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What 300 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Acadia Limited

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 6 of 12

Nov 11, 2018Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 68-80MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT. IT GOES AWAY AFTER 80MPH. I HAVE HAD TIRES REPLACED, RE MOUNTED AND BALANCED, AND NEW DRIVE SHAFT. IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THE MECHANIC SAID WE CAN TRY REPLACED THE REAR AXLES. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE PART AFTER PART.

NHTSA ODI 11150865

Nov 9, 2018

TAKATA-THE LIFT GATE WILL RAISE UP BUT IMMEDIATELY CLOSES. IF A PERSON IS UNDER THE LIFT GATE IT WILL SERIOUSLY INJURE THEM. FOR SOME REASON IT'S NOT STAYING OPEN. READ THE RECALL INFO BACK IN 2016 REGARDING THIS ISSUE. EVERYTHING DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL IS WHAT MY VEHICLE IS DOING.

NHTSA ODI 11150251

Nov 1, 2018Engine

AT 70,000 MILES, THE VALVE SPRING BROKE, AND ALLOWED THE KEEPERS OF THE VALVE TO COME OUT AND THEN THE VALVE DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND CALLED IT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE COST TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE WAS $8922.38, AND THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT - IT JUST STOPPED. WHEN WE TRIED RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE NOISE (METAL PARTS WERE GRINDING INSIDE THE ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11144779

Oct 29, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLIPPING IN ANY GEAR FROM SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FAILURE IF IT MAY PROGRESS WITH NO WARNING WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A RECALL TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION. A DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, HAD ISSUED 38 TSB ON POWER TRAIN AND NO RECALLS FOR POWER TRAIN/TRANSMISSION YET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,116.

NHTSA ODI 11143776

Oct 12, 2018Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE DID NOT OPEN INITIALLY, BUT LATER SLAMMED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FELL DOWN ON THE DRIVER AND KNOCKED HIM TO THE GROUND. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 11139956

Oct 12, 2018

THE POWER LIFT GATE ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON, IT GOES UP AND THEN GOES DOWN RIGHT AWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11140019

Oct 3, 2018

I BOUGHT A GMC ACADIA 2012 IN 2015 I DIDN'T HAVE IT A YEAR AND START HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AIR CONDITION I COULD HERE A SEEPING SOUND IT WOULD ALWAYS BLOW WHEN I TURN IT ON, BUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR IT START BLOWING WARM AIR,I TOOK IT BACK WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM THREE TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AFTER THE THIRD TIME THEY SAID MY CONDENER HAD A HOLE IN IT CAUSING THE FREEON TO LEAK OUT, I THINK IT WAS ALWAY READY LIKE THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT, THEY JUST DIDN'T, SAY ANYTHING ITHINK TTHEY SHOULD FIX IT WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT TO BE FIX. THIS CAR WAS ON CAR LOT.

NHTSA ODI 11133038

Oct 2, 2018Steering

I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES IN THE 6 WEEKS

NHTSA ODI 11132953

Sep 27, 2018

EVAPORATOR CORE LEAKING AND THEREFORE SENDING TOXIC FREON CHEMICALS/PARTICLES INTO THE AIR INCLUDING AN ORDER THAT REMINDS ME OF FARM WASTE. MANY COMPLAINTS ON ACADIA, TRAVERSE, AND ENCLAVE. THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT THERE FOR MECHANICS ON HOW TO FIX, BUT YET NO RECALL. COST TO REPAIR $1,300+

NHTSA ODI 11131997

Sep 6, 2018

CRACK IN PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD....VEHICLE WAS STATIOARY

NHTSA ODI 11127945

Aug 31, 2018Engine

2012 GMC ACADIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED TIMING CHAIN. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JS

NHTSA ODI 11123749

Aug 28, 2018Airbags

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. AIRBAGS WILL LIKELY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. NHTSA SHOWS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM FOR ALL 2012 ACADIAS; HOWEVER, MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP AS A PENDING RECALL. GMC DEALER AND GMC BOTH DECLINE TO ADDRESS ISSUE AS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11123005

Aug 14, 2018Steering

WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND COULD NOT TURN THE CAR. ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. NO PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS, 90,000 MILES. REPAIRS INCLUDED: NEW STERING PUMP, NEW HOSES AND NEW RACK AND PINION GEAR

NHTSA ODI 11119902

Jun 25, 2018Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE ENGINE THAT RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,185.

