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)

18 of 447 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Oct 24, 2023AirbagsCrash

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH he was crashed into by a vehicle that made a lane change. The contact stated that the other vehicle hit the passenger side of the vehicle on the passenger side front door. The contact said that the passenger door, the front passengar side fender, and the tire were damaged by the crash. The contact stated that the side air bags had deployed but had not fully inflated. The contact stated he was not hurt, however, the vehicle had to be towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and had written a report. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available.

NHTSA ODI 11551635

Aug 1, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 35 MPH, a vehicle behind her had passed her vehicle and cut in front of her vehicle, and slowed. The contact stated that the daughter was driving into the sun on the road and was unable to see that the vehicle had cut in front of her and had slowed, the daughter crashed into the passenger side of the other vehicle with her front end. The contact stated that her daughter's vehicle had extensive damage to the front end and was not drivable. The contact stated that her daughter's head and face hit the steering wheel from the impact. The front air drivers air bag had not been deployed. The contact stated that her daughter's mouth and front teeth had been broken and her gums lacerated. The contact stated that her daughter's father drove her to an oral surgeon. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and wrote a report. The contact's vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that her insurance provider had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

NHTSA ODI 11535717

May 11, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

I was hit in and intersection while making a left turn. The other vehicle was traveling straight and hit my back quarter panel. I was spun around twice and smashed into another car as well as a pole. NONE of my airbags went off. So glad my Kid's where not in the car!

NHTSA ODI 11521598

Jul 19, 2022Electrical system1 injury

First problem is the trunk door. About a week ago I was getting something out of my trunk and accidently hit the button and the door started to close so i tried to get away from it and somehow my arm got caught and there is absolutly NO sensor to stop the trunk from crushing my arm. Unforunately, i did have some injury to my arm from the trunk coming down and have pictures of the brusing on my arm. A sensor to stop the trunk from closing on a body part or anything for that matter needs to be better made or put in the vehicle. I took pictures of my arm days later because i was in to much pain to take them when it happened. It was not a fun injurying. Saturday night iced it, sunday had to have it elevated because it was so swollen, didnt take the picture until Wednesday when it finally had calmed down. There is bruising and swelling still on Wednesday. this happened July 9th Second problem i recently had an issue with my wiring i guess it was. Specifically it was reduced engine power message displayed and my engine stalled out on me. I was told that this is a common problem with Buick Enclaves, Chevrolet Traverses, and GMC Acadia's which is the car i have. Being that this is a common issue wouldnt this be something that would be concerned a RECALL? i dont know how recalls so im more curious about it. my car stalled out on me in the middle of traffic on July 16th

NHTSA ODI 11474778

Apr 10, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

I was involved in an accident on 03/31/2022 I was only passenger. Going about 35 mph hit a parked vehicle on passenger side of vehicle. Side air bags employed. But front air bags did not. I did get a concussion and left with scar from embrasion above right eyebrow from hitting steering wheel. Why did not the front air bag go out?

NHTSA ODI 11460307

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 26, 2018SeatsCrash

IN A REAR END COLLISION'ANOTHER CAR HITTING US, WE WERE JUST BEGINNING TO MOVE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HE WAS COMING BEHIND US AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED'THE PASSENGER SEAT CAME FORWARD ALMOST THROWING ME INTO THE DASH, THEN FLEW BACKWARDS, COLLAPSING INTO THE SEAT BEHIND IT. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS BEING A PROBLEM UNTIL I SAW IT ON TV ABOUT CHILD SAFETY IN THE REAR SEAT. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN IN THE SEAT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. SURPRISINGLY, I WAS NOT INJURED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE THE REAR WAS SO DAMAGED IT COULD NOT BE STRAIGHTENED.

NHTSA ODI 11153669

Jun 20, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureEngineCrash

"TAKATA RECALL" ON TUESDAY JUNE 19 I HAD PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY JUST BEFORE MY GARAGE WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GOT OUT TO UNLOAD AND PREPARE TO TRANSFER MY ONE KID AND THEN THE OTHER. IT WAS 100 DEGREE WEATHER SO HAD TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO BEING IN PARK, MY CAR BEGAN TO DRIVE FORWARD WITH NO ONE BEHIND THE WHEEL. MY CAR DROVE OFF MY RETAINING WALL AND LANDED VERTICALLY WITH MY CHILDREN SUSPENDED IN THEIR CAR SEATS. EMERGENCY OFFICIALS RESPONDED. I HAVE VIDEO AND WILL HOLD OFF FIXING THE DAMAGE OF VEHICLE SO THAT THE FEDS CAN INVESTIGATE. GMC ALSO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE TO SUBMIT MY SECURITY FOOTAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11102864

