Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 GMC Acadia problems
Owners filed 398 complaints about the 2018 GMC Acadia with NHTSA between Apr 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (164).
Complaints
398
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train164
- Electrical system109
- Engine35
- Steering24
- Service brakes21
- Electronic stability control (esc)12
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Lane departure6
- Back over prevention5
- Suspension5
- Vehicle speed control5
- Seats5
- Seat belts4
- Wheels4
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
9
84
61
29
30
30
39
74
42
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 84 |
| 2020 | 61 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 74 |
| 2026 | 42 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
164 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle inside the garage, shifting to park(P) and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly rolled backwards approximately 3 feet. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions and the vehicle only moved backwards. During one failure, the vehicle almost struck a pedestrian walking behind it. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, but no fault codes were retrieved and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.”
Electrical system
109 reports3 crashes1 fire
“I get error electric Steering assist reduced or unavailable drive with care at around 84234 miles on my car . Upon looking up problem on Internet it has to do with the Thermostat. I also found where Gm has a bulletin N252508350 which only seems to cover certain vehicles with the same problem. This seems to happen at all different miles driven on vehicles. I don't see how Gm can get away with only fixing certain vehicles with this safety problem when it shuts down the electric steering assist . This problem from what I can find on the internet is common to all years from 2017 up in Acadia with the 3.6L engine . The Thermostats seem to be defective and I feel Gm needs to address this problem for all of these vehicles . Not just for there special bulletin N252508350 which covers some vehicles in 2021with 3.6L engines. If the engine design was like the old engines and easy to replace the Thermostat by just taking out 2 bolts , I would say no problem I will replace it .But when you have to take half the Engine apart just to replace a 20.00 part that is defective that affects the steering of the vehicle, they need to have a safety recall.”
Engine
35 reports4 crashes
“Steering assist warning comes on when I start the car and then the engine fan starts up very loudly and code PO128. My car has 48,000 miles and is a 2018. I am seeing this is a known issue and should be part of a recall so I want to know if it’s covered.”
Steering
24 reports2 crashes
“When I’m driving on the highway, I get a message on my dashboard saying steering assist reduced, drive with care. I have taken to the GMC dealership and they will not cover this repair even though it would be covered for 2021 GMC. When this happens, my car makes a loud noise and my steering wheel does not feel right. I do not feel safe.”
Service brakes
21 reports4 crashes
“The vehicle has experienced repeated electrical and engine-related malfunctions, including random engine shutdowns while driving and random no-start conditions. The thermostat and cooling system failed and were replaced in 2024. Multiple sensors have failed. The braking system remains noisy even after brake replacement. The lane detection safety system does not provide audible alerts. The vehicle is currently operational and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle has randomly shut off while driving on both highways and city roads in Azle, Texas. This occurred while my two children were in the vehicle. When the engine shut off, there was a risk of losing power steering and braking assist, which could have caused an accident, especially at highway speeds and in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The thermostat and cooling system failure were confirmed and repaired by a service center in 2024. Electrical and sensor issues have occurred repeatedly but have not been fully diagnosed or resolved. Brake noise persists despite replacement.…”
Electronic stability control (esc)
12 reports
“SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK. TURN VEHICLE OFF. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK." TURN VEHICLE BACK ON. MOVE SHIFTIER FROM PARK TO 3RD GEAR. TURN VEHICLE OFF. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK." DO THIS A FEW MORE TIMES AND IT FINALLY STOPS GIVING ME THE WARNING. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY.”
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.