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 12 of 18

Jan 20, 2020Electrical systemLights

MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD & THE DRL LED LIGHTS AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL ON, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT. I TRIED TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF/ON, TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF/ON. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE FUSES, RELAY, & SENSORS, AS WELL AS CHANGED BOTH BULBS AND THEY STILL WILL NOT WORK. IT WAS DARK WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WHICH POSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11300567

Jan 13, 2020Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE CADILLAC OF SOUTH BAY 18600 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90504 (310) 697-1800 WHERE DIAGNOSED THAT CONNECTOR UNDERNEATH THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HIGH RESISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO SERVICE BULLETIN 10057064-3254. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 11299069

Dec 29, 2019Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET THE 2014 GMC SIERRA 6.2 L V8 LOST POWER AND STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO STOP, AND REVERSE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE INTERSECTION, TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN, IT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE TRUCK HAD UNDER 60,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO A GM DEALER SHOP FOR REPAIR. THIS FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN AUGUST OF 2019. THE ROCKER ARM AND EXHAUST SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE #2 CYLINDER, THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD TO BE REBUILT WITH A NEW HEAD. IN ADDITION THEY REPLACED 4 FUEL INJECTORS. IN DECEMBER OF 2019, A SECOND INCIDENT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MY HOUSE TO GET IT HOME, PARK IT AND IT WAS TOWED TO A A CERTIFIED GM DEALER SHOP FOR REPAIR. THIS TIME IT HAD 61,752 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE NUMBER 5 SPRING BROKE. IT IS AT THE SHOP WAITING ON SPRING REPLACEMENT, THEY ARE IN BACKORDER, THERE IS NOT PROJECTED TIME THE REPAIR WILL BE COMPLETE.

NHTSA ODI 11291861

Dec 28, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

WAS BACKING UP ON A DRIVEWAY AND WAS NEXT TO A CAR AND APPARENTLY WAS CLOSER THAN I THOUGHT AND HIT THE CAR BECAUSE MY SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING AND NO SENSORS OR WARNING SOUNDS WENT OFF. 'SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM' IS ON MY DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11291806

Nov 19, 2019Engine

MY 2014 GMC ACADIA SHUTS OFF FROM TIME TO TIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNINGS AND THERE IS NO ACTIVE CODES ON A SCANNER NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS RADIO KEEPS PLAYING AND DASH IS STILL LIT UP BUT ENGIN IS NOT RUNNING THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ONCE YOU GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THE KEY THE CAR STARTS BACK UP AND CONTINUES TO RUN NORMALLY THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES TO ME IN ABOUT A 3 WEEK PERIOD NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS BUT I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUE EVERY TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IT WAS WHILE TURNING ON TO A BUSY STREET. I FEEL SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DO TO THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11281182

Nov 15, 2019Airbags

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. AS OF 4 DAYS AGO IT HAS BEEN ON AND STAYED ON. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND FROM RESEARCH IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11280318

Oct 24, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

CAR WAS BANGING INTO SECOND GEAR PERIODICALLY SINCE THE DAY WE GOT IT AS A CPO ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. FAST FORWARD TO LAST WEEK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WAS BUCKING AND SLAMMING INTO GEARS AND STALLING OUT AT LIGHTS. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE CAR NEEDED A TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. GM CORPORATE DID NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE COST AND NOW I'M ON THE HOOK FOR A $6,000 BILL. PLUS I HAVE TO FIND A RENTAL CAR TO WAIT FOR THE BACK ORDERED TRANSMISSION TO ARRIVE BECAUSE OF THE STRIKE. NEVER AGAIN GM

NHTSA ODI 11270812

Oct 20, 2019Airbags

STARTED THE CAR ON A RAINY DAY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED "SERVICE AIR BAG". I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND THE MESSAGE AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. I HAVE SEARCHED SEVERAL FORMS WHERE SEVERAL CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11269583

