Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
2025–50K
1950–75K
575–100K
3100–150K
6150K+
63 reports with mileage · 173 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
236 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2022
Engine
While driving my 2016 GMC Acadia Denali home from work I noticed my speed getting faster so I let off my gas pedal. My engine then abruptly revved to the highest rpm and accelerated ON ITS OWN. My speed increased to almost 100 mph and I am going up a steep incline. I did not have my foot on the pedal and this car accelerated …
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While driving my 2016 GMC Acadia Denali home from work I noticed my speed getting faster so I let off my gas pedal. My engine then abruptly revved to the highest rpm and accelerated ON ITS OWN. My speed increased to almost 100 mph and I am going up a steep incline. I did not have my foot on the pedal and this car accelerated on its own and was only going faster and faster. I tried to brake but it would not slow my car down. I am in rush hour traffic and I feel like this is where I am going to die today. I continued to slam on my brakes to a point that I felt the brakes grinding but ultimately was able to slow the car down enough to get to the side of the road. However, I am unable to fully stop my car. After I was able to slow it down to a slow crawl (even with the engine rpms revving extremely high still), I was fumbling for my phone to call my husband and inadvertently took my foot off the brake and the engine jerked me again and caused my car to take off again with such force my whole body hit my seat back. I then slammed the brakes again and pushed the gear into park with such force to automatically stop the car, which was hard to do because the car was still moving. Once the car was in park, the engine continued to rev at the highest speed and I then turned my car off. I was such an emotional wreck after this I got out of my car and refused to get back in it to this day. This vehicle is possessed. I looked up this same issue with other GMC Acadias and found it has happened to others yet AGAIN GMC does not recall these vehicles. This is the second serious issue I have had with this vehicle and I want GMC to take my car back and I will NEVER own another GMC!
NHTSA ODI #11481240
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2022
Unknown Or Other
Concern: Engine Missfire. Cause: Low compression on #1 cylinder. Remove head and found burnt exhaust valve. Safety: My family was put in harm because due to faulty parts we could have started a fire if we would have continued to drive the vehicle, according to GMC dealership in Ashtabula. Fixed: We got all parts fixed by Chev…
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Concern: Engine Missfire. Cause: Low compression on #1 cylinder. Remove head and found burnt exhaust valve. Safety: My family was put in harm because due to faulty parts we could have started a fire if we would have continued to drive the vehicle, according to GMC dealership in Ashtabula. Fixed: We got all parts fixed by Chevrolet dealer in Archbold. They confirmed issues presented in Ashtabula and fixed the problem. There was no cause to the issues, only faulty parts. Warning lights: Check Engine light turned on and Check Stablitrak came on during the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11476317
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2022
Electrical SystemLane Departure
this is a follow up to my last report. My dealer service dept told me my "side detection modules" blew a fuse. When the fuse blew it should have turned them off. It didn't. The modules stayed on 24/7 until all my electrical components went haywire and burned my battery out. After spending $250 on a new battery, I had issues…
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this is a follow up to my last report. My dealer service dept told me my "side detection modules" blew a fuse. When the fuse blew it should have turned them off. It didn't. The modules stayed on 24/7 until all my electrical components went haywire and burned my battery out. After spending $250 on a new battery, I had issues again with the alerts coming on my DIC. After extensive tracing of the electrical issue by my local GMC dealer, he told me the side detection modules staying on 24/7 caused not only my battery to burn out but caused the wires to burn to the rear electrical harness. He stated this is a defect with the modules and this could have caused a fire right under where my three children sit! I now have to wait indefinitely to get the modules that my service dealer ordered because so many people are having this same issue that they are on back order FOREVER! So my service dealer had to turn off the modules after he replaced the fused wires and wire harness and I have to drive with that alert on 24/7. This is a disgrace to GMC that this is a recall for other Acadia years but not my 2016 model! Other GMC Acadia owners need to be alerted to this potential SERIOUS fire hazard!
NHTSA ODI #11471601
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2022
Lane Departure
My care received error code stating service side detection system. Took it to a dealer who, after thoroughly checking my entire electrical system told me the fuse to my side detection modules blew and caused those defective modules to then create a continuous back-feeding of power to the rear wire harness causing a complete dep…
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My care received error code stating service side detection system. Took it to a dealer who, after thoroughly checking my entire electrical system told me the fuse to my side detection modules blew and caused those defective modules to then create a continuous back-feeding of power to the rear wire harness causing a complete depletion of my battery, but also caused the wires to completely melt to the wire harness, which in turn rendered my radio useless and caused several other electrical error codes to come up on my DIC. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE! GM knows this is an ongoing issue because there are ZERO modules to date to replace my defective modules. NONE! From what I read from other blogs, a lot of other GMC owners are having the same issues, YET GMC does not feel this is worth a recall! It could be weeks to months to receive the replacement modules and I tend to feel they will still be sub par. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM VEHICLE AGAIN AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE IF THEY VALUE THEIR FAMILIES LIVES AND THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY!
