Owners have filed 313 complaints
about the 2015 GMC Acadia with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 18 of 20 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 40
Against the median year of the GMC Acadia. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 28
5.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 50
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
10.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
138.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1510.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
4127.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
3423.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2214.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1610.8%
150,000+ miles
64.1%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2015 GMC Acadia SUV FWD
16.9% risk
2015 GMC Acadia SUV AWD
15.5% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2015peak 17Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2015 GMC Acadia
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202327742,154 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not properly inflate and fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the driver-front airbag module.
Recall 2022189242 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not properly inflate and fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver-front airbag module.
Recall 2015033411 units in Canada
Tires
Certain vehicles may be equipped with tires that may not comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations. During the inspection phase of routine tire compliance testing, cracks were observed in the tire's tread. This is contrary to the requirements of the standard. This could result in tire noise, ride vibration and/or tread chunking. Tires operated in this condition could be at greater risk of failure, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace affected tires.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Jonesboro, ARCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I was curious about recalls because I totaled my 15 Acadia SLT2 and when I hit the impact didn’t deploy airbags and I had no idea until after my accident that they were recalled!!! This incident totaled my Acadia caused my face to be slammed into my steering wheel, cutting me in 2 places and shattering my eye glasses. I now have a scar that looks like a 2nd chin from my impact to hitting the steering column! What should I do? I wasn’t or hadn’t received anything from GMC about this recall until recently and damage has already been done and I’m at a loss of tremendous amounts because my air bags could have saved $300+ glasses and doctors appointments etc…
NHTSA complaint #11611112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jonesboro, ARCrash1 injured
ENGINE
I was curious about recalls because I totaled my 15 Acadia SLT2 and when I hit the impact didn’t deploy airbags and I had no idea until after my accident that they were recalled!!! This incident totaled my Acadia caused my face to be slammed into my steering wheel, cutting me in 2 places and shattering my eye glasses. I now have a scar that looks like a 2nd chin from my impact to hitting the steering column! What should I do? I wasn’t or hadn’t received anything from GMC about this recall until recently and damage has already been done and I’m at a loss of tremendous amounts because my air bags could have saved $300+ glasses and doctors appointments etc…
NHTSA complaint #11611112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jonesboro, ARCrash1 injured
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I was curious about recalls because I totaled my 15 Acadia SLT2 and when I hit the impact didn’t deploy airbags and I had no idea until after my accident that they were recalled!!! This incident totaled my Acadia caused my face to be slammed into my steering wheel, cutting me in 2 places and shattering my eye glasses. I now have a scar that looks like a 2nd chin from my impact to hitting the steering column! What should I do? I wasn’t or hadn’t received anything from GMC about this recall until recently and damage has already been done and I’m at a loss of tremendous amounts because my air bags could have saved $300+ glasses and doctors appointments etc…
NHTSA complaint #11611112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabethtown, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Drivers side door caught on fire overnight. Burned up the interior of the vehicle and smoldered out. Windows were up, car was completely closed and locked. Still starts and drives. Door, seat, steering, ceiling , visor all burnt and melted to some degree. Seems to have been electrical.
NHTSA complaint #11599551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
China Grove, NCCrash
SEAT BELTS
Was in a car accident in my Acadia. Someone hit me going 55 miles an hour on my front passenger side. My airbag never deployed and my seat belt did not lock causing me to fly around. I didn’t see a recall for either of those things
NHTSA complaint #11567076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
China Grove, NCCrash
AIR BAGS
Was in a car accident in my Acadia. Someone hit me going 55 miles an hour on my front passenger side. My airbag never deployed and my seat belt did not lock causing me to fly around. I didn’t see a recall for either of those things
NHTSA complaint #11567076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Phoenix, AZ
POWER TRAIN
2015 gmc Acadia, vin ending 7457,p2635,stuttering/hesitation and engine stalling when Arizona temperatures exceed 100* f , and mechanic advising that the condition corresponded to a known gmc issue for which they could not obtain an applicable corrective part / repair
NHTSA complaint #11758928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2015 gmc Acadia, vin ending 7457,p2635,stuttering/hesitation and engine stalling when Arizona temperatures exceed 100* f , and mechanic advising that the condition corresponded to a known gmc issue for which they could not obtain an applicable corrective part / repair
NHTSA complaint #11758928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ENGINE
2015 gmc Acadia, vin ending 7457,p2635,stuttering/hesitation and engine stalling when Arizona temperatures exceed 100* f , and mechanic advising that the condition corresponded to a known gmc issue for which they could not obtain an applicable corrective part / repair
NHTSA complaint #11758928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SEAT BELTS
the flexible steel cable connecting the seat belt to the seat separated and broke resulting in no way to use the seatbelt/connecting the seat belt to the connector on the seat.
