Home · 2019 GMC Acadia Limited · Complaints

What 374 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 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 (374)Crash / fire / injury (8)Transmission & drivetrain (150)Electrical system (103)Engine (47)Steering (30)Brakes (16)Lights (10)Driver assistance (6)Lane Departure (6)Engine & cooling (5)Suspension (5)

Newest first · 374 complaints · page 15 of 15

Oct 24, 2020Brakes

AFTER JUMP STARTING CAR BECAUSE OF DEAD BATTERY DECIDED TO DRIVE TO DEALER 1-2 MILES AWA.Y. MY WIFE FOLLOWED ME IN CAR. WHILE DRIVING DURING THE 1-2 MILE TRIP THE STEARING WOULD LOCK UP (QUIT WORKING) AND THE BREAKS AS WELL.THIS LASTED SEVERAL SECONDS AND RESULTED IN TOTAL LACK OF CONTROL AT 35-45 MPH ON A CITY STREET. THE ALTERNATOR WAS WORKING PROVIDING ELECTRICITY TO THE CARS SYSTEMS. AS BATTERIES FREQUENTLY FAIL I BELIEVE THIS IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANT AND OTHER VEHICALS ON THE ROAD.THIS OCCURRED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2020

NHTSA ODI 11366141

Aug 17, 2020Brakes

GETTING A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. IT WON'T LET YOU DO ANYTHING LOCK THE CAR, BELLS GOING OFF, NOTHING AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES 20 MINUTES OR LONGER TO KEEP TRYING TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK.IT WOULD DO IT EVERYTIME I GO TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11349802

Jul 24, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody & structureEngineDriver assistance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RANCHO GRANDE MOTORS LOCATED AT 1404 AUTO PARK WAY, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS COMMON WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES. THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DVD WOULD TURN ON IT. THE DEALER STATED IT COULD BE DUE TO A MISSING REMOTE THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEADREST DVD PLAYER DO NOT PLAY THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. THE WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER WAS OFTEN INOPERABLE. THE SECOND GEAR DOES THE NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE DASH AND RADIO PERIODICALLY LOSE POWER. THE WINDOWS MAKE A LOUD OBNOXIOUS NOISE WHEN ROLLED DOWN. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11341276

Jul 22, 2020

I HAVE HAD FADING ON THE PLASTIC AROUND THE WHEEL WELL, THE HEAT WILL CHANGE TO COOL AIR WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANYONE CHANGING IT. THE A/C WILL GO FULL BLAST ON IT'S OWN AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CHANGE THE FAN SPEED WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME IT WILL ADJUST ITSELF BY 10 DEGREES, NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THE FADING PART THEY JUST PAINTED OVER IT AND THAT WAS THE FIX. THERE ARE LINES IN IT NOW AND THEY DID NOT PAINT THE ENTIRE PIECE SO IT DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT. THIS CAR IS PARKED INSIDE WHEN HOME, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP WAY TOO MUCH SINCE I BOUGHT IT WITH DENTS HAPPENING ON PARTS ALL OVER. I DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK MOSTLY. 2 DENTS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE DEALER LOT WHEN THEY HAD IT OUTSIDE WAITING ON REPAIRS. WOULD NOT BUY IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11341014

May 28, 2020Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT, HE WAS UNABLE TO VIEW ANY OBJECTS SUCH AS ANOTHER VEHICLE NEARBY DUE TO STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER JIM HARDMAN BUICK GMC, INC. LOCATED AT 1592 BROWNS BRIDGE RD, GAINESVILLE, GA 30501 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 11326362

May 27, 2020Electrical systemSeat belts

I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE SHIFTER OF THE VEHICLE TWICE NOW AND IT HAS RESULTED IN REPLACING THE SHIFTER AT LEAST ONCE. 6 MONTHS LATER AND AFTER AN INITIAL REPLACEMENT THE SHIFTER HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. THE SHIFTER REFUSES TO MOVE OUT OF THE PARK FUNCTION. PRIOR TO THE SHIFTER GOING OUT THE CAR WOULD SAY SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ALREADY PLACED IN PARK. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN THE SECOND ROW OF THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326167

May 27, 2020Engine

AT 500 MILES PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION THE RADIATOR DEVELOPED A CRACK ALONG THE TOP SEAM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD. GMC DECLINED TO REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT WAS 500 MILES PAST THE WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT DENY IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE A GMC CASE NUMBER DOCUMENTING MY DEALINGS WITH THEM. I HAVE PHOTOS FROM THE DEALERSHIP SHOWING THE CRACKED RADIATOR, AS WELL AS AN EMAIL STATING IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE THE RECEIPT AND I HAVE THE ACTUAL RADIATOR ITSELF. I NOTICED THE RADIATOR LEAKING ON MY GARAGE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS STATIONARY. THIS WAS 10 DAYS AFTER IT WAS LAST SERVICED AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE AT THAT TIME. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY IMPACT, BUT JUST THAT THE SEAM SPLIT AT THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11326215

