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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train279
  2. Air bags154
  3. Electrical system154
  4. Steering133
  5. Engine124
  6. Structure87
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)57
  8. Exterior lighting47
  9. Vehicle speed control36
  10. Service brakes25
  11. Visibility23
  12. Engine and engine cooling20
  13. Suspension16
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20073
200825
200921
201027
201130
201247
2013156
2014169
2015101
201671
201756
201840
201951
202027
20219
202211
20235
20245
20251
20263

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2023Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11535302

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2026Air bagsODI 11753151

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, WheelsODI 11663793

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2021SteeringODI 11444125

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11724309

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.....”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 11412930
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.