Home · 2015 GMC Acadia Limited · Complaints

What 260 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 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 (260)Crash / fire / injury (11)Airbags (108)Steering (33)Electrical system (31)Transmission & drivetrain (22)Engine (18)Lights (16)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (13)Fuel system (9)Seat belts (9)Speed control (8)

31 of 260 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 4, 2026Electrical system

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the instrument panel went blank before the panel began to flash when it returned. The contact then stated that several various warning messages began to appear all of which were related to the vehicle's electrical features. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a code reader found no defects with the vehicle. Close to a week after the initial failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts as previous failure returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. Upon his own inspection and research regarding the vehicle, the contact linked the failure to the vehicle's BCM(Body Control Module). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ODI 11735634

Mar 25, 2026Electrical system

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the automatic alert system anti-theft system locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the safety sensors in the mirror and the rear of the vehicle became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side mirrors, and reverse light sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on three occasions, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall for the failure. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11726905

Jul 6, 2024Electrical systemFire

Drivers side door caught on fire overnight. Burned up the interior of the vehicle and smoldered out. Windows were up, car was completely closed and locked. Still starts and drives. Door, seat, steering, ceiling , visor all burnt and melted to some degree. Seems to have been electrical.

NHTSA ODI 11599551

Dec 29, 2023Electrical systemBrakesEngine

2nd time AC compressor motor breaks and as is in line with the serpentine belt, all other systems including electrical and engine stop working. Poor engineering or other reason causing part to break down.

NHTSA ODI 11562569

Feb 27, 2023Electrical systemFire1 injury

Vehicle was destroyed by electrical fire on December 21, 2022. It caught on fire after ‘SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM’ warning light displayed.

NHTSA ODI 11509273

Feb 23, 2023Electrical systemLane Departure

Side Object Detection Indicator failure. This was a recall in 2019 after my system failed causing the entire electronic dashboard to go black while driving on the highway. I had no indication of speed while driving. Once I pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off, it would not start and needed to be towed. I had it fixed and within months GMC recalled the module kit due to poor design resulting in failure to protect the module from expected weather exposure. The module was replaced in 2019. Again, in 2023, exactly 4 years again, the Side Detection Indicator has failed, due to expected weather exposure which resulted in corrosion. GMC denied replacement because I have already had it replaced. GMC is unable to confirm the module kit placed on my vehicle was an improved design and was the same kit design that has been known to fail. GMC engineers need to reassess for a second recall as the issue is not resolved and could lead to devastating injury or death.

NHTSA ODI 11508737

Dec 26, 2022Electrical systemFire

The electrical wiring started a fire that destroyed the engine compartment. I was in the vehicle and barely escaped injury while pedestrians were walking by and could have been injured when an explosion occurred. GEICO is now investigating the incident. A Service Battery Charging System warning light displayed on the dashboard and heavy smoke began to emit from the engine compartment then, a small fire started and escalated to a full and life threatening condition.

NHTSA ODI 11498836

Mar 25, 2021Electrical system

IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO THE CAR RADIO HAS SHORTED OUT. IT EFFECTS THE SOUND TO THE BLINKER AS WELL AS TO THE RADIO. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT MAY HAVE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. IS THIS COVERED UNDER ANY KIND OF RECALL. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE WHOLE DASH COULD BE EFFECTED AND MY CAR JUST STOP RUNNING. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS SHORTING OUT. THE VEHICLE RUNS BUT AM VERY LEARY ABOUT TAKING IT ON A LONG TRIP. WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SAYS THERE IS A MONTH WAIT!

NHTSA ODI 11404853

Jan 5, 2021Electrical systemLights

THE ISSUE STARTED WITH MY BACK HATCH OPENING ON ITS OWN AT RANDOM TIMES. FOUND OUT THIS WAS CAUSED BY WATER ENTERING THE LIFT SWITCH. THAT PROBLEM LEAD TO THE BATTERY EVENTUALLY GOING BAD AND THEN THE HEADLIGHTS BEING BLOWN DUE THE BAD BATTERY. NOT SURE HOW WATER GOT IN THE BACK HATCH RUINING THE SENSOR BUT THIS IS COSTING ME ABOUT $1000 TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11386658

Oct 12, 2020Electrical systemEngine

I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR THREE MONTHS AGO, THE A/C IS NO LONGER BLOWING COLD AIR. THE AIR BLOWS BUT NOT COLD AND THE HEAT WORKS JUST FINE. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS..

