Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 GMC Acadia problems

Owners filed 106 complaints about the 2020 GMC Acadia with NHTSA between Nov 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (29).

Complaints
106
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine29
  2. Electrical system28
  3. Power train22
  4. Steering20
  5. Fuel/propulsion system9
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Forward collision avoidance8
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Back over prevention3
  10. Seat belts3
  11. Visibility/wiper3
  12. Air bags3
  13. Lane departure3
  14. Fuel system, gasoline2

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20192
20208
20218
202210
202311
202411
202522
202634

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

29 reports
“Engine thermostat not functioning properly, therefore the display stayed on cold and would not show temp. It also cause the fan to run fast to cool engine. The AC would not cool and reduce power steering assist error message comes on. This is a known problem by GM and there is a recall for this issue on many of these vehicles, other GMC and Cadillac vehicles. Our vehicle should be added to the recall list!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Steering, EngineODI 11768037

Electrical system

28 reports1 crash
“Receive error message about Power steering that shuts off AC and Temperature gauges. Happens constantly when vehicle is driven on freeway. Requires the battery to be disconnected and it resets until the next time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Electrical systemODI 11765941

Power train

22 reports1 related recall
“2020 GMC Acadia bucks/hesitates when I take off or slow down and speed back up. Mechanic looked at it can see engine is having random misfires. We have tried plugs, transmission fluid, looked at everything we could think of. The condition improves if I put into AWD but still exists and worsens for a period of time after it shifts back into FWD mode. My mechanic has done a lot of research and found that one possible issue was a stretched timing chain but since it is out of warranty I just couldn't afford to have them tear it down it is an enormous job to see if that was the issue. It also lines up with other known issues like the auto stop issues and possibly a fuel pump issue. I have seen many people complaining online about this particular issue but not many on here and no recalls on my vehicle regarding the known issues”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11765876

Steering

20 reports
“Thermostat housing failed. Got the message of "Steering Assist Is Reduced – Drive With Care". Have seen this numerous times in message boards. Has been reproduced. Safety is put at risk with the steering assist reduced. Mine happened on an highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026SteeringODI 11768830

Fuel/propulsion system

9 reports
“I believe my car should be included in this recall. I've had the dealer check and they say it's nothing wrong with my car. 2020 GMC Acadia Fuel Pump Recall GMC has announced that 2781 vehicles have been affected by a Fuel Pump recall. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine. Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. 2020 GMC Acadia Recall Fuel Pump GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11746751

Service brakes

8 reports
“While driving my 2020 GMC Acadia SLT AWD Turbo with my young daughters in the vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly and sporadically lost all hydraulic pressure and sank nearly all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle would only gradually roll to a slow stop. Simultaneously, the dashboard illuminated with ABS and Service ESC notifications. After turning the vehicle completely off and restarting it, the braking system temporarily reverted to normal function before randomly failing again on a subsequent drive. The vehicle was brought to a local brake shop where it was dangerously misdiagnosed, and it is currently at a GMC dealership for an emergency teardown. Previously, without any warning, the vehicle would also experience a brake failure upon backing out of my garage. Once the brake was immediately pressed again, it would work. This intermittent loss of total stopping power constitutes a severe, life-threatening manufacturing defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Service brakesODI 11763346
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.