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2021 GMC Acadia

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 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

Limited mileage data: 27 of 149 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

While driving, error popped up stating steering assist is reduced; drive with caution. Heat was no longer working. Engine temp was reading cold even though vehicle had been running for half hour and temp outside was 65 F. After vehicle was stopped, engine fan ran very loudly for at least 15 minutes. Took vehicle in to have diagn…

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While driving, error popped up stating steering assist is reduced; drive with caution. Heat was no longer working. Engine temp was reading cold even though vehicle had been running for half hour and temp outside was 65 F. After vehicle was stopped, engine fan ran very loudly for at least 15 minutes. Took vehicle in to have diagnostics ran, and received error P0128 pointing to faulty engine coolant thermostat and sensor. Also received U0401 indicating insufficient data coming from ECM/PCM. I was told that together with U0401 and P0128 together indicate a communication problem between control modules. Check engine light was never on.

NHTSA ODI #11694926

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

Car was parked overnight in my garage and in the morning it would turn over, but not start. Had to have it towed to my GMC dealer, but had great difficulty moving the car out of the garage because the transmission remains in PARK if the engine is not running. Had this happened on a highway while driving and without a place to sa…

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Car was parked overnight in my garage and in the morning it would turn over, but not start. Had to have it towed to my GMC dealer, but had great difficulty moving the car out of the garage because the transmission remains in PARK if the engine is not running. Had this happened on a highway while driving and without a place to safely get off the road ( which HAS happened to others who have made this same complaint to NHTSA), this could have been an extremely hazardous situation for the occupants of the vehicle. The engine will suddenly shut down, power steering is lost, and power braking will also be lost. This problem was diagnosed as a failed fuel pump module. The failed part was replaced by the dealer (GM part#13554820). The service manager acknowledged that this is a known and common issue and that GM is aware of it but has not issued a voluntary recall. The manager also advised that this part has not been updated and that it may fail again without warning. Please....this is a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed before someone is injured or killed while abandoning a car stalled in traffic that cannot be moved.

NHTSA ODI #11679168

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2025
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

Instrument cluster malfunction. Entire instrument cluster blacking out every 60 seconds, then rebooting nonstop while driving. While this was occurring, none of the advanced driver assistance systems functioned, nor did the speedometer or other gauges. This occurred while on a trip, and meant having to travel a long distance wit…

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Instrument cluster malfunction. Entire instrument cluster blacking out every 60 seconds, then rebooting nonstop while driving. While this was occurring, none of the advanced driver assistance systems functioned, nor did the speedometer or other gauges. This occurred while on a trip, and meant having to travel a long distance without having emergency braking, collision warnings or the ability to monitor speed. The car was taken to local dealer and they replaced the entire instrument cluster.

NHTSA ODI #11679159

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2025
Electrical System

The fuel pump control module failed, 2021Acadia Denali First time, 9/22/21 8073 miles, the car was parked at the residence under the car port, when needed, the car would not start. No check engine or other indicators. Car was towed to dealer for repairs under warranty. Second time, 10/6/23 31879 miles, we were driving the car …

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The fuel pump control module failed, 2021Acadia Denali First time, 9/22/21 8073 miles, the car was parked at the residence under the car port, when needed, the car would not start. No check engine or other indicators. Car was towed to dealer for repairs under warranty. Second time, 10/6/23 31879 miles, we were driving the car on a rural road, 55 mph speed limit with no shoulders when the car stopped in a curve. Had to flag down cars to keep them from hitting us for an hour till the wrecker loader it on the truck to take back to same dealership for warranty repairs. Third time, 7/29/25 48199 miles, we were again on a rural road 55 mph speed limit when the car stopped with my 71 year old wife alone in the car, again in a curve. This time there was a check engine light. I drove my truck to pick her up and assist her until the wrecker came. This time with luck I was able to restart the car and I followed her to our home where the tow truck picked it up and brought it to the same dealership for the third time for repairs under warranty. All three times the culprit was the fuel pump control module. Each time it was the same code in the ECM. Each time the dealership said they did a full check on the fuel system, pump, etc. and only replaced the fuel pump control module.

NHTSA ODI #11678212

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2025
Electrical System

The Radio in my 2021 GMC Acadia had to be replaced due to an UPDATE Failure. I had to pay $221.32 for diagnostic and $1,580.18 for a new Radio. My Husband and I are the original owners of the 2021 GMC Acadia. My Dissatisfaction is why are some GMC products under recall for this issue but my 2021 GMC Acadia not part of…

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The Radio in my 2021 GMC Acadia had to be replaced due to an UPDATE Failure. I had to pay $221.32 for diagnostic and $1,580.18 for a new Radio. My Husband and I are the original owners of the 2021 GMC Acadia. My Dissatisfaction is why are some GMC products under recall for this issue but my 2021 GMC Acadia not part of the recall. The Hands free calling was not working, the GPS and also affected the back up Camera. all of these . a response is requested

NHTSA ODI #11663955

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

On numerous occasions the key fob is not detected and locked out of vehicle. Key fob notice on panel saying it’s not detected while driving. Took it to Jim Causley GMC dealer several times and then they kept vehicle for a week unable to duplicate and sent me on my way. This is still happening with no help.