Dec 5, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 53 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIB, A BRUISED HEART, LEFT THIGH, AND HIPS, A BROKEN LEFT ARM, AND CUTS AND LACERATIONS FROM THE GLASS INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 10929987

Jul 26, 2016SteeringCrash3 injuries

I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 FOR AROUND AN HOUR WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL MADE A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT AND COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. THE ROAD WAS WET SO I DIDN'T WANT TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. I WAS TRYING AS HARD AS I COULD TO TRY AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT COULDN'T. I TAPPED THE BRAKES 2 TIMES AND THEN HAD TO SLAM THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD OR I WOULD HAVE HIT OTHER VEHICLES. MY CAR STARTED SPINNING AND THEN CRASHED HEAD INTO THE GUARDRAIL. I HIT THE GUARD RAIL SO HARD IT RIPPED UP THE CONCRETE AND BOUNCED MY VEHICLE BACK INTO THE INTERSTATE. ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OVER AND WAS TRYING TO HELP ME GET MY CAR OFF THE INTERSTATE BUT NEITHER OF US COULD GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN. IT WAS STILL LOCKED UP TURNED TO THE RIGHT. MY HUSBAND WAS A FEW VEHICLES BACK AND HE PULLED OVER AND WAS ALSO TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET MY VEHICLE OFF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER YANKING ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES AS HARD AS HE COULD, IT FINALLY MADE A BIG POP AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES WERE FREE SO WE COULD TURN THE WHEEL TO GET MY CAR ON SIDE THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 10888801

Mar 24, 2016Electrical systemBody & structure1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO REMAIN OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIFTGATE ACTUATOR MOTOR CONTROL SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE CONTACT'S CHILD SUFFERED A MINOR HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,147.

NHTSA ODI 10851430

Feb 3, 2015AirbagsCrash

VEHICLE SLID ON ICE OFF THE ROAD AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED (15-20 MPH). THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. BECAUSE THERE WAS MINIMAL IF ANY IMPACT; THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE EVEN A SCRATCH ON THE EXTERIOR. HOWEVER ALL THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THIS INCLUDES THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND ALL CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG HIT THE PASSENGER IN THE FOREHEAD CAUSING A SMALL CONTUSION. WE HAD 2 GLASS BOWLS ON THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER THAT DIDN'T EVEN MOVE, FURTHER SUBSTANTIATING THE LACK OF IMPACT. GM HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ISSUES WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN THEIR VEHICLES AND WE FEEL THIS IS AN INCIDENT OF A FAULTY DEPLOYMENT. HAD THERE BEEN A CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT AND HAD A VERY BAD OUTCOME RELATED TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10680868

Jan 13, 2015Seats1 injury

I HAVE HAD MY 2014 GMC ACADIA DENALI FOR A LITTLE OVER 6 MONTHS. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE DRIVEN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO I STARTED HAVE NECK PAIN AND I COULD NOT ADJUST THE SEAT HEAD REST TO A COMFORTABLE STATE. ON NOVEMBER 14TH 2014, I HAD AN ER VISIT AFTER THE NERVE PAIN IN MY ARM WAS SO SEVERE I COULD NOT STAND IT. ON DECEMBER 22ND 2014 I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A HERNIATED DISC BELOW MY C6 VERTEBRA. BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSING NERVE PAIN IN MY ARM AND LOSS OF STRENGTH. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINS ONLINE WITH THESE NECK RESTS AND COMPLAINTS OF INJURY IN THE GMC ACADIA VEHICLES. I HAVE CONTACTED MY GMC DEALER AND GMC CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS NO SOLUTION. THE PROBLEM, IS THE HEAD REST COME TOO FAR FORWARD AND DO NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THEY CAN BE PUSHED FORWARD AND BACK WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BUTTON. ALSO THE HEAD REST TO NOT ADJUST UP WITH ENOUGH HEIGHT SO I CAN NOT ADJUST THE HEAD REST UP ENOUGH FOR MY 6' 3" HEIGHT. I WISH GM WOULD TAKE THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10672134

