What 58 owners told NHTSA about the 2025 GMC Acadia Limited

Today, June 11, 2026, my wife and 9 month old baby were on their way home from running errands in town when the vehicle started to violently shake, becoming frightened my wife tried to apply pressure to the brakes. When she pushed down on the brake pedal nothing happened and the pedal hit the floor. Our brand new 2025 GMC Acadia AT4 had just suffered catastrophic brake failure. So she pulled off onto the side of the road in hopes the uneven terrain would slow her down just enough to put it into park. Luckily enough it did. If it would have been 10 seconds later she would have been on a one way bridge where the speed limit is 60mph with no brakes. Four days prior to today on June 07, 2026 I sent a message to the individual that I bought the car from at the GMC dealership and told him that we had warning lights come up on the dash. He had me try and reset the screen but nothing happened. I asked when we could get it into a shop so it could be looked at he said that he would have someone reach out and schedule a time. I proceeded to ask if we were ok to drive the vehicle until then.To which he responded "If the vehicle isn't giving you issues mechanically, you should be good". Fast forward to today June 11, 2026 my wife is driving and has catastrophic brake failure. The vehicle was then towed by roadside assistance to the GMC dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11743627

Telematic Modular Control is not working properly and part is on backorder. Dealership and GMC have refused to put into writing that my vehicle is safe to drive; however, they are refusing rental vehicle while awaiting arrival of part. Several of my safety features are not working correctly, my left turn signal went out randomly and my auto breaking has activated when there has been nothing near my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11740057

The master cylinder failed under 10,000 miles. I was at 5000 miles. I am reading a lot of people have had issues with the master cylinder in the 2024 early 2025 models. Luckily I was in the driveway barely moving, but man if i were on a highway and it happened it could've been fatal!

NHTSA ODI 11739018

Brake module malfunction Codes: “service ESC” “break assist failure. Press hard to break. Speed limited”

NHTSA ODI 11736675

Automatic brake engaged unnecessarily/ unexpectedly while driving forward at a low speed. There was no reason for the brake to engage. There were no objects or people infont of us. This has happened twice in less than a month. Both times we were in a forward motion. It could have been a serious situation if the car behind us had been any closer when we suddenly breaked for no reason.

NHTSA ODI 11726073

I have the little feature that will brake for me if it thinks ima get in a wreck. However it’s glitchy!! I can be the only vehicle on road in BOTH directions, cruise set at 60 when out of nowhere the car slams on the breaks. We go down to like 52 then like nothing ever happened we are back to 60. This has happened several times. I have brought the car into my dealership tomorrow have the software updated and the camera recalibrated. Even after these steps were made this issue is still occurring. Happens about one to two times a week, so pretty often. My worries that I will be rear ended one day if this is not corrected.

NHTSA ODI 11695923

We had complete brake system failure while driving the car on the highway. The brakes went all the way to the floor when applied and we came inches going into fast moving oncoming traffic before the vehicle stopped. I had to push the break with both feet with all the strength I had to get the brakes to respond at all. The brake assist failure warning light came on and another warning light came on that said SERVICE ESC. I have this on video. This was the first time the warning lights have ever come on. It’s a brand new 2025 car with only 800 miles on it. We were advised by the dealership who sold us the car to get OnStar to tow the vehicle to our local GMC dealership where we bought the car. When the car was hooked up to the diagnoses machine it said brake system failure. I have not received any invoices or paperwork to send you at this point. All I can upload is a video of the warning lights that were appearing on the dashboard after the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11693689

Bought new 2025 GMC Acadia in March of same year. At ~4500 miles I started getting Brake Assist, Forward Collision and Electronic Stability Control warning messages on dash. Upon researching, this is an increasingly common issue with this vehicle that can render the brakes unusable. I no longer feel safe in the vehicle and want it refunded. Car is now in the shop. Taken in on 9/11. Problem has been confirmed by dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11687148

I purchased the car on [XXX]. Drove the car about 8000 miles and then all of a sudden the dash lights all lit up for the brakes, ABS, traction control. I pulled the car over and turned it off. When I restarted my car, the lights continued to stay on and it told me to service immediately. I called my dealer and they could not get me in within 2 weeks so I took it to another local GMC dealer who could get it in to look at it that week. I took it in on July 9th, and then received a called a couple days later telling me that it had a bad Brake control module that they needed to order. A week later was told the part was on backorder. Two weeks later was told the part came in but it was still missing the brake master cylinder and reservoir. At that time, I was told the ETA was unknown and I have been calling back every week. On August 23rd I filed a complaint with GMC and have struggled to get anywhere with them. They tell me the dealer has the parts and the dealer tells me that they do not. I still have no ETA and it has been officially 2 months without a car. I am told that it is not safe to drive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11685561

dash lit up with ABS, traction control, and ESC warnings. Technician stated the entire brake system needed to be rebuilt. There is currently no ETA on when the parts to be able to accomplish this will be available.

