What 639 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 GMC Acadia Denali

Vehicle will randomly drop into a lower gear which causes the engine to rev up, then a warning light comes on indicating that the steering assist and ABS system are offline. Not what you want to have happen when driving 70MPH on the highway. Problem has been ongoing for ytears and GMC insists it is a transmission problem but another thing I have noticed whenever it happens is that the battery voltage increases. Seems like GMC shipped these cars with weak alternators which would explain the myriad electrical problems this vehicle and others like it have had.

NHTSA ODI 11529431

Shift to park issue, car wont recognize its in park and wont turn off unless you shake the gear shifter around to get it to realize its in park. Parking break issue as well, "service parking break" error popped up on my screen now I can no longer turn it on.

NHTSA ODI 11522080

I get a "service side detection" on my DIC. It used to work occasionally, now it no longer works. The sensors lights do come on when the "service side detection" shows up. Sometimes this alerts comes and goes and sometimes it stays until I push a button, in which it just reappears later. Through research I found this document sent out from GM: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10160088-9999.pdf GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5011 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Subject: N172097060 - Special Coverage Side Blind Zone Alert Module Water Intrusion General Motors is releasing Special Coverage N172097060 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 131,652. Please see the attached bulletin for details. Condition: Some 2013-2016 model year Chevrolet Cruze, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala and 2013-2017 GMC Acadia vehicles, may have a condition where the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) modules may fail or malfunction due to water intrusion. The driver may experience a side blind zone alert message displayed on the driver instrument cluster (DIC). If this message is ignored, the condition could result in the corruption of LS GMLAN that may result in the loss of some driver interface functions such as cluster, infotainment / displays, chime, and passenger presence detection (passenger airbag could be suppressed, w/airbag TT, DIC message). MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN!! Special Coverage Adjustment: This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 6 years or 80,000 miles (130,000 km) whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. CORRECTION: Dealers are to repair the vehicle by ordering and installing the appropriate service kit. The service kit will contain all of the components required to complete the repair. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. PROBLEM: MY CAR HAS A BRANDED TITLE SO THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. IF IT IS A RECALL, THEY HAVE TO.

NHTSA ODI 11515410

The "shift into park" when car is in park. U have to click the gear shifter several times for ut to turn off. Sometimes even having to put the car back into gear putting it back into park and the error will come up again. By clicking the gear shifter will shut it off. Sometimes this could take 2 minutes playing around with it sometimes 10 minutes sometimes it doesn't do it at all. I finally replaced the entire gear shifter mechanism by taking the center council apart. Labor price was unreal. Part price wasn't bad.

NHTSA ODI 11513196

Shift to park message appears and unable to lock doors.

NHTSA ODI 11511348

I put the car in park and the push button start would not let me turn off my car. I sat in the parking lot almost 30 min, putting my car in park, then drive, then park for my car to recognize its actually in park to turn off. I started getting this error on the start and stop at lights... it never turned off during the start and stop but fearing my life or my families life.... I took it to my local GMC dealership and the manager from the Service department said this is a common issue with this model, he has repaired HUNDREDS of them. His words. This is a safety issue.... I am shocked this has not been recalled. The lack of urgency to get this fixed is very concerning. It costs my $708.92 to fix this issue. I 100% think i am owed this money due to something that should 100% be recalled. I found an open class action lawsuit that was confirmed by the dealership to be the exact same issue I had. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/auto-news/gmc-class-action-alleges-acadia-shift-to-park-defect/

NHTSA ODI 11509369

1. COULD NOT PUT CAR INTO PARK OR TURN OFF. CAUSED BATTERY TO BE DEAD AS IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN PUT INTO PARK. 2. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND JERKED REPEATEDLY. COULD NOT TURN INTO PARKING SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND COULD NOT STOP THE JERK. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY ! 3. AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD. IT IS AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO LIGHTS AT ALL. IT IS DANGEROUS TO NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT BECAUSE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE APPROPRIATE LIGHTING.

