Home · 2013 GMC Acadia Denali · Complaints

What 134 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 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 (134)Crash / fire / injury (13)Electrical system (38)Airbags (30)Transmission & drivetrain (26)Engine (21)Lights (10)Steering (8)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (6)Speed control (6)Body & structure (5)Fuel system (5)

Newest first · 134 complaints · page 3 of 6

Mar 6, 2020Seat beltsSeats

THE SIDE PIECE OF THE TWO FONT SEATS BROKE, I CAN'T SIT PROPERLY INTO MY CAR WITHOUT LITERALLY SITTING ON TOP OF THE SIDE OF THE SEAT FIRST. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT SOMETIMES GETS STUCK. ALSO THE ELECTRICAL BUTTONS ARE ALL FALLEN, HANGING FROM THE SIDE OF BOTH FRONT SEATS DO TO THE SAME ISSUE.. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF I CAN EITHER GET IT FIXED OR POSSIBLY EVEN REPLACE BOTH SEATS WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN TO AVOID SITTING ON TOP OF IT FIRST. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11316674

Feb 19, 2020Electrical system

SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SENSORS . SENSORS FAILED 3 TIMES.SENSORS FILL WITH WATER FREEZE AND SHORT OUT. CABLE HARNESS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MELTED.

NHTSA ODI 11310157

Feb 13, 2020Electrical system

THE SIDE BLIND ZONE DETECTION SYSTEM BECAME DEFECTIVE, FROM DEFECTIVE MODULES DAMAGED FROM THE ELEMENTS. THIS CAUSES MANY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO BECOME DISABLED AND EVEN DISABLES THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THERE IS A SPECIAL WARRANTY BUT ONLY UP TO 80,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE IS BEYOND THAT. IT IS STILL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR MANY GM CUSTOMERS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR SHOULD BE COVERED FOR ALL!

NHTSA ODI 11309080

Jan 12, 2020Airbags

DASH BOARD ON MY GMC TRUCK IS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES. ONE OF THE PLACES IS A CORNER ON THE DASH THAT ENCASES THE AIRBAG. I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY COVERED THE DASH SINCE DAY ONE, BECAUSE I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON MY 2007 SIERRA. DASH CRACKED IN ONE PLACE. DEALER REPLACED IT FOR FREE.

NHTSA ODI 11298822

Jan 9, 2020AirbagsSeat belts

SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LITE COMES ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISES $12-1400 IN REPAIR COSTS. HAVE HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH CAR. SPENT ALMOST $1000 REPLACING WIRING HARNESS TO SIDE DETECTION. HAD TO REPLACE MOST OF DASH WIRING HARNESS DUE TO WATER DAMAGE WHICH COULDN'T DETERMINE IF MANUFACTURING ISSUE OR ACCIDENT REPAIR. THAT WAS ABOUT $3000. NOW AFTER CHECKING KELLY BLUE BOOK POTENTIAL RECALL COMES UP. DON'T KNOW IF REPORTED PRIOR OR FIXED BY PRIOR OWNER. TOO MUCH COINCIDENCE THAT COMES UP NOW AND GOES FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO NOW DRIVER SIDE.. DEALERSHIP GOT LIGHT TO GO OFF FOR A WHILE. LATE LAST FALL CAME BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11298114

Dec 23, 2019Electrical systemLights

FIRST IT STARTED WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS STAYING ON HOURS AFTER VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF THEN IT WENT TO PARKING LIGHTS STAYING ON AS WELL AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS ARE OUT INCLUDING LISCENCE PLATE LIGHTS NOTHING WORKS BUT THE HEADLIGHT

NHTSA ODI 11290987

Nov 22, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE 'SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM', 'LOW VOLTAGE' AND 'TRACTION CONTROL' MESSAGES SUDDENLY DISPLAYED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11281710

Oct 15, 2019Steering

AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOPS THE POWER STEERING GET SUPER TIGHT LIKE I DON'T HAVE ANY POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PUMP IS LEAKING AND IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD IT A YEAR AND IT NOT COVERED. THEY EVEN KNOW ITS AN ISSUE. SEEN A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT FIXED ????

