What 145 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Acadia Denali

5 September went to start my car and the car started before i put it in drive it stalled and i could not restart the car kept turning over and will not run. plug in a diagnostics machine and found fault code P023F Fuel pump control module. this was the same fault I had two years ago june 2022. replaced the unit but part number has changed "13543075 has changed to a new number of 13554820" so GMC is aware there is a problem with the old part. included an image of original repair.

NHTSA ODI 11614704

Front right brake hose was entangled around the front drive shaft and tore the brake line apart causing catastrophic brake failure. Car had only 19000 miles on the odometer odometer.

NHTSA ODI 11609134

Vehicle shut off on highway, was able to pull off on shoulder. Would turn but not start. Dealer states fuel pump control module fault.

NHTSA ODI 11608059

The vehicle, without any warning, suddenly stopped. I was unable to restart and unable to put the vehicle in Neutral for pushing to a safer location. Had to be towed to the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11604229

Electronic dashboard failure. Entire instrument panel randomly shuts off while driving, including speedometer and all gauges. Driver then has to wait for system to reboot itself before it begins working again. This condition is completely random and may not occur for months, or may occur several times within minutes. This is a safety issue due to the driver's inability to monitor speed. It is also possible that other safety systems are being shut down while waiting for the system to reboot. GM has known about this software glitch since 2021, and it affects certain GM vehicle models from 2021-2023. (Refer to GM TSB# 21-NA-054). NHTSA should require a recall for this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11603194

No matter what speed I am driving at or whether or not there is a passenger my service safety restraint system light comes on randomly and shuts off randomly. I called the dealership and they brushed it off saying it just means the airbag wont deploy if I were to get into an accident. Great thanks that makes me feel real safe! I see several people complaining about this as well and think it might be time to look into what the problem is and do a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11597154

I have 43,000 miles on my car and I do not by any means drive hard or really ever go over 50 MPH and I am being told that my rear tow links are loose and need to be replaced. I have NEVER had to replace those in any vehicle I have ever owned especially a 2021 vehicle with under 50k miles on it. I have read that there is a recall on the 2022 Acadia's for this exact issue so I can only assume it is the same issue happening on the 2021's as well.

NHTSA ODI 11597155

My 2021 GMC Acadia only has 25,327 miles. I purchased it new from Mossy of Picayune. The fuel pump module has been replaced 3 times. The first 2 times I was able to drive it to dealership for repairs. The last time on march 29, I was crossing a very busy highway and my vehicle just stopped without warning. It stopped as I was crossing and vehicles were coming up behind me very fast and I was almost hit. This was very scary and dangerous for me and my family and also the other vehicles on the highway . I was able to coax it into the emergency lane. I called Mossy of Picayune and was told my vehicle was no longer under warranty and they didn’t have a tow truck available. I had it towed to a local repair shop and had repaired. The cost to tow to Mossy was high (40 miles). And I paid $100.00 to have towed to local shop. The cost of repairs was $285.00. There really needs to be a recall on this dangerous situation. I have read many reviews with others having the same problem with their 2021 Acadia. I am very worried to drive my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11588801

Vehicle engine shuts off randomly while driving, car goes into neutral, and I have to stop and try to restart it. Sometimes, the vehicle struggles to start up and requires multiple attempts before being able to drive again. The engine then misfires, the car shakes aggressively, and engine will shuts off again 1-2 more times before it will start smoothly. This is obviously a safety issue as it happens while driving and could lead to a major collision. Been to the dealership multiple times. First time, the dealership was unable to find anything wrong and could not replicate the problem. The problem continued to happen and returned to dealership where they replaced the purge valve in the fuel system. Problem started occurring again and returned to dealership. Dealership kept vehicle for a week and was unable to replicate the problem. Showed the dealership a video of the problem and they replaced the fuel pump control module. A few weeks out from the fuel pump control module replacement and the car shut off twice while driving to work.

NHTSA ODI 11588318

The rear view camera was supposed to have been fixed during the safety recall in 2022, but two years later and over seven visits to dealership service repair shop, it still has not been fixed. GMC says they don't know how to fix it because they have tried everything and that because my warranty has been "out" one month - there is nothing they can do for me. My back up camera has not worked since the recall repair. What can I do? The car has been in the shop, who says they are contacting GMC Service Expert - but they are not communicating with me anymore. I have no car and no fix.

NHTSA ODI 11586651

UNKNOWN-THE VECHILE WILL NOT START AND SHOWS THE FUEL IS EMPTY, BUT I JUST LOOKED PRIOR AND HAD 3/4 FULL.

NHTSA ODI 11578257

FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE The fuel pump control module failed while sitting idle at a major highway intersection during the noon rush hour. All efforts to remove from the highway failed because the electronic shifter could not be moved to the neutral position and the electronic parking brake could not be disengaged. It was two hours before a tow truck arrived and traffic was backed up for approximately one mile. The vehicle was towed into the dealership where the problem was identified and the fuel pump control module was replaced. (Invoice attached.) I am unaware of any accidents related to this specific incident, however given that traffic was backed up as far as it was, it is certainly a possibility. The component was not inspected by anyone other than the dealership. There were no warnings, indicators, or symptoms prior to the failure. The same component (FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE) failed again more recently. Fortunately it occurred in a shopping mall parking lot and only caused inconvenience and delays. However, there is evidently an issues with this particular component. (Invoice included to verify part failure and replacement.)

