Home · 2014 GMC Acadia Denali · Complaints

What 447 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 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 (447)Crash / fire / injury (18)Airbags (237)Electrical system (82)Engine (39)Transmission & drivetrain (32)Steering (26)Fuel system (25)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (20)Lights (19)Brakes (10)Body & structure (8)

Newest first · 447 complaints · page 10 of 18

Oct 25, 2021Electrical system

Vehicle went from running fine to stalled out instantly. Restarted ok and ran rough for a moment then perfectly fine again. Third time was in a busy intersection nearly causing an accident. Got it restarted and took it to service. The code reported is for the engine fuse box and the part was on backorder. That got me curious so I did a search and see this appears to be a recurring problem including a lawsuit that was dismissed for some reason this Spring. Clearly, this is a problem and a potentially very dangerous one. The more I read, the more I see this exact issue popping up across multiple GMC lines using the same configuration. This needs to be investigated before someone is involved in a major accident.

NHTSA ODI 11438011

Oct 22, 2021Steering

Power Steering went out, changed the pump and now there are metal shards throughout the entire system. Power steering system needs replaced

NHTSA ODI 11437829

Oct 11, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I have had the same problem for 3 years now and have taken my vehicle to a GM dealership many times for the same issue and it is definitely an issue . My car keeps throwing up TCM issue and ECM and I have asked for the modules to be checked. I have reasearched these issues and it seems to be the same with many vehicles like mine so that should be a red flag. My car will slow down, power reduce engine, traction control off, and my steering will be difficult and sometimes I can’t even get off the road in time, which is very dangerous. I have seen recalls on electrical issues and wonder if my vehicle has damaged recall parts. I am a single mother who has to work and get my child to school and can’t do so properly with my vehicle doing this all the time. It’s very frustrating.

NHTSA ODI 11436254

Oct 6, 2021SteeringAirbags

I purchased my 2014 GMC Acadia Denali July 29th, 2021. It has been back to the dealer five times, with repairs not being completed. Within weeks of purchasing it, the Service Air Bag light came on, and won't go off. The low tire light came on. The serpentine belt broke and had to be replaced, and the power steering pump started making horrendous noises and leaking fluid. I bought an expensive service contract, and of course these repairs are not covered. I also had them repair tires twice, and ended up having to replace the two front tires, after being told there was nothing wrong with them, except one had a screw. They also said that tire rotation was causing the lights to go off, and wasn't reset, and supposedly they reset it to reflect where the tires are on the vehicle in relation to the TPMS's. Well, two tires lost air constantly, and there were numerous leaks. I finally took the vehicle to a real tire store for tire replacement. The estimate for the driver's side airbag system replacement is $1400 pre-tax, and the power steering pump replacement is $1100, pre-tax. So within two months, I've had nothing but trouble; spent $380 on two new tires, and will have the cost of these repairs on top of the extra $2200 I spent on a service contract. The vehicle is beautiful, and seemingly was well-maintained, but it immediately began breaking down. I've had very limited use of it since July 29th when I bought it. (it's now October 6th, 2021). I have a meeting with the owner of the dealership tomorrow, October 7th, at the suggestion of the dealership's repair manager, as well as the salesman.

NHTSA ODI 11435752

Aug 6, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

My wife was driving at highway speeds (70MPH) on the interstate in Chicago when without warning her cluster lights appeared and her vehicle lost propulsion (stalled, Stall, died). She had no warning and the area had no shoulder for her to pull off into so she had to come to a complete stop in the right lane of the highway. People are doing speeds well above 70MPH, I would hate to think of what could have happened if a person or line of vehicles could not change lanes in time; very serious injuries and possibly death for all invovled. Fortunatly, she had the sense to put the car in park (highway lane) and completed a key cycle thus restarting the vehicle and then obviously accelerating quickly to get out of harms way. As people are swirving out of her lane and honking at her. I put our VIN into the NHTSA site and see the vehicle has no outstanding recalls. Then i search just the model year and come across a recall (14V-614, GM recall number 14515) that appears to be the same issue we may have had. In the vehicle information section of the 573 it lists: Descriptive Information : 2014 GMC Acadia Production Dates : JUN 27, 2013 - SEP 26, 2013 Plugging my VIN into a VIN decoder, i see that my vehicle was built July 26, 2013; this falls within the suspect time of this recall. Why have I not been notified of this recall? Why is the NHTSA tool not show my vehicle as being affected? This could have been a very a tragic ending. I hope you (NHTSA) reach out directly to GM to figure out why my vehicle was not included in the recall. Why my wife was put in harms way.

