47 of the 1,297 complaints about the 2008 GMC Acadia are about the lighting — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,000 miles.
47
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights don't work even after replacing. It rains in the vehicle from the sunroof. The gas tank isn't registering even after fixing it. So the engine doesn't know how much to put out etc etc and it makes the car jerk horribly. This vehicle is a fire hazard due to raining inside on everything upfront. I have kids I pray nothing happens!!
NHTSA complaint #11474831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2020. I HAVE JUST REPLACED MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OCTOBER OF 2020 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS DOESN'T WORK. ON THE DASHBOARD THE LIGHT THAT'S SUPPOSE TO SHOW WHEN YOUR BRIGHT'S ARE ON, DOESN'T COME ON ANYMORE AND I WAS IN MOTION WHEN I REALIZED THEY HAD STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11377266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT REFLECTOR MELTED ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11308057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE MADE HAS STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. THIS IS SAD THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH. I HOPE MY FAMILY IS NOT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11186045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNING UP ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS DOES NOT MATTER WHAT SIDE THEY ARE NOT LASTING
NHTSA complaint #11180936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LIGHTS ARE GOING IN AND OUT, AND THE HIGH BEAMS AS WELL AS THE TAILLIGHTS ARE DOING THE SAME. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THE STEERING SYSTEM IS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE ANY TIME THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. THE STABILITY LIGHTS AS WELL AS OTHERS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF BUT WHEN CHECKED SHOWS NOTHING IS WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #11165573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HID LIGHTS AND THE LOW BEAM SOCKET OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT THE LIGHT BULBS WILL NO LONGER STAY IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10979893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
KNOWN ISSUE WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON GMC ACADIA, BUT WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. ASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE MELTING OF HOUSING AND HAS DONE SO TO OUR LEFT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. IF HEADLIGHT WERE TO BURNOUT, WE'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY (WE WERE QUOTED $1700 TO DO SO). WE CANNOT FINANCIALLY AFFORD TO DO THIS AND ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR MELTING OF OTHER PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10954821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BULBS REPEATEDLY BURNED OUT AND NOW THE WIRE HARNESS HAS MELTED DOWN. FUSE FAILED TO TRIP. DAMAGE HAS NOW BEEN CAUSED TO THE ENTIRE DRL ASSEMBLY (MELTING, SEE PHOTO). ADDITIONALLY I AM CONCERNED THAT WHATEVER CAUSED THE BULB AND WIRING TO MELT WILL CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE AND ENDANGER MY FAMILY. THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THE DRL BULB AND HARNESS MELTING, BUT MY LOCAL GM DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL WHEN I CALLED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE. GM/SATURN RELEASED A LETTER AUTHORIZING PAID REPAIRS, THAT WAS VALID FROM 2011-2013, BUT THESE VEHICLES ARE STILL ON THE ROAD, AND IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY STATUS. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED--GM KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THESE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10897944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HID HEADLIGHT AND BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE SEVERELY MELTED AND CRACKED REFLECTORS. BOTH BULBS WERE MELTED INTO THERE SOCKETS TO THE POINT I HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE SOCKET. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE INSERT THE SOCKET INTO THE REFLECTOR HOUSING I WAS UN ABLE TO INSTALL IT AS THE REFLECTOR WAS MISSING OVER HALF OF THE RETAINING RING DUE TO IT BEING MELTED. ONE SOCKET LOOKED EXTREMELY BLACKENED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. BOTH LIGHT ARE TEMP INSTALLED AS I AM UNABLE TO CORRECTLY INSTALL DUE TO SEVERELY MELTED REFLECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10897791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I JUST REPLACED MY LEFT SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. WHEN I PULLED OUT THE OLD BULB, IT LOOKED BURNT ON THE TIP OF INSTEAD OF THE FIRST TIME I TREPLACED IT A YEAR AGO WHEN THE WIRES BECAME LOOSE AND BURNT OUT LIKE A TYPICAL LIGHT BULB. TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN A WEEK THAT THE SPEAKERS WENT OUT AND THERE WAS NO SOUND COMING OUT AT ALL. THE MAIN FUSE IS GOOD AND I DRAINED THE WATER FROM THE CONNECTORS ON ALL THE DOORS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WOULD TAKE 5-10 MINUTES FOR THE SOUND TO COME BACK ON. DOES ANYONE KNOW ANY SOLUTIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM DIY INSTEAD OF TAKING IT TO THE DEALER?