NHTSA ODI 11502724

GM put out notice in April 2019 stating side blind zone alert message due to water intrusion May cause issue with driver interface functions. Do not take your vehicle to dealership unless you believe there is a problem. Reimbursement by 4/30/2020 6 years 80,000 miles. Vehicle stopped working while parked in driveway. No start, no cranking, warning lights for security lock out, side crash detection, tire monitoring service and airbags displayed. Dome light for front door did not work while second row lights did work. Lift gate would not open. When stating issues to dealer prior to service were told they had not heard of anything that would stop a cars engine from functioning. Dealership repair stated this was due to rear blind side detection module and that the module shorted out cause all other circuits to go to ground, yet no fuses were blown. Starter fuse and relays were good. I asked dealer if this could have caused my car to stop while driving and they answered yes. Have corroded module and wire loom referee to as kit. Was told no way to circumvent system other than replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11501399

Shift to park error code along with several other error codes including no remote detected that have continually and intermittentantly appeared since my car was at 16 K miles. My car has been in the shop over 10 times and these problems continue to return. my car won't shut off correctly, and this drains the battery. On 2 different occasions I was locked inside my car, unable to start it. Both of those times the outside temperature was over 100 degrees, and I almost had to break my window to exit and survive. I frantically pushed several buttons, trying to start the car, and luckily something tripped so I could open my car. The dealership replaced my battery twice before 31 K miles. They have replaced 2 different fobs when the car didn't recognize them. The dealership has replaced the transmission control assembly, the body control module, the fuel injector, the immobolizer control module, the brake control module, and my car has currently been in the shop for over 3 weeks as they may also need to replace the instrument control module and HVAC module due to those error codes. My car is at 46 K miles and has been in the shop 3 different times since 39 K (less than 10 K miles) all for similar problems. Thankfully I bought the extended warranty that will expire in 2 years. Something is draining the battery and GMC cannot or will not address the problem. There are similar documented cases: https://lemonlawexperts.com/gm-shift-to-park-recall-update/#:~:text=According%20to%20NHTSA%2C%20GM%20has,several%20model%20year%20Acadia%20vehicles. and https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/05/gmc-acadia-shift-to-park-class-action-lawsuit-filed-in-texas/ Please help to make GMC resolve this complicated problem! I now keep a tool in my car to break a window if I ever get locked in. I also keep my AAA membership active as I have had to get my car jumped several times. I do have videos of the problem, but cannot send a MP4 file.

NHTSA ODI 11500683

P0128 Apparently what happens when the temp sensor on the T-Stat housing goes bad it sends a signal to the ECM that the engine is overheating, causes the temp gauge to peg to "C", shuts down A/C Compressor Clutch engagement to not exacerbate the Overheat condition and super speeds the cooling fans. Of course it's a false flag warning and the engine isn't actually running hot. At the same time a signal to the ECM also tells the Power Steering Rack that it's Super Cold out and the lube in the steering system may freeze up causing loss of steering assist. NHTSA 17-NA-158 - MAY 2017 Needed to have Thermostat and Temperature sensor replaced. Was quoted by two dealers $1400-$1700. Very deceiving for GM to have SEVERAL "tech bulletins" advising their techs how to properly diagnose this common "error"... but it's not a recall so they won't foot the bill for what is clearly a defect. Car has only 59,400 / 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain

NHTSA ODI 11498802

My vehicle has serious issues that from my research seem to be a common problem/manufacturer defect experienced by other owners of this model. I believe the defect/issue is an electrical problem. While driving, the vehicle will often have problems using it's automatic transmission. It ranges from "rough" shifting (where the car jerks while shifting gears) to situation where the vehicle fails to shift gears completely leading to the RPMs shooting up. The cars power steering and traction control system also simultaneously fail. This leads to a dangerous situation when on highways etc This issue simultaneously causes all of the warning lights on the dashboard to light up while displaying the following messages on screen "Service stabilitrak" & "steering assist reduced -drive with care" & "service brake assist" & "service parking brake". The gauges also stop responding/reflecting accurate info when this happens. I have a video of what this all looks like. This has been on ongoing intermittent problem pretty much for the entire life of the vehicle. GMC informed me that they had never heard of this when I inquired about it a dealership but searching online makes it incredibly clear that this is an extremely widespread issue that they are aware of. I have also attached a file that has a list of all error codes detected by me for this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11497608

