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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.

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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.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

393 reports
120,000 miles · Dec 5, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting to the park(P), there was an audible warning alarm activated, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to immediately turn off. After restarting the vehicle and jiggling the gear shifter, the failure was corrected. The vehicle…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting to the park(P), there was an audible warning alarm activated, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to immediately turn off. After restarting the vehicle and jiggling the gear shifter, the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the gear shifter assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but while picking up her daughter from school, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P), and moments later, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact had to activate the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed back to the dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11703199

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I continue to get a message "Steering assist is reduced drive with care " this appears to be a very common issue with my vehicle model. it is very expensive to fix. I am just outside of warranty so it is not covered. Online indicates this is so common. It is the vehicle thermostat and sensor prematurely going bad

NHTSA ODI #11701099

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2025
Steering

"STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED" This message appears on the instrument panel once in a while, and I have to get a mechanic to reset it. Many other people who drive the 2018 GMC Acadia, are reporting the same problem. This occurs so frequently on this model, that it obviously was a manufacturing design flaw.

NHTSA ODI #11700513

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2025
Electrical System

SHIFTER PROBLEM 2018 GMC ACADIA. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OR BULLETIN ABOUT SHIFT TO PARK SHIFTER PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11697707

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2025
Power Train

URGENT SAFETY DEFECT — RECURRING “SHIFT TO PARK” — ROLLAWAY RISK Vehicle: GMC Acadia | ~99,684miles Same defect repaired FREE under GM goodwill in 2021 (shifter replacement, TSB 19-NA-206) after 4 failed attempts. Now FAILED AGAIN in 2025 — vehicle will not shut off, drains battery, risks unintended rollaway. GM dealer refuses …

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URGENT SAFETY DEFECT — RECURRING “SHIFT TO PARK” — ROLLAWAY RISK Vehicle: GMC Acadia | ~99,684miles Same defect repaired FREE under GM goodwill in 2021 (shifter replacement, TSB 19-NA-206) after 4 failed attempts. Now FAILED AGAIN in 2025 — vehicle will not shut off, drains battery, risks unintended rollaway. GM dealer refuses repeat coverage despite prior admission of defect. This is a KNOWN DESIGN FLAW — thousands of complaints — NO RECALL. DEMAND IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL — this is a fire/rollaway hazard. Attached: 2019- 2021 repair order ($0), TSB 19-NA-206, prior NHTSA complaint, previous TAC CASE: 9-6623251184.

NHTSA ODI #11696632

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I have owned this vehicle less than 5 years and it has had the "Shift to Park" error 3 times and has now been replaced 3 times. The 2nd time was in August 2023 and yesterday it had to be replaced again. I don't understand how a part can fail this rapidly when the vehicle is only being driven approximately 10,000 miles per year…

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I have owned this vehicle less than 5 years and it has had the "Shift to Park" error 3 times and has now been replaced 3 times. The 2nd time was in August 2023 and yesterday it had to be replaced again. I don't understand how a part can fail this rapidly when the vehicle is only being driven approximately 10,000 miles per year. It only has 82,445 miles. I would like for GM to issue a recall for this issue or advise who the manufacturer is of the Switch part number 84955381 and Harness part number 84733196. The parts are not that expensive but the labor to replace was $ 462.50 and total parts was $ 55.56 on the invoice yesterday. As this is an ongoing issue I would like reimbursement. I am widowed and living on one income.

NHTSA ODI #11696569

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2025
Electrical System

SHIFT TO PARK WARNING IS COMING ON WHEN CAR IS CLEARLY IN PARK. HAVE TO JIGGLE GEAR SHIFT TO GET IT TO GO OFF. IT IS JUST RANDOM. SOMETIMES STAYS ON. I AM READING THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE GEAR SHIFT.

NHTSA ODI #11696359

113,000 miles · Oct 27, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the shift to park message was displayed while the vehicle was in park. Neither an independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing. The veh…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the shift to park message was displayed while the vehicle was in park. Neither an independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:17V516000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #11695871

126,000 miles · Oct 23, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and made an abnormal sound, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there was bl…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and made an abnormal sound, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there was black and white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission, cooling system, and fuel system failures. The dealer also determined that the engine was leaking oil. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle required several repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #11695258

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2025
Unknown Or Other

For the past 2 years I have been having a problem with the Shift to Park. It causes my vehicle to not turn completely off therefore draining the battery completely, I have gone through several new batteries because of this issue and has left me stranded needing to uber to purchase a new battery. Recently it started causing issu…

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For the past 2 years I have been having a problem with the Shift to Park. It causes my vehicle to not turn completely off therefore draining the battery completely, I have gone through several new batteries because of this issue and has left me stranded needing to uber to purchase a new battery. Recently it started causing issues with my vehicles Antilock braking system and the stability control system although I don't know if they are all related but it is causing a hazard to drive around and it it the only vehicle I own.

NHTSA ODI #11694792

Official recalls

2

18V358000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.