2016 GMC Acadia Complaints

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/08/2026

Transmission torque converter required replacement

ENGINE — Filed 04/28/2025

Technician told me the engine "grenaded itself". "Cylinder #4 melted into the side walls of the cylinder wall caused by air to fuel mix ratio controlled by the ECU failure to mix appropriately." My family and I were traveling for Easter and were stranded on the side of the highway. I had a private repair shop (Greenville Auto Clinic LLC) confirm as well as the local dealership Greenville Chevy. The vehicle required an engine replacement. I did contact GMC's Zone Manager out of Atlanta, GA for assistance, he reduced the bill from over 10,000 down to 6098. There was no error messaging, only an engine that would not respond to the accelerator pedal. The engine would try to accelerate, but struggled to the point it would die when I applied too much pressure on the gas pedal.

SEAT BELTS — Filed 05/18/2026

The cable that attaches the front driver seatbelt to the base of the seat (left side), suddenly broke when simply buckling the belt.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/03/2025

TRANSMISSION BEGAN HESITATING AROUND 1800RPM WITH ONLY 92,000 MILES SHOWING ON THE ODOMETER. IT FEELS LIKE A FLUTTER AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE HEARD THE 2016 YEAR GROUP HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BELIEVE A RECALL IS JUSTIFIED.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/05/2026

Without warning transmission overheated, blew out fluid and caught the front end of the vehicle on fire

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/06/2026

The torque converter has been going since before I bought this vehicle. When the RPMs are between one and two, the entire vehicle starts shaking and there is no acceleration. This is a huge safety concern, especially with traffic.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 04/08/2026

Hello. I got a recall and fixed in July 2021 for Blind Spot Sensors/Modules on my 2016 GMC Acadia SLT. Now 3.5 years later Im having the same issue with these sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car, they get water damage, corrosion, and then fail. A very poor design. And seems like the recall didn't fixed the issue either. This must to be a common issue for this car, lots of complaints online even after the recall. And the car dealership wont cover it because it was already fixed at that time and my warranty on my car expired not to long ago. They said it would be about 2000 to fix. I feel like this prematurely failed and it was recalled once for the same issue but now failed again is crazy after 3.5 years. This shouldn't be a on going thing especially after a recall. I shouldn't have to pay for this outta my own pocket for a flawed design and would like my repairs for this to be covered again. Please help. Attached is a invoice from July of 2021 recall that was repaired. I only got a verbal estimate from the dealership (text messages) which I do have. saying that it would be a 2000 fix this time. I didn't go through with it because I feel like it should be covered. Attached pictures of sensor/module in rear bumper that is corroded. Lights on both side mirrors will come on and stay on. Won't shut off. Messages on dash saying "Service Side Dectection System". Blind zone setting won't shut off.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/31/2023

Safety recall that has not been addressed by the dealership in over 4 months

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/23/2026

The shift to park. It does not want to stay in park. I feel that if it does not stay in park, the vehicle could roll forward or backwards. Yes, it was looked at by an independent service center, and they thought it was on a recall. This is a 2016 GMC Arcadia and the 2017 model and newer have this problem and were on recall. No one else has looked at it. I do not drive the vehicle that often, so it does not have many miles on it. I took it out a few weeks ago and I noticed it.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/01/2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 GMC Acadia on February 28, 2026. After purchasing the vehicle, the contact obtained a Carfax report and discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was purchased at an auction. The dealer agreed to refund a portion of the cost of the vehicle. The contact attempted several times to contact the dealer afterwards but was unsuccessful. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 92,400, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 192,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/01/2023

I have a recall on this vehicle that GMC has failed to provide me parts/repair and this recall will be 3 years old in June. I have emailed the local dealer, the manager of the local dealer, GM corporate, and no one has followed through. The best I came to getting the repair was that Corporate made sure I had an appointment and dealer had my part, I went to that appt at my local dealer in Jan 2025 (Premiere GMC of Carlsbad, CA) and waited 2 hours with cars ahead of me (even thought I had an appt) only to be told the part was not there, they would order it and get back to me. Happy to [provide proof of emailing local dealer, GM Corporate etc. with no resolution. I cannot sell my vehicle without this repair done. And I continue to drive daily in an unsafe car.

