Home · 2012 GMC Acadia Denali · Complaints

What 300 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 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 (300)Crash / fire / injury (24)Steering (46)Body & structure (43)Transmission & drivetrain (43)Electrical system (41)Engine (36)Airbags (34)Fuel system (25)Lights (21)Visibility & wipers (12)Speed control (10)

Newest first · 300 complaints · page 11 of 12

Oct 2, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,650.

NHTSA ODI 10779369

Sep 22, 2015SteeringCrash

ACADIA WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH WHEN HEARD/FELT A POP/BUMP. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SPINNING TO LEFT THEN RIGHT. STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHTENED OUT. WHILE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL FACING STRAIGHT, THE CAR STARTED VEERING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE ACADIA HIT A CULVER THEN FLIPPED 4 TIMES, COMING TO A STOP OVER 160 FEET FROM WHERE IT LEFT THE ROAD

NHTSA ODI 10767269

Sep 9, 2015Body & structure

AFTER MY LIFTGATE OPENED, IT SHUDDERED AND CAME CRASHING 3/4'S OF THE WAY DOWN. HAD I BEEN IN THE WAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT AND UNDOUBTEDLY INJURED. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR WHICH IT IS INTENDED - I CANNOT ACCESS THE CARGO AREA FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING HEAVY AND LARGE ITEMS.! I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE EXPLICITLY FOR IT'S LARGE CARGO AREA AND EASY ACCESSIBILITY. I NOW HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME LOADING AND UNLOADING HEAVY AND BULKY ITEMS FROM THE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10762586

Aug 12, 20151 injury

I PRESSED THE POWER LIFT GATE BUTTON IT OPENED & I WAS PLACING A BAG IN BACK OF CAR WHEN THE LIFT GATE WENT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING & HIT ME IN THE HEAD. CAUSING A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION 2 HEAD LACERATIONS THAT REQUIRED 7 STAPLES

NHTSA ODI 10748097

Jun 11, 2015Fuel system

MY FUEL GAUGE IS READING EMPTY AND THE MILES LEFT IS NOT WORKING. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE GAS IN THE TANK.

NHTSA ODI 10724833

Jun 11, 20151 injury

AUTOMATIC TAILGATE WAS ACTIVATED AND IT PRECEEDED TO THE TOP AND STOPPED. I LEANED INTO THE BACK TO GET SOMETHING OUT AND THE TAILGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN WITH NO WARNING, HITTING MY BACK AND DID NOT REBOUND. IF MY CHILD HAD BEEN STANDING THERE NEXT TO ME HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE FORCE FROM THE SUPPORTS GIVING OUT DROPPED THE DOOR WITH FULL FORCE. I AM JUST THANKFUL IT DIDN'T HIT MY NECK OR HEAD. THERE SHOULD BE A SECONDARY CATCH FOR THE DOOR TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. SOMEONE COULD EASILY BE KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 10724850

May 26, 2015Visibility & wipers

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INCONSISTENTLY. VISIBILITY CAN BE LOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10721427

Apr 15, 2015Seats

ON APRIL 2ND WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, WAS STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT JUST JERKED LIKE IT WAS COMING UNBOLTED. IT NOW MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE SEAT HAS GIVE TO IT, LIKE ITS NOT BOLTED DOWN REAL TIGHT. I FEAR IT IS VERY UNSAFE. WE DO NOT EVEN DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY. THE MAIN REASON I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT YET IS BECAUSE GM HAS A HISTORY, OF SAYING IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS ISSUE. AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT AT THE REPAIR SHOP 4 TIMES ALREADY FOR AN AIR BAG ISSUE. THEN HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR A RUSTED FUSE IN ONE OF THE HEADLAMPS, ANOTHER ISSUE THEY TOLD ME WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM AND I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THE ORIGINAL LIGHT BULB WAS STILL INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. OF COURSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS ISSUE. GM ALSO HAS MANY REASONS FOR NOT MAKING RECALLS ON THEIR VEHICLES. SO AT THIS POINT I FEEL I DON'T HAVE MANY PLACES TO TURN. I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THAT WE PAY GOOD MONEY FOR AND GM DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THE ISSUES WITH THE PRODUCT. SO I AM LEFT WITH TRYING TO RESEARCH AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10705829

