What 374 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 GMC Acadia Limited

The warning steering assist reduced, drive with caution appears. Shift to park appears. Temperature gauge drops to zero. Fan runs on high. A/C & heater don’t not work when this happens. We certainly do not feel safe driving our Acadia like this. Can’t trust that it won’t start on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11730600

When shiftiing to park and turning the car off the message "Action Required Shift to Park". It is difficult to get the message to go away.

NHTSA ODI 11729088

Park to shift issue - the vehicle did not register that I was in park, jerked hard when trying to place in gear, did not register the PROPER gear (reverse, neutral, drive), would NOT unlock doors to let passengers out even if it were an emergency. Seems to be triggered on inclines but have also been having issues on flat ground. Other Acadia's apparently have a recall for this issue but my VIN does not register as recalled which is not acceptable. https://www.quillarrowlaw.com/blog/gmc-acadia-shift-to-park-recall-what-owners-need-to-know/ THEN trying to accelerate on road it acted as though in neutral, would only barely function in low gear. Again, gear shifting did not respond. The fab did not register to unlock the car (it has a new battery) or the trunk, or start the car just prior to the issue revealing itself.

NHTSA ODI 11728432

My 2019 GMC SLT seems to be having sensor problems. I keep getting a message that my driver assist is reduced and my A/C only blows out hot air. It’s done this to me randomly id say about 4-5 times. It will go off as I’m driving and than my temp gauge goes to zero. I did research and alot of other users have the same issue and say thermostat or thermostat sensor. If I disconnect my negative on battery and wait a few minutes it will work again.

NHTSA ODI 11728659

2019 GMC Acadia message: Action Required Steering Assist Is Reduced Drive with care Both power steering and AC affected, check engine light on, engine temperature gauge off

NHTSA ODI 11727676

The "shift to park" continues to pop up and can take as long as 20 minutes to get it to go off. From what I have seen this is a super common issues for the 2019 models and why there isn't an active recall I am not sure. Getting pretty frustrating when I have read 100s of complaints about the same thing and GM isn't doing anything about it.

NHTSA ODI 11727230

I see where GMC Acadia is have a recall on transmission and if it’s the description of my two GMC Acadia’s, but when I put my Vin number in it doesn’t have a recall

NHTSA ODI 11726873

It has the ABS lights on and tire traction light on check engine light on and given signs of failed transmission Slow to takeoff shuttering of transmission

NHTSA ODI 11726874

Loss of steering assist code P0128 due to stuck thermostat.

NHTSA ODI 11726308

In November 2022, I started getting a dashboard "shift to park" on my 2019 Acadia after I had parked and shut the vehicle off. At the time I took it into service to have it looked at/repaired, they told me there would probably be a recall on this issue,as it seemed to be a frequent problem, and I would get a refund for the repair. That recall never happened, and now my car is once again displaying the same issue. The dealership will not cover the repair, and I will be responsible, as it is out of their 2 year warranty window. I can't just ignore this issue and keep driving, as with the "shift to park" display, there is a constant alarm that doesn't stop unless the park switch recognizes the car is in park, even when it is shut off. I feel this issue needs to be placed under a recall, and I should not have to pay AGAIN for it to be repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11726065

My Acadia keeps an error message of "Shift to Park" this has been happening on and off for about 8 months. Now it goes on every time I try to shut my car off. I have to stop and start it up to 20 times before it shuts off. I am concerned that I may be somewhere and won't be able to turn it off. I know there have been recalls for this and I need this repaired. It's obviously a flaw on GMC and honestly, I should not have to pay for it. At this point, the car is only used close by my home. I don't feel safe using it. Please help. Not only me but all drivers affected. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11725460

Error shift to park it come and go all the time. You cannot lock your car when this happens. Cost 500.00 to repair.. common problem for r This year.

NHTSA ODI 11724982

Shift to park error on dashboard When turning the car off and it is in park, the car does not register that it is in park and continues to run electronics in the car. Causing the car to show the error on the dashboard. This runs the battery down and car may jump out of park and roll. Asked dealer to look at it and they refused due to it not being on the recall list for my vin #. No, dealer refused and no other person will touch this issue, since its electronic in the vehicle and only the dealer can fix. Had it to another repair shop that informed me of this information. No known abnormalities prior to the incident that occurs every time you try to shut off the vehicle. Causing several attempts to turn the car off and make sure it is off and does not move on its own.