NHTSA ODI 11103752

Jun 21, 2018Body & structure

LIFTGATE STRUTS DID FAIL AND THE LIFTGATE FELL DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY. IT HAPPENED EXACTLY AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V415000 BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ODI 11102998

May 30, 2018Steering

LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AT LOW RPM. RESULT: HARD TO TURN ON EITHER DIRECTION. WHEN PARKING, REVING UP THE ENGINE HELPS STEERING ASSIST RETURN TO "NORMAL". PROBLEM IS AT IT WORST AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE. NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE: I WAS COMING OF THE FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN (AT SLOWER SPEED) WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL "FELT LOCKED AND I NEARLY ENDED UP DRIVING OVER AN BUSY OVERPASS. IT WAS ONLY DUE TO LUCK, VERY HARD BRAKING AND HARD MANUAL STEERING THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO TURN A LITTLE AND STOP BEFORE DRIVING OVER OVERPASS. STEERING FLUID LEVEL IS NORMAL. I AM VERY CONVERNED AS SOMOENE COULD GET HURT WHEN I LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE (NO WARNING LIGHTS AND ENGINE RUNNING AS NORMAL). I CAN'T ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS DEATH TRAP. DEALER RECOMMENDED NEW STERING PUMP NEW HOSES AND NEW RACK AND PINION GEAR. CAR HAS ONLY 96,000 NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENTS. OVER $4,000 IN REPPAIRS!

NHTSA ODI 11098810

May 11, 2018Steering

74,000 MILES ON MY 2012 GMC ACADIA. AS OF TODAY I WILL HAVE HAD 3 POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE LAST ONE I JUST HAD FOR 2 YEARS AND THEY ARE REPLACING IT NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM HAS NOT MADE AN UPDATE TO THE PART. SO THIS NEW PART COULD LAST MAYBE A YEAR OR TWO AND I WILL BE BACK IN REPLACING IT AT A COST OF $1300.00 EACH TIME. FORTUNATELY FOR ME MY CAR DID NOT SEIZE UP, MY MECHANIC FOUND THE LEAK AND I HAD IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 11093328

May 9, 2018Transmission & drivetrainAirbags

VEHICLE JERKS AT CERTAIN SPEEDS, OIL IN THROTTLE BODY, SLOW CHANGING GEARS, RPM'S NOT ADJUSTING CORRECTLY . THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY USUALLY BETWEEN 30-50 MILES PER HOUR. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES AND NEVER GOES OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11092638

Apr 29, 2018Steering

CONTINUED ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING FLUID EJECTS FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED NEAR EXHAUST PIPE AND HAVE NOTICED FLAMES AND SMOKE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI 11090848

Apr 24, 2018Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULB AND THE DAY LIGHT BULBS 4 TIMES SINCE JANUARY. EACH TIME I REPLACE ONE THE OTHER GOES OUT AND IT DOES'T LAST LONGER THAN A FEW WEEKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND STRESSFUL AS THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING HOME TWO NIGHTS AGO AND THE ROAD THAT I TAKE TO GET HOME IS VERY DARK. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH (WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH DUE TO IT ONLY WORKING ON HIGH SPEED) IN JANUARY. I'VE NOTICED MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM AS BUYING BULBS ARE BECOMING EXPENSIVE AS WELL AS THE TIME IT TAKES TO GET THEM REPLACED CAN BE LENGTHY.

NHTSA ODI 11089983

Apr 18, 2018

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE GM AUTHORIZED DEALER IN SAUDI ARABIA. NO ONE IS ABLE TO GIVE A CERTIFICATION AS TO WHETHER THE VEHICLE MEETS/DOES NOT MEET THE US DOT FMVSS AND EPA STANDARDS

NHTSA ODI 11088780

Apr 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AND JERK, EVEN VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AT TIMES. THE RPM METER JUMPS UP AND DOWN WHILE IT DOES THAT. YOU CANNOT GIVE IT GAS WHILE IT IS DOING THIS (YOU CAN BUT IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE). I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DO THIS AND STARTING LOSING SPEED QUICKLY. LUCKILY, THAT TIME IT ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO SPEED BACK UP. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A WRECK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO ERROR CODES OR ISSUES. I EXPLAINED WHAT IT WAS DOING DIRECTLY TO THE MECHANIC AND HE KNEW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT MY ACADIA WOULD NOT GO WHILE IT WAS JERKING BECAUSE THE CAR IS STUCK IN BETWEEN GEARS. APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE ACADIA BUT NO RECALLS. EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL WELL UNDER THE MILEAGE OF MY WARRANTY, GM WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO FIX BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED A FEW MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11088558

Apr 12, 2018Lights

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS ONE OF MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT OPEN INVESTIGATING ONLINE I SEE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIGH BEAMS . IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THESE BULBS AS WELL AS A SAFETY HAZARD .

NHTSA ODI 11084811

Apr 10, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V118000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11084262

Apr 4, 2018Body & structure

MY DASH IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT'S TO A POINT NOW OF NEEDING REPLACED AND HAS RAISED MY SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND PASSENGER IF I WAS TO COME INVOLVED IN A CRASH BY BROKEN LARGE PLASTIC FRAGMENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11083226

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Working with the data? Download all 300 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 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 Limited verdict →