NHTSA ODI 11363946

Jul 21, 2020Electrical system

WATER IS GETTING INTO THE REAR DOORS AND IT ENTERING THE WIRING HARNESS LOCATED ON BOTH DOORS SHORTING OUT THE RADIO, THE AMP AND THE TURN SIGNALS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS ONLINE IT IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI 11340630

Jun 27, 2020Electrical system

WATER IS COLLECTED WHERE THE AMPS ARE LOCATED NEAR THE DOOR HINGES AND SHORTS THEM OUT. NOTHING THAT HAS A SOUND WORKS AFTER THAT. SO NO RADIO, BACK UP SENSOR SOUNDS, SEAT BELT REMINDERS, BLINKERS, CELL PHONE SPEAKERS, ETC. COSTS ABOUT $1000 TO GET FIXED AND WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE OF FAULTY DRAINAGE. IT HAPPENED AFTER RAINING FOR A COUPLE DAYS. CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND THE SOUND HAS NEVER COME BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331198

May 14, 2020Electrical system

I HAVE A 2015 GMC ACADIA, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MODULE TO THE SIDE MIRROR SAFETY LIGHTS TWICE. IT HAS RECENTLY GONE OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE WIRING IS SHORTING OUT CAUSING THE MODULE TO GO OUT AND THE CAR TO NOT RUN. GMC HAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE UNDER 80,000 MILES. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 127,000.00 MILES BECAUSE I DRIVE IT A LOT FOR WORK. I CONTACTED GMC AND EXPLAINED THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED AGAIN SO I HAVE NO SAFETY MODULE FOR THE SIDE MIRROR OR PARK ASSIST. GMC KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS FIXED ONCE UNDER 80,000 MILES, AGAIN UNDER 100,000 MILES AND NOW AT 127,000 IT IS SHORTING OUT CAUSING ISSUES WITH THE CAR TO START AND EVEN WITH DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE CAR UNDER RECALL. IF GMC WILL NOT FIX THEIR SAFETY ISSUES THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MARKER THESE AS SAFETY FEATURES ON THE CAR, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND CHOSE NOT TO FIX THE, *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324551

May 5, 2020Electrical systemBody & structure

REAR DEFROSTER STARTED EMITTING SMOKE, OVERHEATED AND CRACKED REAR WINDSHIELD. PLEASE SEE EXISTING RECALL N192220470. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE NOT LOCATED IN CANADA, CAN ASSURE YOU THIS IS HAPPENING IN UNITED STATES AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323338

Apr 22, 2020Electrical systemAirbags

SIDE BLIND ZONE SENSORS FAIL DUE TO WATER INTRUSION - WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT (#N172097060) WAS ISSUED TO REPAIR THIS HOWEVER NOT ALL VEHICLES ARE COVERED IN THE SCA VIN SEARCH - AND ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED. MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE VIN SEARCH AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THE SCA. THE DAY AFTER THE INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC AND AWAITING THE PART FOR REPAIR I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO THE CORRUPTION OF THE SENSOR. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS SITUATION UNTIL AFTER I RESEARCHED THE SCA. THIS CORRUPTION IS NOTED IN THE SCA, HOWEVER IT ONLY STATES PART OF THE ISSUES YOU MAY SEE. DURING THE SHUTDOWN I WAS LUCKILY NOT IN MOTION, HOWEVER, THE CORRUPTION OF THE GMLAN CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DISABLE, PASSENGER AIRBAG PRESENCE DETECTION TURNED OFF, TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MONITORS WERE DISABLED, THE ENTIRE DIC SHUT DOWN, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHUT DOWN, RADIO AND INFOTAINMENT CENTER SHUT DOWN, DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN, POWER BRAKES SHUT DOWN, WINDOWS WERE DISABLED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THERE IS NO PROTECTION BETWEEN THE SENSORS FOR ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE AND THE GM LAN. A SENSOR SHOULD NOT CAUSE THESE ISSUES, HOWEVER IT DOES, AND IT WAS ALSO NOTED IN THE SCA. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE MALFUNCTIONING SENSORS ALSO CAUSE A POWER DRAIN ON THE BATTERY, PRIOR TO THE DIC REPORTING THE SENSOR FAILURE, WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. GM HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE WIDESPREAD ISSUE OF THESE FAULTY SENSORS OUTSIDE THE SCA, NOR THE SAFETY HAZARDS OF THE LACK OF PROTECTION ON THE GM LAN CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE. IF THE VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED, THE SENSORS COULD CAUSE CORRUPTION IN THE GMLAN SIMILAR TO THE WATER INTRUSION ISSUE - RENDERING THE FRONT AIRBAGS INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11321954

Dec 20, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE THANKFULLY DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE ON THE INTERSTATE IN ST. LOUIS MY STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON THE TRUCK THEN SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN THEN WENT INTO FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE THEN REVVED UP TO 6000 RPMS THEN EVERY SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON ON THE DASH WHEN PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR THEN WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD IT STAYED IN NEUTRAL REGARDLESS OF GEARSHIFTING IT THEN BEGAN TO CYCLE THROUGH ALL OF THE SERVICE REQUEST FOR THE VEHICLE. AFTER HAVING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS THREE HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE THEY INFORMED ME THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE POWER STEERING CONTROL GEARBOX HAD WENT OUT AND FRIED ALL THE ELECTRICAL'S INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 39,000 MILES AFTER CONTACTING GMC THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ON A RECALL LIST FOR MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION IN 2018 IN SEPTEMBER. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING IF REQUESTED. I JUST WANTED TO DOCUMENT AND FILE A COMPLAINT SO THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK , SINCE GMC HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THIS SERIOUS OF AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11290421