STEERING — Filed 02/02/2026

While operating my vehicle, the power steering suddenly failed without adequate warning. The steering became extremely difficult, creating a significant safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. A sudden loss of steering assist increases the risk of collision, especially at lower speeds, during turns, or in emergency maneuvers.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/18/2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 180,000. The contact stated that it was later discovered upon checking the vehicle information settings, that the mileage was 300,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/15/2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/15/2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Two local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

SEAT BELTS — Filed 08/04/2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row seat belts become inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle failed to latch as intended. An unknown dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 02/14/2024

After the air bag recall i went and had them do it and 3 days later is still coming on. Saying service air bag. And alot of people is having issues with tighen gas cap light. I have replaced everything it could be and still does it. Now i believe its a bigger problem and there is alot of ppl having the same issues. I dont remember the exact date either. This is the absolute worst vehicle ever.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/24/2025

I was in an accident and my AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. Filed claim with progressive insurance (claim # [XXX]) which they have declared the vehicle a TOTAL LOSS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/01/2025

The contact owned a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that when she had placed the vehicle in reverse (R), and was applying the accelerator pedal, all of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into her neighbor's house. The contact stated that she was rendered unconscious. The contact stated that when she recovered consciousness the police were on scene and issued her a traffic citation. The contact stated that no emergency medical personnel were called to the scene of the accident. The contact stated that she had not gone to a doctor, but she had pain in her back and had bruises on both legs and feet. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that she had called here insurance provider who had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that she had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/17/2024

I was in minor accident this past December. The airbag ruptured and cut up my face. I was extremely confused as to how this could happen and after doing a little research, I found out that the vehicle has an open recall for their air bags. I was extremely shook by this information because we were never notified for such a life threatening recall! I contacted gm over 3 weeks ago. The first person I spoke with expressed that she needed to escalate the issue to the right place and that someone would contact me. A week went by and I did not hear anything so I called, I was told that it was sent to the wrong place but they were going to make sure the matter would be sent to the correct department and that they would reach out to me within a few business days. I have not heard from another person at gm since.

SEATS — Filed 04/05/2018

ON APRIL 5, 2018, MY FAMILY AND I (FRONT PASSENGER) WERE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT MY SEAT'S LOCKING MECHANISM LOST CONTROL OF MY SEAT CAUSING ME TO BE THROWN FORWARD AND IMPACTING THE DASHBOARD, WHICH I BELIEVE CONTRIBUTED TO MY INJURY, FRACTURED L1 AND L2.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/17/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC ACADIA DENALI. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PLACING THE KIDS IN THE CAR SEAT, WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE GEAR SHIFTER IN PARK, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A PILLAR. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND CAUSED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND THE PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED. THE DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/18/2016

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, SHUT OFF, KEYS ON FRONT SEAT WITH PURSE. WENT TO SEAT BEHIND DRIVER TAKING ITEMS OUT AND WENT ABOUT DOOING MY ERRAND. BOTH DOORS LEFT OPEN. UPON RETURNING, NOTICEC VEHICLE ROLLING TOWARDS HIGHWAY. TRIED TO CATCH IT WHEN SECOND DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WENT OVER MY FOOT.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/18/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC ACADIA. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE CONTACT WALKED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. ON THE WAY BACK TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED IT ROLLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT RAN AFTER THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO STOP IT, BUT IT RAN OVER HER RIGHT FOOT, CRUSHED IT, AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY BOX. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER FOOT. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V092000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 06/21/17*LJ *CN

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 07/09/2016

2016 SLE GMC ACADIA CENTER GEAR SHIFTING COMPONENT LEVEL DOES NOT INDICATE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN. P,R,N,D,L ALL REMAIN WHITE IN COLOR DESPITE BEING IN A DIFFERENT GEAR; AN IMPROVEMENT (PERHAPS A COLOR CHANGE TO THE CURRENT GEAR) IS NEEDED. GEAR INDICATION IS CURRENTLY LOCATED ON A 2 INCH BY 3 INCH SCREEN SCREEN ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCATED WITHIN THE AVERAGE PERSONS FIELD OF VIEW OF THE INDICATION SCREEN, THUS MAKING THE INDICATION SCREEN USELESS UNTIL A MAJOR BODY ADJUSTMENT, UP OR DOWN, IS MADE. POOR INDICATION OF CURRENT GEAR AND THE SIZE OF GEAR INDICATION NEED TO BE DRASTICALLY IMPROVED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL GEAR SELECTION WHICH WOULD RESULT IN WRECKS AND LOST OF LIFE.