NHTSA complaint #10872265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2008 GMC ACADIA AND MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEPT GOING OUT EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. FINALLY AFTER REPLACING IT 5 TIMES, WE FOUND OUT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS GETTING SO HOT IT ACTUALLY MELTED THE HARNESS. I'VE READ SEVERAL TIMES THAT THIS IS A NORMAL THING, BUT GMC REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY IS IT DANGEROUS TO ONLY HAVE 1 LOW BEAM WORKING, BUT IT IS A FIRE HAZARD IF YOU JUST KEEP REPLACING THE BULB. MY WIRING HARNESS IS SO BAD THAT IT DISINTEGRATED IN MY HAND THE LAST TIME I WENT TO CHANGE A BULB. THAT'S HOW I FOUND OUT THERE'S A MAJOR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10865376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE RUNNING LIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. NOT AT THE SAME TIME. EACH ONE WE'VE REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES, WHICH IS WAY TOO MUCH. WE ARE USING GOOD QUALITY BULBS TOO. NOW THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS MELTED WHERE THE BULB SOCKET ITSELF SNAPS IN SO WE CAN'T KEEP THE SOCKET AND BULB IN ITS PLACE. THE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT CHEAP FOR THIS VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #10853331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE BULB WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10846123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT COVERING HAS MELTED TO WHERE THE LIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO REALLY SEE WELL AT NIGHT. CAR HAS 103,000 AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS LET WATER INTO THE INSIDE AND. THE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME AND THE COVERING IS PLASTIC. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW. SAW AND HAVE READ REPORTS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10838180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MECHANIC INDICATES,THE HOLDING FIXTURES ARE MELTING AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE MELTING. THIS CONSTITUTES A POTENTIAL FIRE SITUATION. GMC MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UNDER-ENGINEERED ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10795017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD - ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF. WE WERE ABLE TO SWITCH TO HIGH BEAMS AND THEY WORK - BUT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE BOTH OUT. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE NOTICED IN A RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT WITH GM VEHICLES LIKE THE TRAILBLAZER - BUT THE ARCADIA WAS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10758714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP WENT OUT. REPLACED BULB AND STILL NOT LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10667180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING HEADLIGHTS BURNED, MELTING THE AREA SURROUNDING THE LIGHT BULB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MAILED OUT 01/13/15
NHTSA complaint #10663684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE BEEN TOLD A MILLION TIMES NOW THAT I HAVE A HEADLIGHT OUT. IT'S MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SO WHEN WE WENT TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB WE NOTICED THAT IT LOOKED BURNT SO WE CLEANED IT UP AND CHANGED THE BULB. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT DID THE SAME THING BUT WOULD WORK ONCE IN A WHILE. WE TOOK IT APART AGAIN TODAY TO FIND THE SAME THING THAT THE HARNESS WAS AGAIN BURNT LOOKING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE ACADIAS. I THINK IT IS GM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10641524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD WITH THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS OVERHEATING BEFORE THEY BURN OUT ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE BULB GETS SO HOT THAT THEY MELT THE BULB SOCKET CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARD. THE HEAT ALSO HAS MADE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING BRITTLE AND CRACKED TO WHERE THE SOCKET WONT STAY IN PLACE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING THUS CAUSING THE BULB TO LAY ON THE PLASTIC CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT THIS FIRE HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED IT TO THERE ATTENTION AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM #13135. THEY HAVE ALSO RECALLED SOME 2007 AND 2009 TO 2011 VEHICLES BUT NOT 2008 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10632587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMP WIRING MELTED THE HEADLAMP MODULE AND BULB RECEPTACLE THERE WAS NO FIRE BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SERVICE DIRECTIVE ON THIS THAT EXPIRED ON 12/31 BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY $240 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED WHEN I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I FEEL IT IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO.