NHTSA ODI 11268620

Oct 15, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ARCADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE STABILITRAK DISABLE AND TRACTION CONTROL DISABLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TEAM ONE CHEVROLET BUICK (1616 LANSING RD, CHARLOTTE, MI 48813, (517) 543-0200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN ENGINE WAS ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER:[XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,393. CONSUMER STATED ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

NHTSA ODI 11268736

Oct 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

THIS VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING A SHAKING OR JUMPING FEELING AT 1800 RPMS AROUND 85,000 MILES. UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AT OUTSIDE MECHANIC. CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND BEGAN HAPPENING AT OTHER RPMS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AFTER VEHICLE HIT 109,000 MILES AND DIAGNOSED AT TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH THEY REFUSE TO FIX BECAUSE OUTSIDE WARRANTY. PER MY REVIEW OF OTHER SITES, THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT AND OBVIOUS ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND CAN LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE VEHICLE CAN LOSE POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11265608

Oct 2, 2019Electrical system

SIDE VIEW INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON, DISRUPTED BY WATER INTRUSION INTO THE SENSORS. INITIAL RECALL STOPPED AT 80,000 MILES. THE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BEING ON ARE A HAZARD AT NIGHT AS THERE IS INDIRECT LIGHT AFFECTING MY VISION AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE MIRRORS ARE LOOKED AT DIRECTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THE FACT THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE MIRRORS AT NIGHT. I HAVE NEARLY CAUSED >10 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11265612

Oct 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION HAS BAD SHUDDER IN IT TAKING OFF AND WHILE PULLING SLIGHT GRADE ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAS 120849 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A SLIP IN IT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY.

NHTSA ODI 11265733

Oct 1, 2019Airbags

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON

NHTSA ODI 11265299

Sep 16, 2019Airbags

AIRBAG WIRING SHORT REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL 14V118 ON SEPT 30, 2014. THEN SEPT 13, 2019 AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN AND DEALER HAD TO REPAIR SAME AIRBAG WIRING. DEALER AND GMC REFUSED TO HONOR ORIGINAL RECALL AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR ONE REPAIR OF THIS WIRING AND NOT FOR SECOND REPAIR OF SAME WIRING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11255609

Sep 16, 2019Airbags

AIRBAG WIRING SHORT REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL 14V118 ON SEPT 30, 2014. NEXT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AUGUST 2019. REPAIR BY DEALER REVELED A SHORT IN THE SAME WIRING THAT WAS ORIGINALLY RECALLED. DEALER CORRECTED AIRBAG WIRING SHORT BUT DEALER AND GMC REFUSED TO HONOR ORIGINAL RECALL STATING THAT THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR ONE REPAIR. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO KEEP AIRBAGS FUNCTIONING EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS RE-CALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11255610

Sep 10, 2019Electrical system

WHEN STARTING MY ENGINE, IT ROLLS OVER AND STARTS BUT CONTINUES TO CRANK/TURN (EVEN AFTER IT HAS STARTED).

NHTSA ODI 11254358

Jul 24, 2019Airbags

IN EARLY 2019 WE NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG ICON WAS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AND A NOTICE ON THE DASHBOARD STATED THAT THE AIRBAG NEEDED SERVICE. INITIALLY, THIS OCCURED SOMETIMES WHILE IDLING AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. ULTIMATELY, THE LIGHT AND THE MESSAGE BECAME PERSISTENT AND CONTINUOUS ANYTIME THE SWITCH WAS ON. HAVING FAILTHFULLY USED THE BRAND'S DEALSHIPS FOR SERVICE OVER THE YEARS WE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM TO THE LOCAL ONE IN EARLY MARCH 2019. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE DEALER ATTEMPTED A LOCAL REPAIR. IT FAILED IMMEDIATELY. UPON RETURNING WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT TODAY THE DEALER DISCLAIMED BEING ABLE TO GET THE LISTED PART MUCH LESS INSTALL IT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AT PRESENT, WE'RE SADDLED WITH A VEHICLE WITH A COMPROMISED SAFETY SYSTEM AND NO WAY TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11234655

