TRACES OF THE VIN ON THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL THE VEHICLE SINCE IT ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11306234

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PASS A SEMI WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT, AS IF I TURNED OFF THE KEY, NO POWER STEERING...NOTHING. I NOTICE THE "TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COME ON FOR A SECOND. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD JUST FLASH YET THE ENGINE WAS NOT TURNING OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GMC DEALER AND PRELIMINARY REPORTS (INCOMPLETE) WAS IT WAS COMPUTER/ELECTRICAL RELATED. I ALSO NOTICED THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN (ALTHOUGH THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE TWO YEARS AGO AND GMC DEALER FOUND "FRETTING AT THE LGCM TERMINALS." POSSIBILITY RELATED, MY WIFE TOLD ME ONLY THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN A FEW DAYS BEFORE BUT ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME. SHE SAID SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER ALL WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN FINE...JUST ANOTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS BEEN HAVING RADIO ISSUES FOR YEARS. 1/2 OF THE RADIO SCREEN RANDOMLY DISAPPEARS (LEFT). TAPPING IT SOMETIMES HELPS AND SOMETIMES IS FLICKERS WILDLY ON AND OFF. GMC DEALER TOLD US THE RADIO NEEDS REPLACING...LIKE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 11187350

WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE WENT TO BE RESTARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED, AND WAS NOTED AFTER INVESTIGATION BY THE GMC DEALER THAT THE ENGINE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH APPROX. 120,000 MILES. IT WAS FORTUNATE THIS OCCURRED ON A SIDE STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC VERSES ON A HIGHWAY. ALSO IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO DUE TO BEING STRETCHED.

NHTSA ODI 11174640

UNDER 100K MILES AND ENGINE JUST BLEW UP WITH OUT WARNING ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YRS PRIOR WHEN WE FIRST GOT IT WE HAD ISSUES WITH THE DVD CD PLAYER HAD TO REPLACE IT AND AFTER 1 YR IT WENT OUT AGAIN. HAD ISSUES WITH HEADLIGHT BULB BEING REPLACED THEN BLOWING OUT. THE BIG PROBLEM NOW IS THE ENGINE AND THE CAR NOT RUNNING

NHTSA ODI 11122883

I TOOK OUR 2011 GMC ACADIA, MILEAGE 80,637, TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/16/2017 BECAUSE THE DISPLAY SHOWED "SERVICE AIR BAG." THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT HE FOUND DTC B0022 AND B0015 STORED IN SDM, TESTED CIRCUITS, GOOD. HE FOUND EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE IN BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONS AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT ANCHOR PRETENSIONERS, CPA CONNECTORS WITH LEADS AND REPROGRAM THE SDM. REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $1,164.51. CHARGED $125 TO DIAGNOSE. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE PRETENSIONERS ARE CONNECTED TO AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE AIR BAG. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT WEAK. REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $447.85. THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS AND "SERVICE AIR BAG" APPEAR TO BE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES. I CONTACTED GMC ON 04/23/2018 TO REQUEST REPAIR ASSISTANCE AND TO INQUIRE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, CASE # 8-4111443314. I WAS ADVISED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ODI 11089727

TAKATA RECALL TRACTION CONTRO,L SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE SPEED REDUCED LIGHT TURNED ON IN MY 2011 GMC ACADIA. WOULDN'T GO NO FASTER THEN 15MPH ON A 55 MPH ROAD AND THE ENGINE GOT REALLY LOUD AND ROUGH. WAS GOING 40 WHEN THE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN IT KEEPS DOING THIS. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW. SPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE A BABY IN THE VEHICAL WITH ME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT TO DO THIS. SOME PEOPLE SAY IT'S A GLITCH IN THE MAIN VEHICLE COMPUTER, READ IT'S A GLITCH IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT VEHICALS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY!

NHTSA ODI 11056373

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

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