May 14, 2020

SHIFT TO PARK . MY VEHICLE TELLS ME SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK WHEN IT IS . I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL. THIS IS MY GOING TO BE THE THIRD TIME THEY FIX IT . THIS VEHICLE CARRIES MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WORK ON A DAILY BASIS , I DON'T FEEL VERY SAFE DRIVING MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE . *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324507

May 8, 2020Brakes

MY 2019 GMC ACADIA HAS ABRUPTLY AUTOMATICALLY BRAKED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10- 15 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY CARS NEAR THE VEHICLE. IT SLAMS ON THE BRAKE LIKE IT'S THE PARKING BRAKE AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE.. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. AFTER THE 1ST TIME THE SERVICE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS RELATED TO A FAULTY BATTERY BECAUSE I RECEIVED AN ONSTAR NOTICE ABOUT MY BATTERY. . IT OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER HAVING THE BATTERY REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323873

Feb 28, 2020Engine

CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THIS HAPPENING

NHTSA ODI 11312115

Feb 27, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2019 ACADIA KEEPS BEEPING WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND I SHIFT IT OFF WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK'. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND BACK INTO PARK. I AM NOW DOING THIS 10 TIMES OR MORE. I CALLED THE DEALER AFTER RESEARCHING THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM. BY STARTING AND TURNING OFF MY 10 TIMES I AM PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE STARTER. I AM AFRAID THE CAR WILL ROLL WHEN IT'S OFF WITH THIS ERROR MESSAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11311870

Feb 12, 2020Electrical system

WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK I GET A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE I CAN TURN CAR OFF

NHTSA ODI 11308779

Jan 20, 2020Electronic Stability Control (esc)

9 DAYS AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF MY 2019 ACADIA, WITH LESS THAN 900 MILES ON IT, IT STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME I HAD A PROBLEM I HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE TRUCK TO RUN INTO A STORE. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT I WAS GETTING A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE ELECTRIC WAS ON, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW DRIVER GOT THE TRUCK STARTED AND ADVISED ME TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER LESS THAN 1 MILE AWAY. WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND STABILTRAK, MAKING IT FEEL LIKE I LOST MY BRAKES. MY EXPERIENCE AT THE DEALER WAS HORRIBLE. THEY CHANGED MY BATTERY AND SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT 24 HOURS BEFORE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ELECTRIC WAS ON BUT THE TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING. I WAS GETTING A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE TRUCK WAS OFF AND PARKED BUT THE DASHBOARD WAS SHOWING D THEN P AGAIN. I CALLED FOR ANOTHER TOW, AND THIS TIME IT WAS ACTUALLY TOWED. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT HAD TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER. SERVICE FIXED IT AND HELD ONTO THE TRUCK FOR A FEW DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT CONTINUED WORKING WITHOUT PROBLEMS. 6 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED ME TO PICK IT UP AND IT DIDN'T EVEN MAKE 5 HOURS THIS TIME. THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING THIS TIME, BUT THE ELECTRIC WAS GOING CRAZY. EVERY LIGHT WAS LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. AS I WAS DRIVING IT TO THE DEALER, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS GOING CRAZY. I WAS DRIVING STEADY AT AROUND 35 MPH AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS SHOWING 1, 0, 5, 0, 30, 31, 6, 0, 5, 31, 32, 1, 0, 5, 0. (I HAVE A VIDEO OF THIS BUT CANNOT ATTACH IT).SO THAT WAS 55 DAYS AGO AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY TRUCK BACK BECAUSE GM IS SUPPOSEDLY BUYING IT BACK. I HAVE CONCERNS SEEING 4 OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM ALONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11300410

Jan 7, 2020Lights

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT ON LOW BEAM, AND THE HIGH BEAM MAKES VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE. IT IS WORSE WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET. WHEN YOU PUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON, THE LIGHTS DO NOT SEEM TO GET ANY BRIGHTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GMC DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THE HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK. IF THAT IS THE CASE, IT IS A POOR DESIGN AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW,

NHTSA ODI 11297673

Jan 6, 2020Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT DISPLAYS A MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK,' EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK. IT DOESN'T ALLOW THE CAR TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, BUT THE ELECTRICAL STAYS ON. WHEN WE TRY TO DRIVE IT, IT IS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS SHOOT TO 4 AND DON'T GO DOWN UNLESS BREAKING. FINALLY THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 55MPH AND THE RPMS STAY AT 4, WITH THE ENGINE BEING VERY NOISY. THIS LEFT US STRANDED AN HOUR FROM OUR HOUSE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT. WE DROVE A FEW MILES TO TRY TO GET TO OUR DEALERSHIP, BUT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11297481

Dec 7, 2019Fuel system

WE BOUGHT OUR 2019 ACADIA WITH 4 MILES ON IT. JUST LAST WEEKEND, THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED KEEPING AN INACCURATE ACCOUNT OF OUR FUEL LEVEL INCLUDING MAKING THE LOW FUEL BEEPING TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. WE PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE CAR, AND WE WERE BACK TO HALF A TANK. WHEN I FUELED UP TODAY, THE GAUGE WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY OVER TO FULL AND KEEPS SENDING THE ERROR MESSAGES/BEEPS. IT ONLY HAS 23,770 MILES ON IT. WE'VE NEVER LET IT RUN OUT OF FUEL EITHER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE'S NOT A RECALL ON IT SO I WANTED TO LET OUR PROBLEM BY KNOWN!

