When I put my car in park and try to turn my vehicle off I get an error message saying “shift to park.” The problem is the car is already in park and I am unable to turn the off. I usually have to start the car back and drive back and forth before the car actually recognizes it is in park. Im concerned for my safety.
2019 GMC Acadia
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2019 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
Limited mileage data: 83 of 384 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
52 reportsGear shift notification problem. Unable to turn engine off after receiving "Shift to Park" message and the gear shift is visibly in the "Park" position. In addition, the doors would not lock. My wife was forced to stay in the unlocked running car in a store parking lot for 25 minutes, until the car just "turned off" on its own…
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Gear shift notification problem. Unable to turn engine off after receiving "Shift to Park" message and the gear shift is visibly in the "Park" position. In addition, the doors would not lock. My wife was forced to stay in the unlocked running car in a store parking lot for 25 minutes, until the car just "turned off" on its own. Unsafe for a woman (or anyone) to have to do at 10:30pm. This puts drivers in a really vulnerable position. Vehicle taken to dealer Jan 30, 2023. Was told they were familiar with the problem.
Steering Assist reduced drive with care" displayed on screen when I was driving. The temp gauge stayed on C, Heat works fine, Happened for a few days.
Every time I go to turn off the engine it say shift to park and then I have to restart the truck and keep putting the shifter into park a couple of times for it to not happen.
About five months ago, my GMC Acadia started displaying a warning when I would put the car in park, and try to turn it off. The engine would shut off, but the electrical portion of the car would stay on, and would not turn off, because the warning displaying said "SHIFT TO PARK". I have tried every conceivable way to try to get …
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About five months ago, my GMC Acadia started displaying a warning when I would put the car in park, and try to turn it off. The engine would shut off, but the electrical portion of the car would stay on, and would not turn off, because the warning displaying said "SHIFT TO PARK". I have tried every conceivable way to try to get this to go off, but nothing works. My car has stay on for upwards of two and a half hours, to the point where my battery died in the car and left me stranded. There have been numerous accounts of this, as I had read them on forums, yet still no resolution has been published. I have tried taking it to be inspected, but nothing ever comes up. I have two very small children, and if I were to be in public and be stranded because my car wouldn't turn off.... I would be livid.. Also, because of this warning, it prevents the doors from being locked. That is another major concern for me, considering the day in age we're in.
My vehicle would not turn completely off, I would have to start it about ten times before the warning sounds and the yellow light on the ignition switch would go off. I took my Acadia to Rod Hatfield Chevrolet Lexington, KY. I was told that there was an internal short with the transmission shifter, the shifter and harness would …
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My vehicle would not turn completely off, I would have to start it about ten times before the warning sounds and the yellow light on the ignition switch would go off. I took my Acadia to Rod Hatfield Chevrolet Lexington, KY. I was told that there was an internal short with the transmission shifter, the shifter and harness would need to be replaced. considering that I purchased this vehicle new, and it has 39,793 miles I feel like it should have been covered under the warranty however, it cost me $903.3. I have an open case with GMC who suggested that I contact you to see if my Vehicle Identification Number could be added to for recall.
I purchased my vehicle brand new off the truck in march of 2020 with zero miles on it. Feb 2021 in negative degree weather, the heat on my vehicle stopped working. I called my local GM dealership and they told me they needed to diagnosed the vehicle. They had kept my vehicle for two weeks trying to diagnose the vehicle. It turn…
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I purchased my vehicle brand new off the truck in march of 2020 with zero miles on it. Feb 2021 in negative degree weather, the heat on my vehicle stopped working. I called my local GM dealership and they told me they needed to diagnosed the vehicle. They had kept my vehicle for two weeks trying to diagnose the vehicle. It turned out to be the thermostat. they replaced that part on my vehicle. Now Dec 2021 I again have experienced the same problem this time it was in a blizzard. Dealership told me it cant be the same problem, however it will be another two weeks before they can get my vehicle in for service and do not have a loaner vehicles for use. I purchased a new vehicle with warranty as I have two small children and am currently pregnant.
DURING TAKEOFF WITH MODERATE ACCELERATION AROUND 1500-2000 RPM THERE IS AN EXHAUST DRONING/BUZZING SOUND FORWARD OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE, THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT AFTER 6 MONTHS THE SAME SOUND RETURNED. THE SECOND TIME THEY TRIED TO LOOSEN AND RETIGHTEN THE…
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DURING TAKEOFF WITH MODERATE ACCELERATION AROUND 1500-2000 RPM THERE IS AN EXHAUST DRONING/BUZZING SOUND FORWARD OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE, THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT AFTER 6 MONTHS THE SAME SOUND RETURNED. THE SECOND TIME THEY TRIED TO LOOSEN AND RETIGHTEN THE EXHAUST BUT THE SOUND RETURNED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE DRONING SOUND IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR AFTER EXHAUST IS WARMED UP.
WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE EXHAUST OR ENGINE IS REALLY LOUD LIKE THERE'S AN EXHAUST LEAK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RANCHO GRANDE MOTORS LOCATED AT 1404 AUTO PARK WAY, SAN LUI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RANCHO GRANDE MOTORS LOCATED AT 1404 AUTO PARK WAY, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS COMMON WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES. THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DVD WOULD TURN ON IT. THE DEALER STATED IT COULD BE DUE TO A MISSING REMOTE THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEADREST DVD PLAYER DO NOT PLAY THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. THE WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER WAS OFTEN INOPERABLE. THE SECOND GEAR DOES THE NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE DASH AND RADIO PERIODICALLY LOSE POWER. THE WINDOWS MAKE A LOUD OBNOXIOUS NOISE WHEN ROLLED DOWN. *JS
Official recalls
221V115000 · Tires
Feb 25, 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Oct 29, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
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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