Apr 5, 2015Wheels

I DISCOVERED A FLAT TIRE AND CALLED AAA TO PUT ON MY SPARE. THEY SAID THE SPARE "DONUT" HAD DANGEROUS RUST ON THE BOLT HOLES AND REFUSED TO MOUNT THE RIM ON MY VEHICLE.THEY CITED A CASE IN A PRIOR WEEK WHERE THEY MOUNTED A RIM LIKE THIS AND IT FELL OFF THE CAR.THESE RUSTY RIMS ARE MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND REPRESENT AN UNSAFE SITUATION. I CALLED GM AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED GM AND THEY AGREED ,AS A ONE TIME COURTESY,TO REPLACE THE RIM.THE NEXT DAY,THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE IT BUT WOULD GIVE ME$100 GIFT CARD. I SAID,I NEED A SPARE,NOT A GIFT CARD. I SENT ANOTHER E-MAIL EXPLAINING HOW DISAPPOINTED I WAS WITH THEM BACKING DOWN ON THEIR WORD AND THEY OFFERED ME ROAD HAZARD COVERAGE, AGAIN I REFUSED AND STATED I NEED A SAFE SPARE TIRE I THINK THESE SPARE WHEELS SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST INSPECTED--THEY ARE UNSAFE..AND NO ONE'S GOING TO NOTICE IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. I'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE EXPENSE OF BUYING A NEW SPARE--THE ONE THAT CAME WITH MY CARE IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10703794

Mar 25, 2015Transmission & drivetrainCrash

ON 03/07/15 AT APPROXIMATELY 1715 AT TYLER STATE PARK OUR VEHICLE WAS BACKED INTO THE PARKING SPACE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AT CABIN ONE. OUR 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN OUR 2012 GMC ACADIA IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND OUR FRIEND'S 9 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT; WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE IGNITION TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS IN MY HUSBAND POCKET. OUR 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD DOWN THE INCLINE, ACROSS THE STREET AND HITTING TWO TREES. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND RIGHT QUARTER PANEL CAUSING THE PASSENGER DOOR TO CATCH ON THE METAL FRAME WHEN OPENING THE DOOR AND THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN DRIVEN BETWEEN 65MPH-70 MPH. BOTH CHILDREN WERE OK WITH JUST BUMPS ON THEIR HEADS. I CALLED THE GM DEALER IN TYLER, TX AND WAS ADVISED BY [XXX] TO CONTACT A GM DEALER WHEN I RETURNED HOME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WE WERE ON VACATION. ON MONDAY MARCH 16, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 0715 I CALLED TEXAN GMC AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] AND ADVISED HIM OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE ON VACATION. [XXX] ADVISED ME I COULD BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE RECALLS FIXED BUT I WOULD NEED TO CALL GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 800-222-1020 AND GET AND INCIDENT REPORT STARTED WITH THEM AND SEE WHEN THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I CALLED GMC SPOKE WITH [XXX] AND SHE GAVE ME A CLAIM #[XXX] I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DONE ON MONDAY 03/16015 AND WAS CALLED ON MONDAY 03//23/2015 ADVISING ME THAT THERE WERE NO FINDING OF A MALFUNCTION WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT GM WILL NOT BE FIXING ANY DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE THAT WAS A RESULT TO THIS INCIDENT. NO MATTER THEIR FINDINGS THERE IS A MALFUNCTION SOMEWHERE AND I FEEL THAT GM DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT TO THERE BEING A MALFUNCTION. I JUST WANT THE ISSUE FIXED SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10701556

Mar 9, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE STOPPED AT 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI 10693118

