Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2010 GMC AcadiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 348 owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Acadia. Most complaints involve steering (148) and engine (74). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
348
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

StructureReported Jun 30, 2015NHTSA 15V415000

Seat belts

Remedy pending

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Seat beltsReported May 20, 2014NHTSA 14V266000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Mar 17, 2014NHTSA 14V118000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

348 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Jun 2026
  1. Steering148
  2. Engine74
  3. Electrical system45
  4. Power train43
  5. Exterior lighting24
  6. Air bags17
  7. Engine and engine cooling10
  8. Suspension10
  9. Structure9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Acadia model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007431
2008858
2009333
2010348
2011280
2012302
2013140
2014468
2015261
2016236
2017706
2018398
2019389
2020106
2021155
202252
202349
202461
202569
202610
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

148 reports3 crashes
“Check Engine Light. Faulty timing chain. Rack and pinion repairs needed. Examined by two automotive locations: LaFontaine Automotive GMC of Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Mazur's Total Automotive in Pinckney, MI”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2022Steering, EngineODI 11493190

Engine

74 reports4 fires
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact became aware of white smoke coming from the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact and minor children exited the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, there was fire coming from underneath the hood. The Fire truck arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle had liability coverage, and the insurance company declined to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure had occurred while the contact's minor children were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. The contact and the children sustained smoke-related injuries. The contact and the children later received medical treatment for the smoke-related injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer declined to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11744975

Electrical system

45 reports3 fires
“I NOTICED BOTH OF MY DRIVING LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT AND WENT TO REPLACE. THEY ARE THE HID HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND THE DRIVING LIGHT SOCKETS AND BULBS MELTED TOGETHER RESULTING IN CRACKING THAT REFLECTOR/PROJECTION IN THE ASSEMBLY.MY VIN IS NOT THE "VIN SPECIFIC" INCLUDED IN THE SPECIAL RECALL 14283, BUT I HAVE THAT EXACT ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11266885
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Acadia AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
Acadia FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400468
  • Acadia AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Acadia FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 GMC Acadia as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5717
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Acadia questions

How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Acadia have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 GMC Acadia problems?

Owners filed 348 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (148), engine (74), electrical system (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 GMC Acadia get?

The EPA rates the 2010 GMC Acadia at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026