Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 GMC Acadia problems
Owners filed 858 complaints about the 2008 GMC Acadia with NHTSA between Oct 2007 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is power train (279).
Complaints
858
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
38
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train279
- Air bags154
- Electrical system154
- Steering133
- Engine124
- Structure87
- Electronic stability control (esc)57
- Exterior lighting47
- Vehicle speed control36
- Service brakes25
- Visibility23
- Engine and engine cooling20
- Suspension16
- Seat belts14
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
25
21
27
30
47
156
169
101
71
56
40
51
27
9
11
5
5
1
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 25 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2012 | 47 |
| 2013 | 156 |
| 2014 | 169 |
| 2015 | 101 |
| 2016 | 71 |
| 2017 | 56 |
| 2018 | 40 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
279 reports3 crashes
“Check engine light came on for the TCM. Car has had issues shifting (very rough shifting) and the manual shift option does not work. Was told the TCM had to be replaced. Attempt was made to replace it with a refurbished TCM but that couldn't be programmed to the car. Was then told I would have to buy a brand new one, which is very expensive, and that there was no guarantee that would fix the problem. Car can not be driven over 20mph without risking burning up the transmission. Car also jerks forward very hard when trying to gently accelerate.”
Air bags
154 reports12 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side air bags deployed; however, the vehicle was not involved in a crash. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the starter was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Electrical system
154 reports2 crashes3 fires2 related recalls
“Lift gate closes by itself I have to put a pole to hold it up and it won’t hit me, it says the air bags needs to be serviced, stabilitrak keeps going off, ball bearing needs work. Radio won’t turn on no sound on air signals, the body chasis something popped while driving, the tracking control keeps turning off, the seats move while driving, catalytic converter are moving car only go 12 mpg.”
Steering
133 reports6 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel locked up. The contact's father, who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed that the power steering assist and rack and pinion were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,028.”
Engine
124 reports3 crashes3 fires
“The car would not shift causing me to pull over on the side of a highway to restart the car this happened 5 times in a row b4 the car would shift into proper gear”
Structure
87 reports3 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“THERE IS WATER THAT COMES DOWN INTO THE WIRING HARNESS OF ALL OF THE DOORS. I AM ABLE TO TAKE THE WIRING HARNESSES OFF AND TONS OF WATER DUMPS OUT. THIS HAS CORRODED MANY OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE CORROSION HAS LED TO LOCKS WINDOWS MIRRORS AND SPEAKERS NOT WORKING. PLEASE RECALL THIS.....”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.