Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 GMC AcadiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 388 owner complaints for the 2019 GMC Acadia. Most complaints involve power train (154) and electrical system (106). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Feb 2021
Owner complaints
388
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Tires

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

TiresReported Feb 25, 2021NHTSA 21V115000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Power trainReported Oct 29, 2020NHTSA 20V668000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

388 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train154
  2. Electrical system106
  3. Engine53
  4. Steering33
  5. Service brakes16
  6. Exterior lighting10
  7. Suspension6
  8. Forward collision avoidance6
  9. Lane departure6

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
2
Injuries reported
3
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

Power train

154 reports1 crash
“While attempting to turn vehicle off, the message shift to park was given. Could not shut vehicle off! Has happened multiple times in the past, then disappears for awhile. Comes back again at will. Have seen multiple complaints on this issue falling back to a defective micro-switch within the shifter assym. Former GM tech here---”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11765518

Electrical system

106 reports2 fires
“When putting the vehicle in park to turn it off, the dash indicates that I need to put the vehicle in park. But it is in park and it will not let me shut off the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Electrical systemODI 11772881

Engine

53 reports1 fire
“I own a 2019 GMC Acadia equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine. VIN. See form above In 2025, the engine coolant thermostat failed on my vehicle and required replacement at my expense. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this may represent a recurring component problem affecting 2019 GMC Acadia vehicles and I would like NHTSA to determine whether the condition presents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. General Motors has published service information addressing thermostat-related conditions on GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the 3.6L engine. GM has also issued special coverage for an engine coolant thermostat condition on certain GM vehicles. GM’s special coverage describes a thermostat that can open at a lower temperature than intended, resulting in a malfunction indicator/check-engine light and diagnostic trouble code, and in some cases causing the engine cooling fans to continue running after the vehicle is shut off. My 2019 Acadia uses the 3.6L engine and the thermostat assembly addressed in GM’s service information. Despite this, my 2019 model year is not included in the current extended thermostat coverage. There is also a second,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026EngineODI 11765267
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 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, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800383
Acadia AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
212522$2,900399
Acadia FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050430
Acadia AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200442
  • Acadia FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Acadia AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Acadia FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Acadia AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    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

2 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
15.0%
Overall
4 / 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
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 13127Vehicle 13126
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

2019 Acadia questions

How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Acadia have?

2 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 2019 GMC Acadia problems?

Owners filed 388 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (154), electrical system (106), engine (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 GMC Acadia get?

The EPA rates the 2019 GMC Acadia at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 GMC Acadia 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026