Home · 2015 GMC Acadia · Complaints

What 260 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 GMC Acadia

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)

Newest first · 260 complaints · page 1 of 11

Jul 8, 2026Seat belts

the flexible steel cable connecting the seat belt to the seat separated and broke resulting in no way to use the seatbelt/connecting the seat belt to the connector on the seat.

NHTSA ODI 11748965

Jun 10, 2026Seat belts

Drivers side seat belt broke where it connects to floor part. Cable broke. Never have had this to happen in my life!!!

NHTSA ODI 11743111

May 21, 2026Latches & locks

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate was opened, however the tailgate failed to function as intended. The contact noticed an abnormal grinding sound and the tailgate independently closed while the contact was removing packages from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred when using the key to open the tailgate or when opening manually. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed tailgate actuator. The contact was informed that the tailgate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,222.

NHTSA ODI 11739276

May 18, 2026Seat belts

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked he observed the drivers seat belt that the braided steal cable was broken and the seat belt clasp was barley hanging on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drivers seat belt was broke and was hanging off and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was 178,600.

NHTSA ODI 11738470

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

Apr 22, 2026Lane Departure

Issue: Repeated failure of safety‑critical module Description: The Side Blind Zone Alert system on my 2015 GMC Acadia has failed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. The system becomes inoperative and displays “Side Detection System Unavailable.” A local GMC dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failure of the SBZA module due to loss of communication. This failure has occurred repeatedly, approximately every two years, despite prior repairs and replacement of the module at my own expense. This is a safety‑critical driver‑assist feature, and the repeated failure pattern suggests a defect in the design or durability of the module. The system is unreliable and cannot be depended on for safe lane‑change operation. GM Customer Assistance has declined to provide support or escalate the case further, despite the safety implications and documented repeat failures. I am reporting this because the failure affects safe operation of the vehicle and appears to be a recurring defect affecting multiple owners of this model.

NHTSA ODI 11733153

Apr 7, 2026Airbags

The airbag emblem keeps popping up.

NHTSA ODI 11729800

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

Mar 21, 2026Visibility & wipers

Wipers stopped working an it’s not showing an active recall but research shows this model does have wiper blade motor recalls

NHTSA ODI 11726030

Mar 8, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission jerks and shakes the vehicle when shifting in certain conditions.

NHTSA ODI 11722821

Jan 4, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

Torque converter is bad, shudders when shifting

NHTSA ODI 11708680

Oct 29, 2025Lights

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the center taillight was inoperable. The halo light was working as designed and then ceased operating. The headlights also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs and the headlight assembly. The rear signal light was blinking fast, and the light became inoperable. The message that the hood was ajar was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,448.

NHTSA ODI 11696393

Sep 17, 2025AirbagsSeats

I have pictures the seat, the airbag in the seat.The driver's seatIt didn't come through the seat, but it deployed or ruptured.But it didn't bust through the seat.It's like a big bubble. I was just driving and I heard a pop but it didn't come through the seat. It left the lump in the seat. I still think it's dangerous, cuz. It's busted.

NHTSA ODI 11687789

Jul 7, 2025Seat belts

Seatbelts both front stopped tightening upon braking.

NHTSA ODI 11671665

Jun 6, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2015 GM GMC Acadia. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the service air bag warning light illuminated. The contact's wife stated that a hard piece of plastic had detached out of the dashboard above the radio. The contact stated the failure had occurred twice within minutes. Additionally, the air bag deployed and left a hole in the dashboard. The contact's wife was struck on the head by the plastic piece. The contact's wife did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated the GMC database confirmed that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); September 2024, prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,884.

NHTSA ODI 11665340

May 2, 2025Engine

The engine is not shifting properly, and the vehicle loses speed while driving and hesitates to accelerate. At time, it feels as though the car is not moving at all. This issue has occurred on multiple occasions, affecting both me and my family, and has forced us to pull over because the vehicle could barely move forward. This happed once on the highway and almost caused an accident. Additionally, the check engine light remains on at all times.

NHTSA ODI 11658427

Apr 30, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and vibrating while shifting gear, and vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11657751

Apr 29, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11657517

Apr 23, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

Torque converter is going bad, hard shift when going slow then speeding up, stuttering at random times, vibration, hard shifting into reverse. No check engine light. Acadia known for transmission and torque converter problems.

NHTSA ODI 11656415

Apr 1, 2025Airbags

I have been trying to get this recall done for 1 year. I have placed 3 calls over this time and they say the part is on back order. This is dangerous as it is a recall on the driver airbag. A year is too long to wait. Please advise on what can be done. Dealership: GMC Thompson Raleigh, NC

NHTSA ODI 11652128

Feb 14, 2025Airbags

This vehicle has a recall dated back to May of 2023. I have been trying to get the airbag for this recall replaced since then from the GMC dealership we purchased the vehicle from to no avail. I have been on the wait/call list since the recall date and still haven’t heard that my part is ready to be replaced. The airbags on our GMC Sierra were replaced so I do not understand why the long wait on the Acadia. I worry that if we do get into an accident, we will be badly hurt or killed if the airbags go off. The time frame to get this remedied is unacceptable.

NHTSA ODI 11642679

Dec 20, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Check engine light is on. Shudder and delayed reaction after engaging the gas pedal when moving forward in gear 1 & 2 then again seems to intermittently has issue with higher gears when on the hwy. Without warning, Several times the Acadia would not engage gears and wouldn't move at all after backing into the street from driveway. I had to have someone help push the Acadia back into the driveway. The Check Engine light keeps turning on and off. Had O'Riely check th OBD with code reader. "Torque Converter Selenoid is stuck 'ON'. Was informed by Costco there was n 2020 Recall for Acadia"s of my year regarding a Transmission recall Ref #N202313440.

NHTSA ODI 11631722

Dec 7, 2024Airbags

no incident yet but i have contacted gm several times to come to my home and complete the repair as there website states they will , parts are available but they refused to come out and fix this faulty airbag i . cannot get to dealer myself because of health issues. just letting you know in case my airbag explodes and im not here to tell.

NHTSA ODI 11629371

Aug 27, 2024AirbagsEngineLane DepartureCrash1 injury

I was curious about recalls because I totaled my 15 Acadia SLT2 and when I hit the impact didn’t deploy airbags and I had no idea until after my accident that they were recalled!!! This incident totaled my Acadia caused my face to be slammed into my steering wheel, cutting me in 2 places and shattering my eye glasses. I now have a scar that looks like a 2nd chin from my impact to hitting the steering column! What should I do? I wasn’t or hadn’t received anything from GMC about this recall until recently and damage has already been done and I’m at a loss of tremendous amounts because my air bags could have saved $300+ glasses and doctors appointments etc…

NHTSA ODI 11611112

Aug 20, 2024Airbags

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11609639

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Working with the data? Download all 260 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 verdict →