Oct 13, 2014Transmission & drivetrainCrash4 injuries

VEHICLE DROVE BACKWARDS OUT OF THE GARAGE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND BACKED OUT IF THE GARAGE ON ITS ON, NO DRIVER WAS IN THE CAR. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR WAS ANTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR MAILBOX IN WHICH BOTH WERE STRUCK. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WENT WRONG, LEANING INTO THE CAR PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO MY SON AND WHEN I TURNED BACK AROUND I WAS CAUGHT BY THE DOOR. THE CAR DRAGGED ME DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND ALSO MY SON WAS STRUCK BY THE CAR. I SUFFERED A CONTUSIONS TO MY RIGHT WRIST, KNEE AND LEG, BACK PAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND CONTUSION TO THE RIGHT ANKLE. MY SON SUFFERS FROM BRUISES TO THE CHEST AREA AND CONTUSION AS WELL IN THE CHEST AREA. HIS LEG WAS ALSO HURT. MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE CAR COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN HER JAR AFTER THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME WE HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO HENDRICKS GMC OF CARY, NC WERE WE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AWAITING DIAGNOSTICS FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND COLLISION CENTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10644374

Oct 1, 2014SteeringTransmission & drivetrainCrash

I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT IT RUNNING WITH MY MOTHER IN THE CAR WITH HER SEAT BELT ON. AS SHE WAS SITTING THERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND HIT A FORD F150 PARKED ACROSS FROM MY VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE TRUCK. I FILED A CLAIM WITH GMC AND THEY HAD SOMEONE COME TO MY HOME AND RUN TEST ON MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. AFTER THEY FINISHED THE TEST NY LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10640602

Jun 18, 2014Engine & coolingVisibility & wipers1 injury

I WAS RETURNING FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND STOPPED TO PICK UP MY SON'S PRESCRIPTION. I TURNED TO CHECK ON MY SON, WHO JUST TURNED ONE ON SUNDAY, AND SAW HIS FACE WAS EXTREMELY RED. I WAS CONFUSED BECAUSE HE WAS SO WARM AND I HAD THE A/C ON BLAST. APPARENTLY THE BACK OF MY NEW DENALI ACADIA 2014 WAS NOW ONLY BLOWING WARM AIR. I SHUT OFF THE REAR AIR ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND FULLY BLASTED ONLY THE FRONT A/C UNIT. I LIVED ONLY 3 MINUTES AWAY SO I RACED HOME AND GOT HIM OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES HE WOKE UP AND STARTED TO APPEAR HIS NORMAL SELF. I WENT BACK OUT TO THE VEHICLE AND RETESTED THE REAR AIR NOT WORKING. AFTER I CONFIRMED IT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING THIS ISSUE UP ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS TO BE QUIT COMMON. WITHOUT MY MOTHERLY INSTINCTS AND FORMER TRAINING MY SON COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DIED FROM HEAT INJURIES IN MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS EVEN AN ISSUE I HAVE TO ALSO WORRY ABOUT. GMC NEEDS TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVES BEFORE SOMEONE DOES LOSE THEIR CHILD(REN) TO THIS HEAT ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.ACADIAFORUM.NET/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=12405.0 HTTP://BOARDREADER.COM/FP/GMC_ACADIA_FORUM_ACADIAFORUM_N_9340259/PROBLEMS_RECALLS_TSBS_FAQS_LINKS_HOW_TOS_10202903.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10599071

Jun 11, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBrakesCrash

WAS GOING TO BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN I PUT THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS IN REVERSE, IT SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR ON ITS OWN INTO DRIVE AND IT WENT FORWARD SLAMMING FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE INTO A REFRIGERATOR. CAUSING THE REFRIGERATOR TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND THE FRONT END OF THE HOOD TO BECOME CROOKED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CONCERNING AS HAD THEIR BEEN SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE MORE THAN LIKELY SERIOUSLY HURT THEM OR KILLED THEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER INCIDENTS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THAT IT WILL SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO LOW ON ITS OWN AND THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AT LEAST 3 TIMES PER WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10597775

Jun 9, 2014AirbagsCrash

I WAS HIT BY A FORD F-150 THAT WAS GOING APPROX. 55 MPH. IT HIT ME ON MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DIRECTLY BY THE BACK DOOR AND GAS TANK. I WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH MY ACADIA WAS SPUN AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS IMPACTED BY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR CAUSING IT TO BE UNUSABLE AND UNABLE TO OPEN. MY HEAD HIT AND SHOULDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND HIP AND LEFT LEG HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LEAVING PULLED MUSCLES AND BRUISES AND A SLIGHT CONCUSSION. ESIS/GM TOLD ME THAT GM WOULD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING DUE TO "BEING HIT INCORRECTLY BY THE OTHER VEHICLE". *TR

NHTSA ODI 10597134

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 →