NHTSA ODI #11656763

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

While driving all displays, gauges, screens shut off. Unable to determine speed or anything. Car still drives but there is zero driver feedback. System will come back on and the it will happen again. Has been going on for 2 years. Dealer unable to determine the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11650979

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2025
Electrical SystemLane DeparturePower Train

Vehicle gives, “Driver assist reduced Drive with care” warning randomly. Lane change will no longer work and engine light will come on. Problem is sporadic and does not stay active. Engine light will shut off after a day. Once vehicle is shut off cooling fan runs extremely loud and for a long period of time draining battery.

NHTSA ODI #11650976

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2025
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle from the day I purchased it. I should have been more leery of purchasing a vehicle with so few miles on it as a certified vehicle. First issue lift gate wouldn’t work. Had to have sensors replaced twice. Next was the purge valve sensor that has went bad 3 separate times. Then the c…

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I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle from the day I purchased it. I should have been more leery of purchasing a vehicle with so few miles on it as a certified vehicle. First issue lift gate wouldn’t work. Had to have sensors replaced twice. Next was the purge valve sensor that has went bad 3 separate times. Then the crankcase vent sensor. Paid a fee for diagnostics, it was not repaired took it back when the engine light came back on, they replaced it without charging but I was advised it’s not covered under warranty. And most recently my check engine light came on yet again today now reading an issue with the engine cooling system. Unfortunately the dealer is so booked out, my only option is to drop it off and hope they can get it in by a cancellation or no show. Seems there are new issues ever 3-6 months with the car.

NHTSA ODI #11648891

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2025
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I was traveling in my 2021 gmc Acadia in which I have had numerous issues with is the almost 4 years I have owned it. The back up camera 2 weeks after purchase it went out in June of 2021. After that The vehicle In October of 2021 I get in the vehicle on rainy day. Infotainment systems reads error with the SD card that Issue pro…

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I was traveling in my 2021 gmc Acadia in which I have had numerous issues with is the almost 4 years I have owned it. The back up camera 2 weeks after purchase it went out in June of 2021. After that The vehicle In October of 2021 I get in the vehicle on rainy day. Infotainment systems reads error with the SD card that Issue progressed I called dealer finally I get service appointment after strike and my vehicle sits at Roger’s Pontiac GMC 2660 Michigan Ave Chicago IL 60616 for 10 hours now I placed thread around the crowl and by knob. Car was not touched I was told it was a internal issue and that the GM Engineers would need to replace the infotainment system They looked at it again In November of 2022 No closer to finding a problem I called Gmc Because by now My Temperature coolant sensor was working then not working car would say reduced parking assist and then if hot Air conditioning wouldn’t work I Called GMC offices filed numerous complaints. They called the service manager no one would take calls nothing would get done. So [XXX]I’m Driving down [XXX] heading east a big Truck flys off of [XXX] slams into side of my SUV Destroys every panel on passengers side of vehicle The Acadia mine with all the curtain air bags in the a pillar in ceiling on the front and back seats on top Side and bottom side not one deploys not even on the A pillar where rear passengers door is ripped off. I was knocked out if anyone was in them 2 seats like my 2 kids that are always with me [XXX] they could have been killed no safety bags deployed? I basically begged for auto to be repaired of electrical issues when only 2000 miles on it with 900 miles on it GMC I called every week for almost 2 years no help now this! I was injured have not much memory of accident. This auto needs be taken off road I deserve like I asked for when new same car just without issues I could have been killed but no one cared. Now look no air bag INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11647636

Official recalls

2

22V709000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 22, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.

21V422000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 3, 2021

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.

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

1

PE22006 · Rear-View Camera Failure

Opened Jul 22, 2022 · Closed Nov 21, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-006) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in Model Year (MY) 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The complaints report that the screen for the RVC is black, sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it. To date, ODI has received a total of 18 complaints and several EWR Field Reports with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle is in reverse. The reports have been received over the past 28 months with most occurring with low vehicle mileage.During the investigation, ODI learned incorrect crimping specifications were utilized in the production of the coaxial cable connector. Improper crimping leads to loss of connection between the RVC and dashboard screen that results in failure of the RVC image to display. Failure or malfunction of the RVC image to display results in reduced visibility of the area behind the vehicle. This limited view may lead to an increased risk of incidents resulting in injury and/or property damage while the vehicle is in reverse.The improperly crimped connectors were only present on subject vehicles equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature (UV2). Vehicles not equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature were not affected by this failure. On September 28, 2022, General Motors (GM) filed a defect information report (NHTSA number 22V-709) recalling certain MY2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature (UV2). GM will replace the coaxial cables with properly crimped connectors.In view of the recall action being taken by GM, ODI is closing this preliminary evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov. The ODI identification numbers for the complaints cited above can be found below: 11343838, 11390254, 11406709, 11415261, 11415501, 11425365, 11429267, 11431846, 11446363, 11463278, 11463901, 11471702, 11475437, 11476809, 11477176, 11481806, 11484360, and 11484360.