Vehicle went on fire in or near the engine compartment - the entire front end was burned and car is a total loss. I was in the vehicle driving home with my children (a 5 min drive from their school) and we smelled what we assumed was a a fire pit or fireplace burning nearby; we got out of the vehicle, within 90 seconds there were flames coming out of the hood. Car was well maintained and received nearly all service at the RVC GMC dealership it was purchased from. Vehicle was also still under the warranty we purchased.

NHTSA ODI 11496939

I brought this car from STOOPS and have been having this same issue since I received this car in March of 2021. Check engine came on within two weeks of me getting this car. The Intake air pressure measurement system MAP sensor and MAF sensor on my 2017 GMC Acadia which is causing other issues. My car is only at 100k mikes and I shouldnt be having the same issue. The MAP sensor was replaced in July of 2021. Here it is a year later and my check engine light keeps coming on and saying the same thing which is causing all these other issues to happen such as steering power system reduced which driving. Notifications about of transmission and engine issues because of Intake Air Pressure Measurement System. Every time I take it to stoops they have it for a couple days and I’m out of a car which means no transportation for work and within 10 days after I get it back the same issue appears. The car sounds like it’s going to shut off at any given time I’m driving. It shutters while at a light or in a restaurant line. It drives smooth but when I shut the car off it makes a whiny noise sometimes. I don’t feel safe driving myself and my kids in the car when different things come up all because of this intake air pressure measurement system issue

NHTSA ODI 11493253

When trying to place the vehicle in "PARK" the message is displayed to "SHIFT TO PARK". The shift lever is in the park position, but the vehicle CANNOT BE TURNED OFF while this message is displayed. The shift lever has to be moved back and forth multiple times, sometimes for several minutes before allowing you to safely shut down the vehicle and exit. This is a known issue for GMC vehicles, yet they tell me that my VIN doesn't show the vehicle is eligible for a recall for this exact issue.

NHTSA ODI 11492568

Shift to park comes on intermittently while in park and turning off engine. Unable to completely shut car off as it does not recognize it is in park. Battery will drain and car may roll.

NHTSA ODI 11486553

This Car, 2017GMC Acadia, started showing up on many occasions; and is getting worse. I park the car and put it into park. when I try to turn off the engine, a message shows up on the display SHIFT CAR INTO PARK. the car is in park, and I cannot shut off the engine, due to this message. The car IS in park, and the message tells me it is not. AND I CANNOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I have to leave the car engine running until I try shifting gear shift back and forth multiple times and bingo sometimes the message goes away. Something is wrong here.

NHTSA ODI 11483811

The 2017 GMC Acadia has a known problem when shifting to park. The computer system does not acknowledge the vehicle is in park. It requires numerous ways to get the vehicle to acknowledge it is in park and shut off: 1) Turn the motor on and off and shift from drive to park continuously until acknowledged in park and shuts off (waste of time, gas, and effect on the starter and ignition) 2) Bang down on the console shift knob 3) Pray This is a known problem with Acadia 2017 and 2018. Why has this issue not been addressed for a forced recall by GMC. If you take it to the dealer to fix it is very expensive and their original problem. this is a safety issue shifting from drive to park continuously when stopped. This is not good to have to do especially for senior citizens who might inadvertently drive forward or in reverse when simply trying to stop.

NHTSA ODI 11480114

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the key fob was inoperable. The vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle spontaneously locked. The contact was able to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was taken four times to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the side blind spot module needed to be repaired. Additionally, the inter system malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,538.