Jul 17, 2019Electrical system

WIPERS TURN OFF IF BLINKER ON AND ONLY WORK ON HIGH

NHTSA ODI 11232937

Jul 8, 2019Lights

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE HORRIBLE , IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD . WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY LIGHT UP THE ROAD ABOUT 6 FT IN FEONT OF YOU ON LOW BEAM AND THERE IS A DISTINCT LINE WHERE THEY STOP SHINING UPWARDS WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT 4 FT UP INTO THE SKY . THIS DOES NOT GIVE YOU ENOUGH TIME TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF YOU LET ALONE PWOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALKS . I AM VERY DISSAPOINTES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS 6 YEARS OLD AND THIS HASNT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YET . MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY AND DRIVE RHIS VEHICLE AND THEN RECALL IT BECAUSE YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING ON LOW BEAM. I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AFTER GETTING THIS AND DRIVING AR NIGHT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECONCIKED FOR ALL OF US BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO SOMEONE .

NHTSA ODI 11230189

Jun 25, 2019SeatsCrash

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT SQUEAKS WHEN DRIVING AND BRAKING. BASICALLY WHENEVER THE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. MECHANIC SAID HE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT DOES IT BUT HE THINKS IT'S THE MOUNTING TRACK ON THE BASE INTO THE CONNECTION TO THE BACKREST. SAID MOST LIKELY AN ENTIRE SEAT OR FRAME OF SEAT WOULD NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI 11222570

Jun 17, 2019Electrical system

SIDE DETECTION MODULE IS A WARRANTY RECALL BY GM AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART DUE TO MILEAGE. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL BY GM SO THEY SHOULD HONOR THEIR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11220626

Jun 17, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LIGHT ON THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INTERIOR LIGHTING TO BLACK OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND LIGHTING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, INCLUDING CHAMPION BUICK GMC (855-587-3503, LOCATED AT 7885 GRAND RIVER AVE, BRIGHTON, MI 48114). THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD MORE THAN 80,000 MILES, IT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11220640

May 10, 2019Electrical systemLightsEngine

I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS IN A VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. THE HEADLIGHTS IN THIS VEHICLE WERE GOOD ABOUT 2 YEARS. BUT, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY YEAR. AND, I HAVE TO HAVE THE A/C SYSTEM WORKED ON EVERY YEAR AS WELL BEGINNING 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IS THE WORST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING SOMETHING BREAK. HEADLIGHTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, MOTOR MOUNT, MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH A/C, TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11206895

Mar 18, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE DASH BLACKED OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN WOULD GO THRU CHECKS AS IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE MORNING I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THE PROBLEM STOPPED. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING VERY SLOW (MAYBE 10 MPH) IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE DASH BEGAN GOING THRU ITS CHECKS AGAIN. I STOPPED AND WENT INTO A GAS STATION FOR A COUPLE OF MINS, RETURNED AND COULD NOT UNLOCK THE FRONT DOORS WITH MY KEY FOB. GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START, NOR DID IT CRANK (NO SOUND). AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES, IT DID START. O'REILLY AUTO PARTS CHECKED IT AND SAID THAT MY STARTER WAS BAD. THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE IN STOCK. I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED, THE RADIO DID NOT COME ON. AFTER A FEW RE-STARTS, THE RADIO DID COME ON. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, AND FOUND A VIDEO ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT MENTIONED A RECALL. CHECKED MY VIN, NO RECALL, BUT VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FIND THE ISSUE AND FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11189674

Feb 16, 2019Electrical system

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL OR RADIO PROBLEMS SINCE 2016 FINALLY IN 2017 THEY REPLACED THE RADIO THEY STATED THE RADIO WAS THE ISSUE. BECAUSE MY RADIO FREEZES AND TURNS OFF AND ON.EVERY SECOND MONTHS LATER IT STARTED DOING IT. I AM A NURSE I AM A BUSY MOM TOO. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY DID RESET, UPDATE AND THE RADIO WAS FINE. MONTHS LATER THERE I GO HAVING SAME ISSUE AND NOW NO WARRANTY FOR RADIO. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY CANT REPLACE WITH WARRANTY BECAUSE IS NOT COVERED. WOW IS INSANE, DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE PART IN THIS ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE COMMENTS WITH SAME PROBLEMS WITH RADIO OF THIS MODEL TOO. I NEED A SOLUTION TO GET MY RADIO FIX. I HAVE HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER AND LITERALY TELL THEM WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11180459

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Working with the data? Download all 134 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 2013 GMC Acadia Denali verdict →