Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2014 GMC AcadiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 468 owner complaints for the 2014 GMC Acadia. Most complaints involve air bags (246) and electrical system (91). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
468
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bagsReported May 10, 2023NHTSA 23V334000

Air bags: critical fasteners

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Air bagsReported Apr 8, 2021NHTSA 21V246000

Electrical system

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Electrical systemReported Oct 1, 2014NHTSA 14V614000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

468 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags246
  2. Electrical system91
  3. Engine46
  4. Power train35
  5. Steering26
  6. Exterior lighting20
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)20
  8. Fuel/propulsion system19
  9. Service brakes10

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
2019388
2020106
2021155
202252
202349
202461
202569
202610
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

246 reports8 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, Stabili-Trak, and the air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure was associated with a recent air bag replacement recall repair. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer declined to inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the failure was not associated with the recall repair. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on the same day that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bag). The failure had occurred while driving from the dealer lot. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Air bagsODI 11763026

Electrical system

91 reports1 crash1 fire
“On Sunday June 7, 2026 my husband drove our 2014 GMC Acadia to work. We both work at MSY - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for United Airlines. After he parked in the employee garage that is located in at the old terminal and got on the employee shuttle, the passenger tail light sparked a fire. Airport operations responded with the fire department that is stationed at the airport.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11743724

Engine

46 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while in park(P), the vehicle rolled, requiring the driver to turn off and restart the vehicle, and the vehicle successfully shifted in park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle shut off, and the steering wheel and the wheels locked up. The contact was barely able to pull over to the side of the road, where the contact waited before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the Check Engine warning light was recently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics, where several diagnostic trouble codes associated with the transmission and the transmission module and solenoid were retrieved. The contact was then referred to a transmission specialist, where the vehicle was towed and was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11744114
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 28, 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 FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400465
Acadia AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550484
  • Acadia FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Acadia AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
GMC Acadia SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
GMC Acadia SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
5 / 5
GMC Acadia Denali SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
GMC Acadia Denali SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 8032Vehicle 8031Vehicle 8034
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

2014 Acadia questions

How many recalls does the 2014 GMC Acadia have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2014 GMC Acadia problems?

Owners filed 468 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (246), electrical system (91), engine (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 GMC Acadia get?

The EPA rates the 2014 GMC Acadia at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 GMC Acadia 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026