NHTSA ODI 11428039

Jul 21, 2021Lights

Tail lights/brakes light/blinkers The light kit cover seals break allowing water into the light kit. Water collects and shorts out the bulbs causing a dangerous hazard when rear lights fail to work in the proper manner. I have called to several places and am being told, yes, GMC has a defect on their rear tail lights. Seals were not done very well and supply cannot keep up with demand. The lights are over 300 each which is absolutely ridiculous. A part that is necessary to keep one safe and be able to signal to other drivers should not be this expensive when the manufacturer did not build a good product.

NHTSA ODI 11425851

Jul 19, 2021Airbags

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while her son was driving 40 mph, the vehicle struck a curb and all the air bags deployed. The contact's son did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425449

Jul 14, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

While traveling approximately 75mph the Service Traction Control light came on followed closely by the Low Oil Pressure Stop Engine Immediately light. We attempted to travel to a more safe area along the interstate. Within seconds the engine immediately shut off causing the loss of power steering and power brakes. The steering wheel locked in place causing the total loss of steering control. We were able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop, I would attribute this success to my being a Defensive Driver Instructor and Transportation Safety Professional. The risk associated with the issues we were faced with could have easily ended in tragedy especially at this speed (75 mph, 80 mph zone) The diagnosis of the vehicle was inconclusive due to the number of codes that were shown. The vehicle was no longer functional and had to be replaced. No documentation, other than the bill for towing is available. Diagnosis was done at no charge.

NHTSA ODI 11424874

Jun 30, 2021Electrical systemAirbags

Air Bag Service code shows up. It can be removed briefly by moving the seat back and forth. I did some research and this is similar to the recalls for older years previously issued with the wiring harness causing the air bags to malfunction. This is extremely dangerous and is well known on many car complaint sites. Why has nothing been done? Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11422970

Jun 8, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into Park. The contact stated that the key ceased in the ignition and would not allow him to shut-off the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V092000 (Power train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11420155

May 8, 2021Electrical systemFuel system

MY FUEL GAUGE OCCASIONALLY REGISTERS AS EMPTY EVEN AFTER I FILL THE GAS TANK. THIS TYPICAL HAPPENS IF I LET THE FUEL GO BELOW 1/4 TANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE FIRST 30,000 MILES AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THERE WAS NO RECALL OR SAFETY ALERT FOR THIS CONDITION. IT GRADUALLY GOES UP AS I DRIVE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11415629

May 8, 2021Airbags

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY AIRBAG LIGHT GOING ON FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, I TOOK IT TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC TO GET IT REPAIRED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE HARNESS LOCATED UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE LIGHT HAS INTERMITTENTLY APPEARED AGAIN THE PAST 3 MONTHS

NHTSA ODI 11415630

Apr 9, 2021Electrical system

A CODE P1682 -IGNITION SWITCH CIRCUIT WILL POP UP. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR A YEAR, THE VEHICLE WILL SEEM LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF POWER AT TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON, REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS BELOW 13 . I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, THROTTLE BODY, GAS PEDAL SENSORY. IT DOES ALL OF THAT WHILE DRIVING, AND STARTS TO STALL ON ME. THAT CODE POPPED UP ONCE LAST YEAR AND I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T COME UP AND IT'S DOING IT A LOT MORE. I HAVE DID RESEARCH AND HAVE SEEN MANY ISSUES WITH A FUSE BLOCK AND IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI 11407195

Apr 5, 2021Electrical system

WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR IT IMMEDIATELY GAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHUDDERING, AND RAN "SERVICE STABILITRAK" "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WARNINGS. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY KEEP TELLING US NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE EVEN CALLED GMC SERVICE LINE DIRECTLY AND EXPLAINED THAT THIS OCCURS WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND INITIALLY TURNED ON. WE RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT TOOK TWO TRIES BEFORE IT APPEARED TO START "NORMALLY." THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

NHTSA ODI 11406468

Mar 18, 2021Electrical systemEngine

MY ACADIA HAS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING MULTIPLE TIMES. TODAY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT PICKING UP A PRESCRIPTION. THE CAR WAS IDLING WHILE I WAS WAITING IN THE PICK-UP LANE AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE DASH REMAINED ON AND GAVE THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: TRACTION CONTROL OFF, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE STABILITRACK. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR SHUTTER VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND THEN RESTARTED FOR A SECOND TIME. THIS TIME IT RESTARTED AS NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER 4 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER AS IT HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER SAYS THERE ARE NO CODES IN THE DIAGNOSTICS AND CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I SAW A RECALL FROM 2014 ABOUT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS ALREADY FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED. I ALSO DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS EVEN RELATED TO THAT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11403784