NHTSA complaint #10588582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT HEADLIGHT GASKET AROUND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT OVERHEATED AND MELTED HEADLIGHT CASING CAUSING ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. DID NOT DISCOVER UNTIL REALIZING DAYTIME LIGHT WAS NOT COMING ON. UNSURE OF HOW LONG THE ISSUE HAD BEEN GOING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10568595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SOCKETS WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10551030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE SOCKET AND HOUSING MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #10550348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO PROPERLY FUNCTION, BULB WAS CHANGED AND STILL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. PROBLEM SEEMS ROOTED IN MANUFACTURER'S WIRE HARNESS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #10537908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS BURN OUT ON GMC ACADIA. LIGHT GETS SO HOT, THEY MELTED AND BURNED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE HAD THE LAMPS REPLACED 4 TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP, BETWEEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS ASSEMBLIES. LESS THEN 60,000 MILES, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS SO BADLY BURNT AND BRIDLE, IT FELL APART IN THE TECHNICIANS HAND AND IT WOULD NOT HOLD A LAMP ANYMORE. THE WHOLE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY HEAT FROM THE HALOGEN LAMPS. AN EASY FIX COULD BE REPLACING THE HALOGEN LAMPS WITH LEDS. THESE ARE DAY TIME LAMPS ONLY AND ARE ON ALL THE TIME. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND CRAFTSMANSHIP BY GMC AND A SAFETY ISSUE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO CORRECT. I HAVE TRIED ADDRESSING THE ISSUE DIRECTLY WITH GMC WITH NO LUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10534983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS OVER HEATING AND CAUSING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO MELT. INCIDENCES ON 8-1-09 8-15-09 4-8-10 AND 11-15-12. AND AGAIN IN 2013. THE FACT THAT THERE IS ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THE ASSEMBLY TO THE HOUSING TELLS ME THERE IS POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN AND MECHANICAL FLAW OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER END OF THIS IS THAT ALONG WITH THE CHANCE OF FIRE, THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN REQUIRES THE ENTIRE FRONT GRILL TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS AND HOUSING. THIS LABOR INTENSIVE METHOD MEANS THAT REPLACING THIS PART CAN COST UPWARD OF $900. AND IT STILL DOES NOT ADDRESS THE INITIAL PROBLEM OF THE OVERHEATING THAT CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT INTO THE HOUSING. SO YOU ARE JUST WAITING FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND HOPE THAT IT IS WITHIN THE 30 DAYS WARRANTY FOR REPAIRS. AND WONDERING IF MY CAR IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10522659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WE PURCHASED OUR 2008 ACADIA IN 2011, IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. LESS THAN THIRTY DAYS AFTER PURCHASE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS. AT 40,000 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES; THE AIR CONDITIONER BACKED UP, WHICH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE TO THE BLOWER MOTOR; AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. AT 45,000 MILES THE REAR STRUTS WENT OUT, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT; AND WE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. AT 60,000 MILES THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 55,000 MILES THE FRONT STRUTS WENT OUT, WHICH NEEDED REPLACING, ALONG WITH FOUR NEW TIRES, AND A NEW SET OF HEADLIGHTS. AT 60,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, WHICH ALSO REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE FINAL INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 6/10/13 AT 74,000 MILES, WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN. I WAS GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR ON A HIGHWAY, AND THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN. THE STEERING CONSOLE LOCKED WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, I HAD NO ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION EITHER. I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, BARELY AVOIDING A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10520320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, FRUSTRATING. LIST OF REPAIRS: TIMING BELT, HEAD LIGHTS, STEERING, CAMSHAFT, OIL LEAK, STRUTS, BRAKES AND THIS IS WHAT I CAN RECALL MOSTLY.THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE SERVICES ESPECIALLY FOR SERVICE STABILITY TRACK THAT NEVER GETS REPAIRED, THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. ALSO SERVICE AIR BAG KEEPS COMING ON BUT DEALERSHIP CANNOT DO ANYTHING WHILE THE LIGHT IS NOT ON. VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SO MANY REPAIRS AND SERVICES WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE AS I HAVE THE ACADIA. I OWNED A GALANT CAR BEFORE THE ACADIA FOR 5 YEARS AND ONLY HAD TO DO ONE REPAIR IN THOSE 5 YEARS I OWNED IT. I REGRET PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO AND I NEED A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE NOT ONE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONED!
NHTSA complaint #10503014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.