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Model file · GMCUpdated · 10 sources

Sell your broken GMC Acadia as it sits

Which Acadia draws the most complaints? By October 10, 2026, owners had filed 854 NHTSA complaints on the 2008 Acadia, and 217 named the power train. Power train is also the top category across every Acadia year combined: 1,049 of 5,569 complaints.

A white GMC Acadia crossover in a parking lot at dusk, a black SUV behind it
Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Complaints to NHTSA, 2007-2026
5,569
Year with the most complaints
2008 (854)
Component named most
Power train (1,049)
Recall campaigns
38
Built in
Lansing, Mich. (2007-2017, 2024 on); Spring Hill, Tenn. (2017-2023)
First-generation siblings
Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Saturn Outlook

A slipping transmission or a dead engine doesn't stop a sale. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. You sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Acadia complaints by model year

These numbers are owner reports sent to NHTSA. They do not rate reliability. Recent Acadias have been out for fewer years and are still adding reports. "Recalls" counts campaigns listing that year; most campaigns span several years and other GM models.

YearComplaintsFires reportedTop three componentsRecalls
20074287Power train 144, steering 61, air bags 585
200885413Power train 217, air bags 141, steering 945
200933114Steering 97, power train 53, engine 457
20103438Steering 132, engine 69, electrical 364
201126910Steering 58, electrical 34, engine 345
20122962Structure 38, steering 36, air bags 325
20131358Electrical 31, air bags 29, power train 183
20144622Air bags 241, electrical 68, power train 216
20152433Air bags 105, steering 24, electrical 224
20162362Air bags 130, steering 23, power train 194
20177042Power train 184, electrical 156, unknown 1084
20183961Power train 129, electrical 93, unknown 932
20193862Power train 127, electrical 84, unknown 782
20201060Electrical 19, engine 17, power train 156
20211500Electrical 31, fuel/propulsion 20, brakes 182
2022-202394 (49, 45)1, 1Electrical system leads both3, 4
2024-2026136 (61, 66, 9)0Service brakes on 2024 (23) and 2025 (38)0, 0, 1

First generation, 2007-2017: the big Acadia

Per Wikipedia, the first Acadia was built at Lansing Delta Township, Michigan, on GM's Lambda platform with the Enclave, Traverse and Saturn Outlook. It used a 3.6-liter V6 and a 6-speed 6T75 automatic. The 2007 to 2016 models hold 3,597 complaints.

2007-2008: the power train

The first two years account for 361 power train complaints between them. The complaint file doesn't say which part inside the transmission or axle owners meant. Early recalls on these years hit other systems: 07V062000 reprograms a 2007 air bag module that might keep the front bags from deploying, and 08V410000 replaces wiper linkage parts on 2007-2008 SUVs in certain states.

2009-2011: steering takes over

Steering leads on the 2009, 2010 and 2011, with 287 complaints across those three years. The 2010 alone has 132. The 2009 also has 14 complaints reporting a fire, the most of any Acadia year.

2012-2016: structure, electrical, then air bags

The 2013 refresh, Wikipedia says, took the bodyshell of the discontinued Saturn Outlook. On the 2014, 241 of 462 complaints name the air bags. Two big recalls apply. 14V118000 covers 2008-2013 models with rising resistance in the side air bag wiring; dealers solder the connections. Its 1,176,407 vehicles include the Enclave, Traverse and Outlook. 23V334000 covers 2014-2017 models whose driver inflator may explode during deployment, NHTSA's notice says. That campaign's 995,085 vehicles also include the Enclave and Traverse.

Second generation, 2017-2023: smaller and Tennessee-built

GMC shrank the Acadia to a mid-size crossover and moved it to Spring Hill, Tennessee. It kept building the old design as the 2017 Acadia Limited until March 31, 2017. Engines were a 2.5-liter four (2017-2021), a 2.0-liter turbo four (2020-2023) and the optional 3.6 V6. A 6-speed automatic ran through 2019; by 2022 every engine had a 9-speed.

The 2017 drew 704 complaints, the second most of any year. Power train leads 2017, 2018 and 2019, with 440 complaints between them, and electrical runs close behind. On 2019-2020 Acadias, recall 20V668000 inspects the start-stop transmission accumulator for missing bolts. It covers 194,105 vehicles across many GM models. Recall 22V709000 replaces badly crimped rear camera cables on 2020-2021 Acadias with Surround Vision.

Third generation, 2024 on

Production moved back to Lansing, with a 2.5-liter turbo four and an 8-speed automatic. The 2024 and 2025 have 61 and 66 complaints, led by service brakes. These are the youngest Acadias, so the counts will keep moving.

How to sell an Acadia that won't run

  1. Note what you have: VIN and miles, front- or all-wheel drive, and any Denali or Limited badge. Say what's wrong and whether it rolls.
  2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Say where it is parked. A garage, street, driveway or repair shop is fine. We need to know if it can be put in Neutral.
  4. Keep the Acadia whole, with its catalytic converter and wheels still on. Anything already pulled changes the offer, so mention it.
  5. When we load the Acadia, hand our driver the Acadia title and show an ID. Spare keys help too. Check after you sell for your state's plate rules.

Worth fixing first?

Compare a written repair quote with the going price for a running Acadia like yours.

  • Transmission or power train on a 2007-2008 or 2017-2019? Those are the years where that category leads. The bad transmission guide helps you weigh it.
  • Air bag light or a deployed bag on a 2008-2017? Run the VIN at NHTSA first; open recall work is free.
  • Steering trouble on a 2009-2011? Have a mechanic look before deciding the Acadia is finished.
  • Quote bigger than the car's value? Read repairs cost more than it's worth.

Comparing GMC crossovers and SUVs? See the Terrain, Envoy and Yukon, or every GMC we cover.

Questions people ask

Which Acadia model years have the most NHTSA complaints?
As of October 10, 2026, NHTSA showed the 2008 Acadia first with 854. Next came the 2017 (704), the 2014 (462) and the 2007 (428). The 2024 and later Acadias are barely broken in, so their low numbers will grow.
Is my Acadia in the driver air bag inflator recall?
Recall 23V334000 covers certain 2014-2017 Acadias, Enclaves and Traverses. NHTSA's notice says the driver's inflator may explode during deployment, and dealers replace the driver's air bag module free of charge. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and it will show you.
Is a 2017 Acadia first or second generation?
It can be either. GMC built the old, larger design as the 2017 Acadia Limited until March 31, 2017, while the smaller second generation started that same model year. Check the badge and the size.
Will you buy an Acadia with a transmission that's gone?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Let us know if the Acadia will shift to Neutral and roll.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), GMC Acadia, downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  2. EPA fuel economy data: GMC Acadia model years and versions fueleconomy.gov
  3. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 07V062000: front air bag sensing module, 2007 nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 08V410000: wiper linkage, 2007-2008 nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 14V118000: side air bag wiring connections, 2008-2013 nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 23V334000: driver air bag inflator, 2014-2017 nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 20V668000: start-stop transmission accumulator, 2019-2020 nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 22V709000: rearview camera cables, 2020-2021 nhtsa.gov
  10. Wikipedia: GMC Acadia (generations, engines, plants) en.wikipedia.org