NHTSA ODI 11575219

My vehicle stops working while in traffic when the auto stop is engaged. The abs, parking brake, and dash flashes prior to the engine stopping. I have been to the dealership multiple times and they are never able to recreate the issue. The check engine light codes produced are P0014 and c0800-03.

NHTSA ODI 11574872

Airbag light on dash comes on solid. Dealership had vehicle for 3 days and repair made to seat belt tensioner, days later, airbag light returns on dash. Other GM vehicles were recalled for airbag problems but maybe should include the Acadia.

NHTSA ODI 11574333

The exhaust resonator failed only a few hundred miles after warranty (60,300) and not covered by dealer under warranty. It creates a noise and reduces power/performance, which could inherently create a safety concern. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center. The following code for the rattle noise is PIT5863.

NHTSA ODI 11574020

Service safety restraint system notice comes on constantly and disappears at random times.

NHTSA ODI 11571391

The fabric on my headliner/ceiling is coming unglued or the clips are not holding it. It is a danger to my driving the car as it is continually loosening; which could potentially fall while I am driving the car. It is making an irritating squeaking noise which distracts my concentration from driving carefully. I took the car to Walker GMC in Alexandria, Louisiana. The mechanic and the service advisor both told me GMC has issued an instruction form on how to fix this problem as GMC has had complaints with this happening to the Acadias. I contacted GMC customer service. They will not let me know if they will cover the cost of the repair until I get an estimate. Walker is wanting to charge approximately $188 for the estimate. Since this is a safety issue, I am reporting this problem to your agency so that others may be protected and GMC will take care of this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11570147

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera failed to display an image. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the back-over prevention camera was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567287

Vehicle lost power and died during normal driving. Luckily it occurred on a low traffic road and not the interstate. Prior to this there were no check engine lights or other signs of failure or degradation in performance. Was unable to start the vehicle and had to have it towed to my local dealership for service. Failure was due to the Fuel System Control Module GM part 13543075. This part is currently back ordered nation wide and the dealership cannot give an ETA on part availability or repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11558936

The car stopped working all of a sudden, I was driving the car with no issues that morning and parked & shut off car to go to my appt. I turned the car back on and worked fine as I was putting in my address on the GPS my car just stopped and shut off by itself. I pushed the start button and it sounded like it wanted to start but it wouldn't and the whole engine shooked. Called GM and car still under warranty had it towed to the nearest GM. They diagnosed it and said it was the fuel injector module that went bad. It's 2021 with only 23800 miles. After a week, just got it back for a day and now the cooling fan has a loud noise, check engine light on, coolant stays on C even after driving it more than 10 mins, ac blows hot air, I get an alert with steering assist is reduced and to drive with care.....seems like something is wrong with the thermostat.

NHTSA ODI 11550751

My grandson used the safety restraint in the middle second row seat. He pulled the belt out to put it on and it would not retract. I have taken it to the dealership to have it fixed but there is a fee of $515 to fix it. I do not feel I should have to pay the since it seems to be an ongoing problem with the Acadia model. I purchased a 2018 model before this one and the same thing happened with the middle safety restraint in the second row seat. I have contacted GM and they informed me there is nothing they can do to waive the fee of fixing this defect.

NHTSA ODI 11548564

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the software update was performed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention). After the software was updated, the Lane Departure Assist system failed and was no longer alerting the driver when the vehicle was drifting into the other lane. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who completed the software update however, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,700.

NHTSA ODI 11546941

My 2021 Acadia digital dash goes out (completely black). I took it to the dealership on Friday August 25, as the issue was happening more frequently. I was told the software was not current. This was attributed to parking in a garage each night. Yesterday September 22 while driving, the dash again went out for a much longer timeframe (several miles). I called the dealership. Service was closing but was told by the receptionist that one of the sale people said to (1) park the car, (2) turn off the engine, (3) open the drivers door and leave open for 5 minutes to reset the system and everything should be fine. The black dash prevents the driver from seeing current MPH. I am uncertain if it also disengages adaptive cruise control and auto-braking. Is it acceptable for the digital dash to routinely go black while being operated? Is there a more sustainable resolution for the dash going out? Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11546197

The contact leased a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated water had leaked into the trunk compartment on a rainy day. Additionally, the contact stated that he pressed the power release button to close the trunk; however, while the trunk lid was in the process of closing, the driver's side trunk lid spring fractured. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11544492

Driving at 70mph on Interstate 69 near Charlotte Michigan at around 10 pm on Wednesday 8/23/2023. Passenger side front tire suddenly deflated. Limped the SUV into a store parking lot at interchange. Continental 235/65R18 106H tire was changed by road side service and spare installed. This morning , while examining tire and rim , found two long radial cracks approximately 50 to 75 mm in length on the outboard surface of the tire. The cracks are about 90 degrees apart. The vehicle has just under 34000 miles on the OEM installed tires. The reason I am contacting NHTSA is that the cracks do not look like road hazard/debris, rather a split in the sidewall. I have not taken the tire back to the dealer or a tire store. I did photo document the failure and cracks.

NHTSA ODI 11540522