NHTSA ODI 11460890

When vehicle trying to shift vehicle into park error message occurs stating 'shift to park' prior to being able to turn off vehicle. Happens multiple times with same error message even when you believe you have the car in park it's difficult to believe that or take the risk of it not being in park and an accident happening

NHTSA ODI 11454356

side detection modules swollen causing failure, repair $735.97.

NHTSA ODI 11453567

I don’t know what is going on with it. I have had it in and out of the shop. My car will randomly throw the parking break on and completely lock my car up. There is no reason why it should be on. The dealership thought it could be the systems needing a update but that didn’t fix it. It’s a real big safety issue and needs to be looked into. It just did it to me crossing over rail road tracks and I couldn’t go anywhere until it decided to unlock.

NHTSA ODI 11453308

Transmission gear shifter displays shift to park error message, so that I can't turn off the vehicle. Vehicle stays active when you try to get out and won't lock.

NHTSA ODI 11449824

Previous complaint of Shift to Park on 06/13/19 VOQ 11219862 at mileage 36270. On 12/5/21, approx miles 62099 same problem with Shift to Park. Was scheduled for service on 12/06/21 at Adams Buick GMC in Richmond, KY and mentioned the problem and previous complaint. Was told that it had been over a year ago but that they could fix it and charge me $152 for part & $315 for labor. It was less that 26000 miles driven since the last issue. After last complaint, the dealer contacted GMC and the part was replaced at no cost under bulletin for concern # 5 145420 and they replaced the transmission control assembly. This is an ongoing problem with GMC and I don't think that every 26000 miles I should have to pay to replace the same part when GMC knows it is a problem by the numerous complaints. In fact while I was getting my vehicle serviced, I spoke to another lady there who had the same problem with her vehicle. Had I not caught the message, I probably would have had to replace my battery or my vehicle could have rolled into the house. There were no warning lamps or messages prior. GMC needs to step up to the plate and issue a recall because they have numerous vehicles with the same problem. My vehicle has undergone this malfunction twice and I find it unacceptable and know that I can't afford to pay $467 every 26000 miles for an issue that GMC is clearly aware of but won't address because no one has been killed by the issue as of this date to my knowledge, but it's going to happen sooner or later if the issue is not addressed properly.

NHTSA ODI 11443058

Vehicle is a 2017 Acadia Denali with ~39,000 miles. The problem started without any symptoms or warnings in October 2021. The dash gives a "Shift to Park" message when the shift is moved to the Park position and the driver attempts (to turn all systems off so as) to park and exit the vehicle. When the Off button is pushed, the "Shift to Park" message displays. The engine does turn off, but the lighting, radio, etc. stay on. When opening the door, the vehicle emits tone(s) suggesting the driver is trying to leave the vehicle while it's running and/or has left electrical systems on. Driver is actually attempting to simply turn everything off and park the vehicle. The fact that all the lighting and radio stay on runs down the battery, potentially leaving the driver stranded.

NHTSA ODI 11443003

Shift to park light came on when I parked. As I parked, the break pad locked and I could not release it. The shifter locked and I could not release it. It Would not let me turn vehicle off. I had to experiment on how to get error message to stop and breaks to unlock so I did result to jiggling the shifter And put car in reverse then in drive and park again and trying to turn off (after doing this atleast 4 times) eventually it unlocked and let me turn car off without getting this error message. This happened 2 years prior and I had my 1 yr old in car with me panicking bc I couldn’t drive my car for a bit until the mechanism decided to start working again. This time I knew how to fix it better bc it had happened 2 yrs prior so I knew to wiggle the shifter and try to put it back in drive etc to eventually get car to shut off. There’s records of this shift to park being fixed in 2019 and again in 2021. I should not be responsible for paying ANYTHING for these issues. It is a GMC malfunction. Although mechanical it is a safety concern of mine too!

NHTSA ODI 11423846