NHTSA ODI 11679053

Approximately July 12 2025 while driving to dinner two warnings showed on the Driver Information Cluster (1) Check Brake Assist (2) Check ESC. Took vehicle to dealer the next business day for diagnosis. Service department stated the problem was the EBCM or Electronic Brake Control Module and the parts are on a Nationwide backorder. Since the part failure all brake system associated lights on the gauge cluster are illuminated and non of the associated safety systems are functional including but not limited to ABS, Stabilitrak, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise, Crash Avoidance or standard cruise control.

NHTSA ODI 11678724

At startup today vehicle displayed “Brake Assist Failure. Press Hard to brake. Speed limited.” It also displayed “service.” It also displayed “ESC,” and the word “service. An internet search indicated this may be a common problem of this vehicle, caused either by a software error in the Electronic Brake Control Module, or due to a defective brake master cylinder. There is a GM service notice for these defects, N242471431. Regardless of the cause, the brake is extremely mushy, and requires a high degree of force to stop the vehicle. GM says there is no recall due to this defect. This is a brand new vehicle and therefore it must be a defect in the vehicle. Given that braking is a fundamental safety issue, it’s hard to believe there is no recall already issued.

NHTSA ODI 11678204

Vehicle had a "service ESC" and "service brake assist". Dealership said the master cylinder is bad and it is not safe to drive. Now its sitting at the dealership with NO eta on parts and no loaner cars.

NHTSA ODI 11677129

At approximately 4900 miles, the brake master cylinder failed on my vehicle. It has been at the dealership for over a month awaiting parts for repair.

NHTSA ODI 11675409

Multiple brake warning lights came on while driving vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11673570

Car driven off the lot 06/14/2025 On Sunday 07/06/25 (21 days from purchase) while driving home from a 30 minutes away from home trip with 3 young children with me, the car gave multiple alerts and service warnings. "Service Brake Assist" and "Service ECS" Lights / Symbols related to the following were also displayed: Traction Control System (TCS)/ Electronic Control Stability Light, Anti-lock Brakey System (ABS); Brake System Warning Light, Forward Collision Alert and BREAK light I stopped the car immediately and pulled to the side of the road. After restarting vehicle, lights were still displayed and service alerts still on. Power steering was very diminished and the breaks were struggle to break. Acceleration was also impacted and every time I breaked it appeared as though the car was trying to accelerate. I was able to drive the car home slowly following back roads. On Monday 07/07/25 I called the dealership and arranged a tow to their facility. On Tuesday 07/08/25 after multiple "unavailable to take your calls" I was finally able to connect with a service technician who indicated the break master cylinder needed to be replaced. I was not given an ETA on the completion of this repair. I have owned the car for 21 days. It has 1073 miles on it!!! I have 3 young children! The original route home was via a very heavy interstate! What if the brakes failed me while driving an interstate! I praise God I was able to get home safely with my children

NHTSA ODI 11672281

ABS, EBCM, Traction Control and brake lights on.

NHTSA ODI 11672338

After having my 2025 GMC Acadia Elevation for 2 weeks, I turned it on and six lights on the dash lit up. ESC, ABS, Tractions Control and more. I was leaving a store at the time this happened and drove home. Also, my cruise control would no longer work. Took my Acadia to the dealership the following business day to be serviced, only to be told a week later that the master brake cylinder needed replaced. This part of course was on back order. My new part arrived two weeks later, only to discover that two additional one-time parts (seal and reservoir) are now needed. These parts are also on back order with an estimated ship date of mid to late July.

NHTSA ODI 11668988

The ESC, ABS, and Traction Control, Yellow warning lights, BRAKE, Red Warning light. Diagnosis is ABS, module, and master brake cylinder bad 2025 GMC Acadia Denali, 1150 miles. No parts available because these are all needing work! People are having near misses and collisions due to this problem! Put a stop production order until these are fixed!

NHTSA ODI 11667901