NHTSA ODI 11723610

The engine temperature gauge was reading cold when driving for 40 minutes and the fan was running on high. Also said steering assist reduced. Brought it in and had to replace the thermostat, because of the code they received. That fixed the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11723418

Owner of a 2019 GMC Acadia Denali (VIN: [XXX] , current odometer ~87,164 miles), purchased new. In early February 2026, the check engine light came on. Independent diagnostic scan confirmed persistent P0420 code (“Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1”) as current, history, pending, and permanent. Inspection showed the front exhaust pipe bracket had snapped, damaging the flex pipe and causing an exhaust leak. This failure mode directly triggers the P0420 code and requires replacement of the bracket and affected flex pipe section. This is a known recurring issue on GM’s Lambda-platform vehicles (shared platform, 3.6L V6 engine, and exhaust system design). GM Special Coverage Adjustment N212356540 covers 2019 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave models for front exhaust pipe bracket separation (resulting in pipe damage, holes, leaks, rattling, or efficiency codes), providing free repair for 15 years or 150,000 miles from in-service date, regardless of ownership. The failure on this Acadia is mechanically identical, yet the model is excluded from coverage despite matching part design and numerous similar owner complaints documented on NHTSA and BBB reports. Multiple attempts were made to resolve through the selling dealership (no response to service inquiries). Matter was escalated to GM Executive Resolution. GM required a redundant diagnostic scan at an authorized dealer (additional cost incurred), despite independent confirmation of the issue. GM ultimately denied any coverage, TSB applicability, goodwill assistance, or further support. The snapped bracket and resulting exhaust leak can produce noise, fumes in cabin, potential component damage, and emissions noncompliance via false/legitimate catalyst efficiency codes. Inconsistent application of coverage for the identical defect across equivalent Lambda-platform models raises concerns about a widespread safety/emissions issue affecting 2019 GMC Acadia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11722618

My car will be in park and it always says shift to park when its in park , this is very unsafe. Also when I change gears from park to drive or reverse the RPM revs up gets stuck then drops quick causing the hesitation and then kicks in.

NHTSA ODI 11721476

My 2019 Acadia often will not turn off because it has a Shift to Park issue. Apparently it is caused by a faulty microswitch in the shifter assembly that fails to signal the Body Control Module when in park, leading to a persistent warning message, inability to turn off the vehicle and battery drain. It has been going on for at least 4 years. It appears there is a recall for this problem but when I search my VIN number a recall does not come up. There are many posts that say "certain" models in years 2017-2019 but why not mine? It is definitely a safety issue because it does not turn off.

NHTSA ODI 11720758

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into park(P). The vehicle failed to turn off, with the message "Shift to Park" displayed with an audible chime. The contact was forced to move the gear shifter back and forth before it was recognized that the transmission was in park(P). A dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720766

Parts # 84733196 Harness ASM-TRAS CONT WRG and 84955379 SWITCH ASM-TRNS CONT have been replaced three times. This is described by dealer as a faulty PARK SWITCH. When this switch fails the vehicle is unable to be shifted to park. Vehicle needed to be located in a level position, wheels chocked and battery disconnected to safely disable the vehicle. Dealership and General Motors has been made aware of problem won't do anything, other that have me pay for the labor and new part to fix it, AGAIN. There is no warning ,it simple decides to fail to shift to park.

NHTSA ODI 11717242

Vehicle experiences multiple simultaneous failures including “Steering Assist Reduced / Drive With Care” warning, extremely loud cooling fan operation, temperature gauge not functioning, tire pressure monitoring system failure, and widespread electrical issues (windows, mirrors, infotainment delay). Issues occurred together and are consistent with numerous owner reports for 2019 GMC Acadia models. Condition affects steering assist and engine temperature monitoring, creating a potential safety risk.

NHTSA ODI 11716967

My 2019 GMC Acadia has shift to park warning light that repeatedly keeps coming on I've tried to park it have to turn it off two to three times maybe four times I have paperwork that I have went to the dealer and they have fixed it twice with a harness that is failing it only is a temporary band-aid fix. Even though in Indiana we do not have a recall as I know of for this year I would need to have this fixed for my safety I fear that one time it may not go into park and I may not be able to shut my car off.

NHTSA ODI 11716582

Shift to park alert continues to come on when car is already shifted into park. Car will not shut off without pulling car back out of park and shifting back into park. Causing a delay in all electrical attached to power down, potentially draining the battery.

NHTSA ODI 11714233

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact also stated that while coming to a stop and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle lost motive power but unexpectedly lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 85,695.

NHTSA ODI 11713932

Started getting a warning indication when starting the vehicle that stated some portion of driver assist was not functioning (or some verbiage close to that). We didn't notice any difference in the operation of the vehicle and took it to a service shop after about a week. They did some testing and discovered the problem. I am not mechanical at all but they said there were several technical bulletins from the manufacturer that led them to the problem - a bent pin on one of the rocker arms. I am going to upload the technical bulletins (3) they provided me as well as the invoice (3 pages).

NHTSA ODI 11711871

My park to shift to park warning keeps coming on. It was replaced under warranty once and came on again comes and goes and dealership is not replace it again saying it isn’t tripping a code so it won’t get covered under the parts warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11710294