Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2015 GMC AcadiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 261 owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Acadia. Most complaints involve air bags (108) and steering (33). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
261
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 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 Apr 14, 2022NHTSA 22V246000

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
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

261 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2015 – Aug 2026
  1. Air bags108
  2. Steering33
  3. Electrical system32
  4. Power train23
  5. Engine19
  6. Exterior lighting16
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)13
  8. Seat belts9
  9. Fuel/propulsion system9

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
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
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

Air bags

108 reports4 crashes
“I have pictures the seat, the airbag in the seat.The driver's seatIt didn't come through the seat, but it deployed or ruptured.But it didn't bust through the seat.It's like a big bubble. I was just driving and I heard a pop but it didn't come through the seat. It left the lump in the seat. I still think it's dangerous, cuz. It's busted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2025Air bags, SeatsODI 11687789

Steering

33 reports1 crash
“Not inspected by anyone else because they have no idea where to look because the light and actions happen on and off. Warning light and message appears. Service Traction Control and service Stabilink Light yes I will bring it in. It will turn on randomly at this point for about 4 months and the brakes are locking up the wheels while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2024Steering, Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11587650

Electrical system

32 reports3 fires
“2015 gmc Acadia, vin ending 7457,p2635,stuttering/hesitation and engine stalling when Arizona temperatures exceed 100* f , and mechanic advising that the condition corresponded to a known gmc issue for which they could not obtain an applicable corrective part / repair”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11758928
All 2015 Acadia problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard 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$3,400476
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
    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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 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 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%
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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 9050Vehicle 9049Vehicle 9052
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

2015 Acadia questions

How many recalls does the 2015 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 2015 GMC Acadia problems?

Owners filed 261 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (108), steering (33), electrical system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 GMC Acadia get?

The EPA rates the 2015 GMC Acadia at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 GMC Acadia 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026