NHTSA ODI #11468681
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2022
Electrical SystemLane Departure
I received an error stating “service side detection system” first. Then I started having issues with every error code coming up, side air bag, the side detection lights staying on at all times while engine is on, and I lost my radio entirely. Without my radio I have back up camera! A dealership told me my wire harness is defecti…
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I received an error stating “service side detection system” first. Then I started having issues with every error code coming up, side air bag, the side detection lights staying on at all times while engine is on, and I lost my radio entirely. Without my radio I have back up camera! A dealership told me my wire harness is defective, either a frayed wire, corroded wire, and that it is blowing all my fuses. This is before they have completed my service, at my expense. The electrical system runs my car!! Side detection system issues are a SAFETY ISSUE!! It seems this is not the first GMC has heard of this but their response is nothing! How can this safety issue be allowed to continue with GMC not taking steps to fix it in a recall?
NHTSA ODI #11467844
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2022
Steering
Experienced noise when turning at slow speeds and the wheel was difficult to turn at times. Took it in to dealer and was informed that the entire steering system needed to be replaced for $6300.
NHTSA ODI #11462022
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2022
EnginePower Train
This is a complaint update#498946. I made all the necessary repairs outlined and detailed on the diagnostic report issued by the dealership. I picked my vehicle up on Thursday evening. I got up at 6:00 on Friday March 18th and noticed my OnStar diagnostic report had come through at 12:00 am and stated there was a problem with my…
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This is a complaint update#498946. I made all the necessary repairs outlined and detailed on the diagnostic report issued by the dealership. I picked my vehicle up on Thursday evening. I got up at 6:00 on Friday March 18th and noticed my OnStar diagnostic report had come through at 12:00 am and stated there was a problem with my emissions/transmission. I immediately at 8:30 called GMC manufacturing and they told me to take the vehicle back and GMC manufacturing made me a 1:00 appointment for the same say while I was on the phone. I had to be at work at 12 noon so my husband took it there and came back and told me that my transmission was bad. The dealership offered to but my vehicle back fir $18,500 or pay for the repairs myself $3.909. I asked for assistance since this was the initial problem I took it in for and it has network weeks and I haven’t heard anything. This month is my 2 year anniversary of owning it. I informed the dealership about the Special Warranty coverage and they stated that this was not covered but I explained to them that the coverage is limited to 150,000 miles and that my vehicle only has 120,000 miles on it so I am confused and seeking clarification and explanation from a higher source and no one has contacted in 2 weeks.
NHTSA ODI #11459651
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other
Low oil pressure warning, engine shutoff. Vehicle was equipped with oil life monitoring. It was at 20%, when engine shutting down. Engine seized, called tow truck. Towed to shop. The only report was to the dealership and the repair shop. Possible high oil consumption. The warning was last minute, barely had time to react.
NHTSA ODI #11454214
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2022
Steering
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact indicated while driving at various speeds the vehicle had experienced random jerking and hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine control module was faulty. The engine control module was replaced but the failure continued to occur. …
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The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact indicated while driving at various speeds the vehicle had experienced random jerking and hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine control module was faulty. The engine control module was replaced but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rack and pinion and power steering pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11448756
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2021
Seat Belts
This complaint is not just about this particular vehicle. It's about all vehicles. Seat belts only have one latch. If that latch is damaged in an accident you are trapped. Over 60% of the people killed in auto accidents were not wearing a seatbelt. Why? Because of the fear of being trapped. All first responders carry a seat belt…
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This complaint is not just about this particular vehicle. It's about all vehicles. Seat belts only have one latch. If that latch is damaged in an accident you are trapped. Over 60% of the people killed in auto accidents were not wearing a seatbelt. Why? Because of the fear of being trapped. All first responders carry a seat belt cutter. There are a lot of seat belt cutters on the market today. That proves to me that a seat belt will trap you in a vehicle in its present design. In an accident the seat belt shoulder portion will tighten down. Under pressure, it will not release until you back off the pressure. Under certain circumstances you may not be able to back off the pressure which causes difficulty to release the belt. I have designed, manufactured, and installed a prototype of belt release in my vehicle. I call it my Designated Emergency Seatbelt Hinge. I have also filed for, and received a patent for my design. I believe all vehicles should have an D E S H installed. I don't understand why seat belts only have one release point.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2016 GMC Acadia Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year