Feb 12, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 10682900

Jan 22, 2015Body & structure1 injury

I OPENED THE REAR TAILGATE AND WHILE TAKING AN OBJECT OUT OF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD WITH GREAT FORCE. AFTER PHYSICALLY RECOVERING, I TESTED THE TAILGATE AND THE ISSUE REPEATED ITSELF. I CALLED KITAHARA GMC IN FRESNO, CA AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. KITAHARA REPLACED THE PARTS, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A WEAR PART AND THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS THERE IS NO WAY FOR THEM TO GUARANTEE THAT THE ISSUE WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND THEY OFFERED $100 TOWARD AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND CLAIMED THAT THEY DO NOT ISSUE RECALLS. I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO THE NHTSA, BECAUSE I FEAR THAT THIS DEFAULT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION AT THE TIME OF MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678349

Jan 5, 2015Traction Control System

2012 GMC ACADIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STABILIZER TRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO A WARNING TO SERVICE THE STABILIZER TRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10662824

Dec 30, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET THE DRIVE SHAFT OF MY 2012 GMC ACADIA FELL OFF. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE MY VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE. UPON INSPECTION WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WE NOTED THAT THE AWD DRIVE SHAFT FELL FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THAT ALL SIX BOLTS HAD FALLEN OFF THIS DRIVE SHAFT. INITIALLY THE GMC DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS UNDER A 5 YEAR 100,000 WARRANTY AS THEY SAID THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN SABOTAGED BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF. I POINTED OUT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SABOTAGE AND LET HIM KNOW THAT I WOULD BE PURSUING A WARRANTY CLAIM WITH GMC CORPORATE AS WELL AS MA DEPT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE GENERAL MANAGER AGREED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE THIS ONE TIME WAS WHILE RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUEST DID NOT APPEAR TO ADDRESS A POTENTIALLY LARGER SAFETY ISSUE. I INQUIRED ABOUT REPORTING THIS INCIDENT TO THE NHTSA AND THEY DID NOTHING WHICH IS WHY I AM CONTACTING THIS ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY. *TR UPDATED 1/29/16 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669187

Dec 26, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WHEN IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10668283

Dec 22, 2014LightsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN REPLACING THE LIGHT BULB, THE BASE OF THE BULB AND THE PLASTIC HARNESS WAS BURNT AND MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS WERE REPLACED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10667686

Nov 18, 2014Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V266000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN UPDATED 03/03/15

NHTSA ODI 10658873

Nov 16, 2014Lights

SEPT. 3, 2014-RUNNING LIGHT WAS OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER TO DO RECALL ON SEAT BELTS. HAD BULB PUT IN WHICH COSTS $73.13. RETURNED TO DEALER ON NOV 4, 2014 FOR SERVICE, OIL CHANGE, ETC. LIGHT WAS OUT AGAIN. TECH SAID HE HAD TO ORDER SOCKET- IT WAS SHORTED OUT. WENT BACK TO DEALER FOLLOWING WEEK ON FRI. WAS THEN TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO MELTING OF INTERIOR OF LIGHT. TECH SAID IT WAS $1000.00 TO REPLACE. I TOLD HIM THAT NO I WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS SINCE IT WAS NOT MY PROBLEM BUT A GMC DESIGN AND PARTS DEFECT. HE ASKED IF I WOULD PAY $100.00 WHICH I AGREED TO. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF OTHER HEADLIGHT WE FOUND THAT ONE WAS ALSO IN PROCESS OF FAILING AS WELL. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THIS WAS DONE NOV 12, 2014. SO FAR SO GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10655261

Oct 28, 2014SteeringSuspension

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. GMC KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2008 - 2011'S BUT, OF COURSE, NOT FOR 2012'S ("LET'S SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN BEFORE WE FIX THE ISSUE."). FORCED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND ALIGNMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10650790

Oct 6, 2014Body & structure1 injury

AS POWER LIFTGATE WAS OPENING, I STARTED TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM BACK OF VEHICLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, AS THE LIFTGATE REACHED THE TOP OF IT'S OPENING RANGE, IT IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED DOWN ABOUT 12 INCHES, HITTING ME IN THE HEAD AND CAUSING SEVERE NECK PAIN, AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL DOWN. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNSURE WHAT THE ACTUAL DEFECT IS AS I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO GM YET TO BE DIAGNOSED. IN GOOGLING THIS ISSUE, I CAME ACROSS ANOTHER PERSON THAT HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. "I MADE A REPORT TO THE NHTSA. THE NUMBER IS 10464171" *TR