Oct 20, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE STEERING TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WAS REALLY TIGHT AND HARD TO STEER AS IS THERE WERE NO POWER STEERING THE VEHICLE TWO DAYS LATER BROKE DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE I WENT FROM 70MPH TO 30MPH WITHIN SECONDS WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED THE SEAT BELT JERKED MY SHOULDER IT JERKED SO HARD WHEN THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER DUE TO WHAT THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAID WAS A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE I SPENT 1600 GETTING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP AND WHAT THEY SAID WAS A LOOSE WIRE CAUSING TH TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM FIXED JUST FOR THE CAR TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN WITH THE SAME TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE THE CAR SLOWED DOWN SO QUICKLY I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY SEAT BELT ON AND THE BREAKS WERE VERY HARD TO PUSH I HAD TO CRAWL TO A STOP ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AGAIN AND NO STEERING THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE THERE SHOULD BE A LAW SUIT

NHTSA ODI 11269772

Oct 15, 2019Electrical systemLightsEngine

THE GEARS SOMETIMES DOES A HARD PUSH WHEN CHANGING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT KEEPS TURNING OFF AND DRIVER CAN NOT SEE THE SPEEDOMOTOR ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11268723

Oct 7, 2019Airbags

MY "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT AND WARNING CAME ON AND WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED IT IS THE WIRING UNDER MY DRIVERS SEAT CAUSING THE WARNING LIGHT. THE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON A FEW DAYS AGO WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON AND WE HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF IF I MOVE MY DRIVERS SEAT FORWARD AND BACK, BUT THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AS THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE SEAT POSITION I NEED TO KEEP IT IN FOR DRIVING. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALLED 2008-2013 GMC ACADIA. MINE IS A 2014 AND NOT A PART OF THE OFFICIAL RECALL, BUT CLEARLY THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT THE EXPENSE OF GM.

NHTSA ODI 11266699

Oct 2, 2019Airbags

SERVICE AIG BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT DISABLES THE AIRBAGS FROM FUNCTIONING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN AN IMPACT COLLISION. IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON GMC ACADIAS FOR THIS ISSUE THROUGH THE 2013 MODEL. THIS IS AN ON-GOING ISSUE WITH THE ACADIA THAT RESULTS IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SAFETY FEATURE NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 11265546

Sep 16, 2019Brakes

IN ORDER TO STOP MY VEHICLE I'M HAVING TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I'M DRIVING IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BRAKES ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN AND MAKE A SCRUBBING SOUND.

NHTSA ODI 11255519

Sep 13, 2019Lights

VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING. HEADLIGHTS ARE IN AUTO RUNNING LIGHTS POSITION, BUT WILL NOT TURN ON. NO HEADLIGHTS AVAILABLE, ONLY OPTION TO USE IS FOG LIGHTS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER 9 PM ON A HIGHWAY, CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS SHOPS AND NO PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS WERE DETECTED, NO PROBLEMS WITH FUSES, COMPUTER OR BATTERY DETECTED, NO LAMPS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TWO MONTHS LATER NO SOLUTION FOUND. THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATIONAL DURING POOR WEATHER OR AFTER DARK.

NHTSA ODI 11255329

Sep 5, 2019AirbagsSeatsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 2014 ACADIA OWNERS HAVING A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND WONT GO OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ALL ACADIA'S OF 2013 AND EARLIER THAT HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. 2014 NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND POSSIBLE DEATH UPON IMPACT ISSUE IF AIRBAG DOESNT GO OFF DUE TO GMC'S NEGLIGENCE IN DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE PREVIOUS MODELS HAD. GMC COULD FACE LAWSUITS IF SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE ON THIS YEAR ACADIA. ITS APPROX $500 TO FIX AND IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM ACROSS MANY OWNED ACADIAS. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 11253413

Aug 29, 2019

GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO "0" WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE YET IT HAD GAS IN IT.