NHTSA ODI 11287657

Dec 4, 2019Visibility & wipers

SHIFT TO PARK IS HAPPENING ON THE 2019. WHEN IN PARK, ITS NOT BEING SENSED. KEEPS SAYING SHIFT TO PARK. TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY SAID 1/2 A DAY ON 11/22. TURNS OUT THEY NEED LONGER FOR PART. THEY GAVE LOANER, TODAY IS 12/4/19, STILL DON'T HAVE CAR BACK YET. ALSO, BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER MAKING A CLICKING SOUND.

NHTSA ODI 11286901

Nov 4, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I TRY AND TURN THE CAR OFF IT HAS AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK". THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK AND MESSAGE STILL. NEED TO DO A IGNITION CYCLE TO REMOVE THE CONDITION AND BE ABLE TO TURN IT OFF. THIS CONDITION HAPPENED RANDOMLY, STILL OCCURRING ONE OR TWICE A WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11278048

Sep 13, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I TRY AND TURN THE CAR OFF IT HAS AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK". IT APPEARS THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK BUT I AM UNABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS.

NHTSA ODI 11255290

Aug 13, 2019Lights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BARELY VISIBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE BLACKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN NELSON AUTO GROUP (1100 N GALENA AVE, DIXON, IL 61021, (815) 288-4455) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT PROJECT TOO FAR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE CALL DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11243683

Apr 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFTER CONTROLS IN LOW GEAR ON THE CENTER CONSOLE DO NOT SHIFT. THE MANUAL CONTROL WORKED DURING THE TEST DRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THE CAR HAD 17 MILES ON IT, MARCH 10, 2019. THE SHIFTER FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 500 MILES ON IT, COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ON A HIGHWAY WHEN WE TRIED TO USE THE ENGINE TO BRAKE INSTEAD OF USING THE FOOT BRAKE ON MARCH 30, 2019. IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO DATES ON MARCH 21, 2019, THE CAR HAD A WATER LEAK AFTER IT RAINED THAT DRIPPED INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND DIRECTLY ONTO THE SHIFTER AND OTHER ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. I BELIEVE THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILURE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF WATER DRIPPING ONTO THE SHIFTER AND OTHER ELECTRONICS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. I HAVE 3 DOCUMENTED SERVICE RECORDS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE WATER LEAK AFTER 3 SEPARATE RAINSTORMS THAT WAS ULTIMATELY DETERMINED BY GM ENGINEERING TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. WHEN THE GLASS IS POSITIONED FOR THE REAR MOONROOF, THE POSITIONER IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE GLASS IN PLACE FOR A MOMENT TO SEAL. INSTEAD THE POSITIONER MOVES CREATING AN AIR POCKET. THIS RESULTS IN WATER INTRUSION INTO THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE AFTER RAIN, WHICH THEN SEEPS INTO THE FABRIC LINER AND DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO THE CONTROLS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHERE ELSE WATER HAS TRAVELLED WITHIN THE CAR, KNOWING IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN JULY 2018 AND STORED OUTSIDE MOST OF ITS LIFE. THE SHIFTER IS THE FIRST OF WHAT I FORESEE AS MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT CAN ENSUE WITH WATER INTRUSION, AS IT HAS OCCURRED IN A CAR HAVING UNDER 900 MILES ON IT. WITH ALL ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROLS, I AM WORRIED THAT IF WATER DAMAGED THE LOW GEAR SHIFTING, THERE COULD BE FUTURE AND MORE DETRIMENTAL TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS (POSSIBLY CATASTROPHIC). BEYOND ELECTRICAL FAILURES, MOLD IS A WORRY IN THE HEADLINER AND CARPETS CREATING A HEALTH HAZARD IN MY VEHICLE WHERE I TRANSPORT MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI 11195737

Apr 7, 2019Seat belts

THE SECOND ROW CENTER SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT.

NHTSA ODI 11194450

Mar 15, 2019Electrical system

MY MOTHER HAS BECOME TRAPPED TWO TIMES DUE TO THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE NOT WORKING. THE ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED SOME KIND MECHANISM AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS GOOD TO GO. IT RAINED AGAIN YESTERDAY AND MY MOTHER WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME YOU TRY TO ENGAGE THE LOCKS, I.E. IN PARK, PUTTING IT IN PARK, PUTTING IT IN DRIVE, USING ONSTAR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, USING THE GMC APP TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, USING EITHER KEY FOB TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, TRYING TO LOCK OR UNLOCK IT MANUALLY.

NHTSA ODI 11186980

Jan 5, 2019Lights

HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT, INCLUDING WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON.

NHTSA ODI 11165383

← Newer

Working with the data? Download all 374 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 2019 GMC Acadia Limited verdict →