Cars emergency brake locks up for no reason. Happened on several occasions but last instance burned out actuator and locked up calipers from just sitting on a hill with foot on brake. This is a huge safety issue when it locks up for no reason on a road. It’s stranded me at least twice because it’s hard to undue.
2018 GMC Acadia
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Acadia do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 256.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Acadia years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
179 reports with mileage · 214 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.
- Power Train. Review the 163 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
21 reportsThe contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the brake pads and all four rotors needed to be replaced. The contact then called Brad Deery Mo…
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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the brake pads and all four rotors needed to be replaced. The contact then called Brad Deery Motors (112 N. 2nd St, Maquoketa, IA 52060) and was informed to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The contact was then informed that only one of the rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that upon attempting to park the vehicle, the shift to park warning message would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had to repeatedly shift the vehicle in and out of the park before the vehicle would recognize the shifter in the park position. The manufacturer had been notified of the failures but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
I PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SO THE BELL COMES ON. I HAVE TO GO IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ENGAGES. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, I FIRST PLACE IN PARK THEN PUSH THE IGNITION TO SHUT OFF. WE HAD A PRIOR ISSUE WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON, AUTO BACKED IN A DRIV…
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I PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SO THE BELL COMES ON. I HAVE TO GO IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ENGAGES. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, I FIRST PLACE IN PARK THEN PUSH THE IGNITION TO SHUT OFF. WE HAD A PRIOR ISSUE WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON, AUTO BACKED IN A DRIVEWAY WITH SLIGHT INCLINE, AND WHEN WE TRIED TO DISENGAGE IT WAS SIMPLY STUCK, WE CALLED TO TOW THE CARE; ONCE DRIVER ARRIVED WE WENT THROUGH THE RELEASE ONE MORE TIME AND IT FINALLY RELEASED. SINCE THAT TIME, I NEVER USE THE PARKING BRAKE. THAT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 9/20/2018..
THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT GAVE US TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWY DAY. BRAKES TYPICALLY DO NOT WORK, AT TIMES EVEN GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND THANKFULLY NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WHILE UNDER A SNOW STORM. UN…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT GAVE US TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWY DAY. BRAKES TYPICALLY DO NOT WORK, AT TIMES EVEN GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND THANKFULLY NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WHILE UNDER A SNOW STORM. UNFORTUNATELY, WE TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST DELEARSHIP TO GET IT FIXED AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE SNOW, BUT AFTER THE SNOW EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A VEHICLE AND HAVE IT PARKED DURING THE WINTER, THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US. BECAUSE NOR THE DEALERSHIP OR GMC HAS DONE ANYTHING TO HELP. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED SINCE DECEMBER 2018, THE VEHICLE HAS 34500 MILES ON IT AND IS RELATIVELY NEW NOW, BUT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES. IT IS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. IT WOULD BE GOOD IF THEY ACCEPT THESE VEHICLES HAVE ISSUES AND CORRECT THEM PRIOR TO PROMOTING AND SELLING TO CUSTOMERS. SINCE THEY DID NOT CORRECT THESE ISSUES PRIOR TO SOME INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD WORK ON A SOLUTION VIA A RE-CALL TO AVOID ANY INJURIES TO FAMILIES OF THEIR VEHICLE'S OWNERS.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR DOESN'T REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THERE IS AN ALERT THAT COMES UP ON THE DISPLAY SAYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT ISN'T EVERY TIME THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, BUT IT CAN SOMETIMES TAKE UP TO FOUR OR FIVE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO REGISTE…
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SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR DOESN'T REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THERE IS AN ALERT THAT COMES UP ON THE DISPLAY SAYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT ISN'T EVERY TIME THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, BUT IT CAN SOMETIMES TAKE UP TO FOUR OR FIVE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK. I SHIFT TO PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF, GET THE ALERT. SO I TURN THE CAR BACK ON, SHIFT TO A DIFFERENT GEAR, AND THAN SHIFT PACK TO PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. AND REPEAT THIS UNTIL I STOP GETTING THE ALERT. WHEN IT IS PUT IN PARK, THE CAR WILL SHIFT SLIGHTLY IF I GET THIS ERROR. I'VE STARTED USING MY EMERGENCY BREAK WHENEVER I GET OUT OF THE CAR TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WON'T ROLL.
WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AT MY GMC DEALER THEY DISCOVERED THAT A REAR BRAKE PAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE BACK METAL PLATE IT WAS ATTACHED. THEY SAID IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND NOT THE RESULT OF WEAR. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PA…
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WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AT MY GMC DEALER THEY DISCOVERED THAT A REAR BRAKE PAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE BACK METAL PLATE IT WAS ATTACHED. THEY SAID IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND NOT THE RESULT OF WEAR. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PARTS SO I TOOK IT TO TUFFY MUFFLER WHO FIXED IT. THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE GMC ACADIA'S SHIFT TO PARK FUNCTION. ON A DAILY BASIS WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT IT INTO PARK, TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, THE CAR BEEPS CONTINUOUSLY AND DISPLAYS A MESSAGE THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I TYPICALLY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF MULT…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE GMC ACADIA'S SHIFT TO PARK FUNCTION. ON A DAILY BASIS WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT IT INTO PARK, TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, THE CAR BEEPS CONTINUOUSLY AND DISPLAYS A MESSAGE THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I TYPICALLY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES OR PUMP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE MESSAGE AND SOUND TO CLEAR. THE CAR HAS EVEN CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD A FEW TIMES AS WELL WHEN SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION OFF.
GMC ACADIA WILL NOT REGISTER WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTS THE GEARS INTO PARK. AN ERROR MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK' IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR IS IN PARK. THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE OF THE ERROR MESSAGE. IT TAKES SEVERAL TURNS OF SWITCHING THE CAR ON AND OFF AND FLIPPING THROUGH ALL THE GEARS I…
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GMC ACADIA WILL NOT REGISTER WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTS THE GEARS INTO PARK. AN ERROR MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK' IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR IS IN PARK. THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE OF THE ERROR MESSAGE. IT TAKES SEVERAL TURNS OF SWITCHING THE CAR ON AND OFF AND FLIPPING THROUGH ALL THE GEARS IN ORDER FOR THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR SO THAT THE CAR TURNS OFF. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 26 FOR REPAIRS AND HAS BEEN SITTING THERE OVER A MONTH BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.
WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE DASHBOARD SHOWS A WARNING THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I HAVE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH BEFORE THE CAR REGISTERS THAT IT'S IN PARK. HAPPENS ON NEARLY EVERY OCCASION THAT I TURN MY CAR OFF.
IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY 401 NORTH ONTARIO CANADA, THE VEHICLE ERRATICALLY INCREASED SPEED AND BRAKES WERE NOIR EFFECTIVE, LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A MASSIVE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MULTIPLE CARS AND RESULTED IN MULTIPLE INJURIES. *DT
Official recalls
218V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
May 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
17V516000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Aug 22, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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