NHTSA ODI 11252187

Aug 28, 2019Electrical system

THE FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO E WHEN YOU STILL HAVE APPROX 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THERE WAS RECALL FOR THIS BUT IT SEEMS IT DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE BY VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11251969

Aug 20, 2019Airbags

THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 2014 ACADIA OWNERS HAVING A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND WONT GO OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ALL ACADIA'S OF 2013 AND EARLIER THAT HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. 2014 NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND POSSIBLE DEATH UPON IMPACT ISSUE IF AIRBAG DOESNT GO OFF DUE TO GMC'S NEGLIGENCE IN DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE PREVIOUS MODELS HAD. GMC COULD FACE LAWSUITS IF SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE ON THIS YEAR ACADIA. ITS APPROX $500 TO FIX AND IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM ACROSS MANY OWNED ACADIAS. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 11245261

Aug 7, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY ON THE HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. THE CAR LOSES POWER AND A MESSAGE COMES ON SAYING SERVICE STABILITRAK TRACTION CONTROL OFF ENGINE POWER REDUCED, THE ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND I CANNOT GET BACK UP TO SPEED. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY, TURN IT OFF AND WAIT 20-30 SECONDS THEN TURN IT BACK ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE TWICE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11242183

Aug 5, 2019Airbags

ON SATURDAY EVENING AUGUST 3, 2019 MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING OUR 2014 GMC ACADIA, REPORTED TO ME THAT A RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE AIR BAG" CAME ON AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. ON SUNDAY AUGUST 4, THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE WENT OFF DURING THE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT LATER CAME ON WHEN MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE DURING THE EVENING. ON MONDAY AUGUST 5 WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE ACADIA, BOTH THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE "SERVICE AIR BAG" CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. ON MONDAY AUGUST 5 I DROVE THE ACADIA TO A GM DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS IT OPENED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE TWO DIAGNOSIS CODES FOR TWO SEPARATE FAILURES RELATING TO THE AIR BAGS. THE FIRST WAS CODE B0022 (WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAID WAS RELATED TO A WIRING FAILURE). THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THIS FAILURE CODE OF B0022 WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY PURSUANT TO GM SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT NUMBER 15804. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE SECOND DIAGNOSIS CODE WAS B0058 (WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAID WAS A FAILED SENSOR). THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS NEEDED TO BE FIXED IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID, HOWEVER, THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ADJUSTMENT 15804. THE DEALERSHIP DID OFFER A DISCOUNTED CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FAILED SENSOR AND AS OF THIS WRITING THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE ALL REPAIRS NECESSARY FOR THE AIR BAGS TO WORK. I HAVE ADVISED THE DEALERSHIP OF MY INTENTION TO REPORT THE SENSOR FAILURE ISSUE TO NTSB SO THAT NTSB AND GM ARE AWARE OF IT. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE ABOVE TO GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND AM AWAITING A RETURN CALL FROM A "SENIOR ADVISOR". I HAVE ALSO REQUESTED THAT GM COVER ALL COSTS RELATING TO THE SENSOR FAILURE AS WELL AS THE WIRING FAILURE AS I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT BOTH RELATE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 11241809

Jul 31, 2019SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABLILITREK COMES ON WHILE I'M DRIVING WHICH IS VERY BECAUSE THE CAR JERKS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE AT A CERTAIN SPEED. AND WHEN I GO AROUND A CURVE THE STABLILITREK ACTIVE COME ON AND THE CAR MAKES A HUMMING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11240920

Jul 22, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 SECONDS AND THEN JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DESERT SUN ROSWELL (1266, 2601 W 2ND ST, ROSWELL, NM 88201, (575) 625-1000) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,550.

NHTSA ODI 11233868

Jul 18, 2019Airbags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IN THE DISPLAY INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND REMAINS ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO SEVERAL WEEKS THEN CLEARS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THEN REPEATS. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE WHEN PRESENTING FOR DIAGNOSTIC REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 11233014

Jul 9, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BERLIN CITY NISSAN OF PORTLAND (227 MAINE MALL RD SOUTH, PORTLAND, ME 04106, 207-390-8982) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT EQUIPPED TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER (BILL DODGE GMC BUICK, 2 SAUNDERS WAY, WESTBROOK, ME 04092, (207) 420-8987) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,090.

NHTSA ODI 11230418

Jul 2, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY SERRA BUICK GMC CADILLAC (12300 30 MILE RD, WASHINGTON, MI 48095, (586) 331-2540). AFTER THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SERRA BUICK GMC CADILLAC (12300 30 MILE RD, WASHINGTON, MI 48095, (586) 331-2540) DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,725.

NHTSA ODI 11228929

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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 →