Problems · by component
2009 GMC Acadia engine problems
67 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 GMC Acadia cite engine, 20% of all 333 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
67
20% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“There was a recall for gmc premature timing chain engine recall. This recall was complete in 2011 but it did not fix the problem. The timing chain keeps breaking off the cam shaft sensor and needs to be replaced.”
“The stabilizer/traction control keeps going off and it will stay off.i can turn,hit a bump or start it up and the traction control/stabilizer system is off.i almost had a accident on the freeway in the rain because it turned off out of nowhere and I almost lost control. Also I was going down the road and all of a sudden my vehicle died and I had little control over vehicle. Once it came to stop it would not start again and when attempting it sounded like something was stuck in my fan or something because of the way it rattled and sounded and was rough sounding. Vehicle was inoperable and had to be towed. Upon investigating it was the timing chain kit that had failed suddenly for no apparent reason. Vehicle was well maintained and kept accordance with running policies and practices required and suggested by manufacturer. Still the failing caused engine damage that is well in to the several thousands of dollars and engine must be replaced due to this issue failing and I have noticed several thousand people having this same very issue and rendering them a foot and vehicle less due to the high cost of fixing without any warning or engine light or code suggesting of…”
“Got code po0008 crank sensor/cam did resurch said timming chain replaced complete chain still noisey changed cam phasers and sensors still making noise it is so frustrating bee going on 3 weeks I'm disabled not easy to work on myself being I'm a master technician and this has really been mind boggling”
“The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while driving at 45 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast the vehicle to a stop as the vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts. The contact's husband inspected the engine and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact's husband replaced the crank shaft position sensor, purge valve, high pressure tank, fuel pump, and battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact then towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it diagnosed with engine failure due to the timing chain, and a cylinder #1 and #5 defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle related to the engine. The vehicle remained in possession of the mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was 194,726.”
“1.)What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A.) To start with i went in to the dealership for a timing chain recall they said the work was performed. This was never done all they did was replace ECU from an older car so that the code would not come back (REPLACED WITH A 2002 ECU) to get rid of the timing chain recall code. this code never existed in 2002..Complete negligence these SUV could hurt or kill someone B.)Huge Electrical issue suv stops on its own while driving. Sometimes does not start at all. can not pass emission for the life of it .. new codes all the time i have replaced just about Every sensor and switch there is.. . this is a money pit and death trap.. C.) The Investigation NHTSA should have included the Lambda Frame it's the same design flaw they're trying to fix one problem with an old problem. The ones on these have this fixed tie rods, lateral arms and upper control arms the bushings will wear out eventually and repeat the bouncing up and down rocking back and forth rear end barely staying on the ground it's a very dangerous ride and you see these vehicles on the expressway on a daily…”
“I GO THROUGH HEADLIGHTS EVERY 6 MONTHS THIS LAST TIME, MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOT REPLACED AND TWO DAYS LATER IT WENT OUT AND THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED. I WENT AND GOT NEW BULB AND IT DID NOT WORK, AFTER INSPECTING THE THE WIRING WE NOTICED IT WAS BURNT UP AND NEED REPLACED, GMC SAID IT'S ON US. WE HAVE SPOKE WITH GMC ABOUT OUR ENGINE BURNING OIL WHICH THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF AND THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO HELP BUT GMC REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING MY CAR SEND A SIGNAL TELLING ME TO TURN OFF THE CAR OR STARTS MISS FIRING EVERY WHICH WAY AND GIVES CODES SAYING I NEED NEW COILS WHICH IS NOT THE CASE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF SAYING THAT THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE CALIBRATION GET OFF, IT TOOK MCDANIEL'S TO FIGURE IT OUT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP BLAMED IT ON ELECTRONICS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID NO LONGER COMES OUT PROPERLY AND NEEDS SOMETHING REPLACED SO THAT IT WILL GO UP ON THE WINDSHIELD.”
Showing 6 of 67 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.