NHTSA ODI 10641583

Sep 22, 2014Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND BURNING RUBBER ODOR EMITTED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,614. UPDATED 10/29/14*CN ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE BRAKE BOOSTER DID NOT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BRAKES, UPDATED 03/03/15

NHTSA ODI 10638152

Sep 15, 2014Electrical systemLightsSeat beltsSeats

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE FOR A WHILE NOW. THE CAR WILL CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN THE SEATBELT AS WELL AS TODAY WHILE I AM TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS I WAS HITTING THE GAS PEDAL I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO [XXX] ON ANOTHER OCCASION BECAUSE I HAD JUST LEFT THE GAS STATION FILLING THE TANK UP I GOT IN THE TRUCK PULLED OUT OF THE GAS STATION AND THE GAS GAUGE STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN MY OVERHEAD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR JUST DIED OUT IN 45 MPH TRAFFIC I TOOK IT IN AND ALL THEY KEEP TELLING ME IS IF THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY CAN NOT HELP ME HOW IS THIS SAFE NUMBER ONE NUMBER TWO I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO CUT OFF. I HAVE HAD THE SPEEDOMETER JUST GO UP AND DOWN AS I'M DRIVING AS WELL AS THE RADIO WOULD JUST START TO SHIFT FROM AUXILIARY TO CD TO RADIO WITHOUT EVER BEING TOUCHED. IF I HIT A POTHOLE LIGHTS START FLASHING THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. BUT I'M BEING TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM HOW IS THIS ON MY SHOULDERS I'M PAYING FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT IS NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT'S PRINTED ON. IT HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SOMETHING THEY JUST DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR. BUT I CAN NOT KEEP PUTTING MY FAMILIES LIVES IN DANGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND GMC WILL NOT HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633263

Aug 28, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEquipment Adaptive/mobilityFuel system

EITHER I GOT A LEMON, WHICH IS DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY, OR THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES W/ GMC AS A MANUFACTURER WHICH IS EVIDENT. THE AMERICAN CAR INDUSTRY JUST WON'T DO BUSINESS DIFFERENTLY BUT THEN AGAIN, THEY DON'T HAVE TO- THEY GET BAILED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT REPEATEDLY. I LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER, 2012. THE ISSUES CITED ABOVE, WERE RELATED TO 3 BAD FUEL IGNITION VALVES, THEY WERE REPLACED FINALLY AFTER I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND NEARLY 6 MONTHS OF COMPLAINING. THE ISSUE WAS WHEN ACCELERATING, THE RPMS WOULD STICK AT AROUND 5-6 WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AROUND SPEEDS OF 45 MPH TO 60 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS WAS HIGHWAY DRIVING, BUT WILL HAPPEN ON 4 LANE ROADS AS WELL. DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME, THE STABILITY OF THE CAR IN ICE/SNOW ONLY WORKED IF THE TOW PACKAGE FEATURE WAS TURNED ON. OTHERWISE, I SPUN OUT LEAVING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD GOING DOWN A SLOPE AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 30 MPH. DEALER SAID IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE AND DID NOTHING. I JUST KEEP THE TOW FEATURE ON DURING SNOW/ICE/RAIN. ELECTRICAL ISSUES, HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY, IT WASN'T HEATING UNLESS THE TEMP WAS PUT AT 80 DEGREES. ONLY THING DEALER WOULD CONCEDE WAS THERE WAS A KINK IN THE HOSE. IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN- WE HAVE TO SET THE A/C AT 60 IN ORDER FOR IT TO COOL THE CAR DOWN. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. ONCE AGAIN, THE ISSUE WITH THE RPMS AND HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. I'M PAYING OFF THIS LEASE EARLY AND HOPEFULLY WILL NOT GET A PENALTY. THIS IS A POORLY MADE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10629017

Aug 28, 2014Seat belts

2012 GMC ACADIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND HAD TO BE ORDERED. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10628743

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 300 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

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 2012 GMC Acadia Denali verdict →