Nov 10, 2019Electrical systemEngineVisibility & wipers

WHEN YOU TURN TRACTION CONTROL ON THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WILL NOT COME OUT. PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP FROM DRIVER CONTROL. TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM HAS BEEN OUT FOR TIME. THIS CAR IS NOT THAT OLD FOR IT TO HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES

NHTSA ODI 11279286

Aug 8, 2019Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ARNIE BAUER BUICK GMC (5525 MILLER CIRCLE DRIVE, MATTESON, IL 60443) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLIND SIDE ALERT WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 5410777277. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,386. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11242511

Aug 4, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

A FEW DAYS BEFORE MY GIRLFRIEND LEFT WITH THE SUV OUT OF STATE I NOTICED THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK (ONLY ON THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR) WAS BACK TO MANUAL. THAN THE SAME DAY OF TRIP IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT ON HER WAY BACK SHE CALLED ME TO SAY THE LIGHT CAME ON FOR SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND TRAC. CONTROL OFF. IT WAS ALSO EFFECTING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT JERK WHILE GOING OVER 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD. AFTER RESET JT WAS FINE, BUT VERY ALARMING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS SUV FOR YEARS TO COME KNOWING IT COULD POP UP AND SAFETY ISSUE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS NEEDS TO B ADDRESSED ASAP! SOUNDS LIKE A GROUND ISSUE. SUV IS 4 YEARS OLD, AND RUST AND CORROSION FREE. MAYBE GM MADE AN ERROR WITH INTERIOR MOUNTED MODULES. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS COMING OUT OF A SLOWING TRAFFIC AREA ON HIGHWAY AT THE TIME (CONSTRUCTION ZONE) WHEN TRING TO CATCH BACK UP TO SPEED THE VEHICLE REDUCED POWER. (LIMP MODE) THIS SEEMS TO B A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11241625

Jun 15, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING COMES ON WHEN DRIVER SEAT IS MOVED.

NHTSA ODI 11220336

Feb 11, 2019Electrical systemEngine

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

NHTSA ODI 11176147

Feb 8, 2019Electrical system

THE ACADIA HAS SIDE DETECTION SENSOR ISSUES RELATED TO POOR DESIGN AND/OR THE ELEMENTS (GM SERVICE TEAMS WORDS NOT MINE). IF THIS IS TRUE, AM I, AS THE CUSTOMER SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR THE BAD ENGINEERING DECISIONS MADE BY GM ENGINEERS? OR IF THE SENSORS FAILED DUE TO THE ELEMENTS, AM I NOT TO DRIVE MY AWD ACADIA OUTSIDE? I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ON WHY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REPAIR COST FALLS ON MY SHOULDERS WITH THE ABOVE-MENTIONED BEING THE ROOT CAUSES. JODY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONALLY TOLD ME THAT THE SENSORS WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 1 TO 2 YEARS AT A COST OF $1,200 PER TIME, AND BECAUSE OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE EVENTUALLY GIVEN UP AND TRADED IN THEIR VEHICLES (I CAN'T SAY I BLAME THEM). I'VE BEEN A TRIED AND TRUE CHEVY/GMC FAN, BUT THAT KIND OF CUSTOMER CARE HAS SWAYED MY OPINION. I'VE REACHED OUT TO GM CORPORATE, BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL EITHER. THE LACK OF SUPPORT ON A 3-YEAR-OLD $55,000 VEHICLE IS ASTONISHING.

NHTSA ODI 11175700

Feb 4, 2019Electrical system

THERE IS A DEFECT IN WHICH WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND GETS INTO THE FUSE BOX AND CAUSES ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH, DAMAGE TO THE FUSES, DRAINING THE BATTERY ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11173859

Aug 8, 2018Electrical system

BOUGHT CAR 10-11 DAYS AGO USED. 35K MILES. SMELLED LIKE BRAKES WERE LEFT ON. STOPPED AND CHECKED. NOTHING. AC QUIT

NHTSA ODI 11118507

Jul 29, 2018Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

BOTH LED BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. IF YOU TAP THEM THEY WOK FOR A MINUTE BUT WHEN DRIVING THEY GO OUT AGAIN. THE SEAT VIBRATES TO ALERT YOU OF OBSTACLES BUT THE MOTOR IN THE SEAT ONLY WORK PERIODICALLY. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER HAS FAILED. THE YUKON HAS BEEN DRIVEN 3 YEARS AND 50K MI AND NOW NEEDS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS USED.

NHTSA ODI 11114352

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Working with the data? Download all 260 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 2015 GMC Acadia Limited verdict →