Feb 26, 2021Electrical systemLightsAirbags

SERVICE SIDE BLIND DETECTION STARTED GOING OFF THEN THE SIDE BLIND DETECTION STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. NOW THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THE SIDE BLIND DETECTION MONITORS CAN CAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI 11398065

Feb 19, 2021Electrical systemEngine

TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR TURNS ON-SERVICE STABILITRAK-ENGINE LOSES POWER-CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT FOR AWHILE AND SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OVER AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. THE ISSUE IS SLOWLY HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND TAKING LONGER TO START BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI 11396903

Feb 4, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM CURLEY BUICK GMC OF KEYPORT (400 NJ-35, KEYPORT, NJ 07735) TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN RETRIEVED FAILURE CODES: P0018 AND P0021 SHOWING THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR WERE NO LONGER PERFORMING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO STATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAME DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED HOWEVER, THE DEALER CLEARED THE ENGINE CODES UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,547.

NHTSA ODI 11394702

Jan 8, 2021Electrical systemLightsLane Departure

CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT. DOORS ALL LOCKED WHILE INSIDE, KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. STARTED WITH SIDE DETECTION WARNING AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING! HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! WILL NOT RESTART AND STILL CAN'T GET KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED BUT NO POWER. COMPLETELY DEAD. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL ON 2014 GMC ACADIAS FOR ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILURE BUT NOT OUR SPECIFIC VEHICLE THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT CAUSE OF OUR PROBLEMS. GMC SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP?!

NHTSA ODI 11387107

Dec 17, 2020EngineFuel system

THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. FROM 5MPH-70MPH. THIS HAPPENS ERRATICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT RESULTS IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OFF ALL POWER.

NHTSA ODI 11383961

Dec 9, 2020Electrical systemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR BEGAN SHUTTERING AND THE WARNING SYSTEM WENT OFF STATING THE TRACTION CONTROL HAD GONE OFF. THEN IT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE ENGINE, AND SERVICE TRACTION. THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR I RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT SAID TRACTION CONTROL ON. BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO WHICH THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH TODAY, I FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN GMC ACADIA AND I AM SHOCKED THAT IT HASN'T BE REPORTED/RECALLED. IN RETROSPECT, I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE, THE CAR WILL FAIL TO SHIFT GEARS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND JERK FORWARD WHEN IT FINALLY DOES SO. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPEND!

NHTSA ODI 11378643

Nov 23, 2020Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SAW THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE IN HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECIEVED AN EMAIL FOR RECALLS ALERTING HER FOR THE TAKATA AIR BAGS HOWEVER THE VIN TOOL SHOWED NO RECALLS. THE DEALER BRYNER CHEVROLET, INC. 1750 THE FAIRWAY, JENKINTOWN, PA 19046 (215) 886-3140 DID NOT SEE THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW IF THE DEALER DID ANYMORE DIAGNOSTIC WORK TO CHECK THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE RECURRED AGAIN RECENTLY WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11375924

Nov 23, 2020Airbags

SERVICE AIRBAG NOTIFICATION REMAINS ON DUE TO UNREPAIRED SENSOR. I PAID THE DEALER ONCE TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND THE SERVICE NOTIFICATION CAME BACK ON A YEAR LATER, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR AGAIN. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT SO I'M NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK. HOWEVER, THIS HAS BEEN A CONCERN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER AND THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WITHIN A FEW YEARS. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME WITHOUT CHARGING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.

NHTSA ODI 11376008

Nov 11, 2020Airbags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11374204

Nov 10, 2020AirbagsEngine

TIMING CHAIN/BELT. SUV IS MAKING A LOUD RATTLE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ON. I GOT THIS ISSUE "FIXED" LAST YEA RIGHT AT 79,000 MILES. WARRANTY PAID FOR IT. 20,000 MILES LATE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN, RATTLE NOISE, ENGINE LIGHT ON, AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. IT WORRIES THAT THIS WILL BE A MAJOR IF IT GIVES OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING WITH MY KIDS.

NHTSA ODI 11373977

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Working with the data? Download all 447 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 2014 GMC Acadia Denali verdict →