Home · 2020 GMC Acadia Denali · Complaints

What 97 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 GMC Acadia Denali

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 (97)Crash / fire / injury (4)Electrical system (27)Engine (24)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Steering (17)Fuel system (11)Driver assistance (8)Brakes (7)Speed control (4)Airbags (3)Lane Departure (3)

4 of 97 complaints match · Speed control · clear filters

Sep 29, 2021Speed controlBrakes

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake was applied independently. The contact mentioned that the brake was operating when there was nothing in front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not repaired. in addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started slowing inadvertently. The contact stated that the vehicle was locked and needed to be in the park to operate however, once the accelerator pedal was depressed the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic experienced the failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, a diagnostic test was not performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. The VIN was not provided.

NHTSA ODI 11434897

Sep 29, 2021Electrical systemSpeed controlDriver assistance

The vehicle was purchased brand new from Serra GMC in Washington Michigan in April 2020. It has been back to the dealer 5 times for the same issue, with another 4 times that it was not taken into dealer! Reoccurring issue involves the instrument cluster, All gages and visual indicators go to zero (speed, tach, fuel, temp, etc...) as well as getting a notification that the traction control is disabled, the ABS is disabled, cruise is disabled, and other electronic aid. This happens at highway speeds and to loose all function is a safety concern, it is not repeatable and happens randomly but it is the same issue. The dealer claims to fix the issue but it always comes back. GM has told me to accept the issue as its not detectable however this is unacceptable as it puts my family at risk. I have videos of the instrument cluster going to zero but its to big to attached - I can provide it if you contact me or tell me how to share it

NHTSA ODI 11434839

Jun 7, 2021AirbagsBody & structureSpeed controlCrash

The ACADIA 2020 while in slow motion approaching my private condominium parking spot, accelerated autonomously and then slammed into the cement wall. Airbags deployed, no warning of collision, seriously damaged both car and cement wall. No bodily injuries. I researched the possible cause coded P2138 which involves the drive by wire sensors which connect the throttle pedal and the CPU that controls the mechanical throttle gas system. That might be the cause of the autonomous acceleration like explained about the P2138 sensors issues.

NHTSA ODI 11419981

Aug 7, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlBrakes

WHILE IN MOTION- BLIND SPOT SENSORS TURN ON WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT AND VICE VERSA. TRACTION CONTROL HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. PREDICTIVE BRAKING HAS ACTIVATED IMPROPERLY MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. CAMERAS WENT OUT AND THEN BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. WAS TOLD FIXING BATTERY WOULD FIX VEHICLE. THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE UNTRUE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIRD TIME. REMAINS UNDER WARRANTY, AS I HAVE HAD IT THREE MONTHS. MOST RECENT DATE HAS BEEN USED BUT I'VE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE LITERALLY THE FIRST FULL DAY I HAVE HAD IT.

NHTSA ODI 11343838

Working with the data? Download all 97 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 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 2020 GMC Acadia Denali verdict →