NHTSA complaint #11748965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huddleston, VA
SEAT BELTS
Drivers side seat belt broke where it connects to floor part. Cable broke. Never have had this to happen in my life!!!
NHTSA complaint #11743111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,222 milesBiloxi, MS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate was opened, however the tailgate failed to function as intended. The contact noticed an abnormal grinding sound and the tailgate independently closed while the contact was removing packages from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred when using the key to open the tailgate or when opening manually. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed tailgate actuator. The contact was informed that the tailgate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,222.
NHTSA complaint #11739276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,600 milesHuddleston, VA
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked he observed the drivers seat belt that the braided steal cable was broken and the seat belt clasp was barley hanging on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drivers seat belt was broke and was hanging off and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was 178,600.
NHTSA complaint #11738470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,000 milesHinckley, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the instrument panel went blank before the panel began to flash when it returned. The contact then stated that several various warning messages began to appear all of which were related to the vehicle's electrical features. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a code reader found no defects with the vehicle. Close to a week after the initial failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts as previous failure returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. Upon his own inspection and research regarding the vehicle, the contact linked the failure to the vehicle's BCM(Body Control Module). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
NHTSA complaint #11735634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,000 milesHinckley, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the instrument panel went blank before the panel began to flash when it returned. The contact then stated that several various warning messages began to appear all of which were related to the vehicle's electrical features. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a code reader found no defects with the vehicle. Close to a week after the initial failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts as previous failure returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. Upon his own inspection and research regarding the vehicle, the contact linked the failure to the vehicle's BCM(Body Control Module). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
NHTSA complaint #11735634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, IL
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Issue: Repeated failure of safety‑critical module Description: The Side Blind Zone Alert system on my 2015 GMC Acadia has failed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. The system becomes inoperative and displays “Side Detection System Unavailable.” A local GMC dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failure of the SBZA module due to loss of communication. This failure has occurred repeatedly, approximately every two years, despite prior repairs and replacement of the module at my own expense. This is a safety‑critical driver‑assist feature, and the repeated failure pattern suggests a defect in the design or durability of the module. The system is unreliable and cannot be depended on for safe lane‑change operation. GM Customer Assistance has declined to provide support or escalate the case further, despite the safety implications and documented repeat failures. I am reporting this because the failure affects safe operation of the vehicle and appears to be a recurring defect affecting multiple owners of this model.
NHTSA complaint #11733153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Killeen, TX
AIR BAGS
The airbag emblem keeps popping up.
NHTSA complaint #11729800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesBeachwood, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the automatic alert system anti-theft system locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the safety sensors in the mirror and the rear of the vehicle became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side mirrors, and reverse light sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on three occasions, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall for the failure. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11726905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bixby, OK
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Wipers stopped working an it’s not showing an active recall but research shows this model does have wiper blade motor recalls
NHTSA complaint #11726030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Christiansburg, VA
POWER TRAIN
Transmission jerks and shakes the vehicle when shifting in certain conditions.
NHTSA complaint #11722821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andover, MN
POWER TRAIN
Torque converter is bad, shudders when shifting
NHTSA complaint #11708680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,448 milesLuthersville, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the center taillight was inoperable. The halo light was working as designed and then ceased operating. The headlights also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs and the headlight assembly. The rear signal light was blinking fast, and the light became inoperable. The message that the hood was ajar was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,448.
NHTSA complaint #11696393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,448 milesLuthersville, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the center taillight was inoperable. The halo light was working as designed and then ceased operating. The headlights also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs and the headlight assembly. The rear signal light was blinking fast, and the light became inoperable. The message that the hood was ajar was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,448.
NHTSA complaint #11696393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,448 milesLuthersville, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:BULBS
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the center taillight was inoperable. The halo light was working as designed and then ceased operating. The headlights also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the bulbs and the headlight assembly. The rear signal light was blinking fast, and the light became inoperable. The message that the hood was ajar was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,448.
NHTSA complaint #11696393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moravian Falls, NC
SEATS
I have pictures the seat, the airbag in the seat.The driver's seatIt didn't come through the seat, but it deployed or ruptured.But it didn't bust through the seat.It's like a big bubble. I was just driving and I heard a pop but it didn't come through the seat. It left the lump in the seat. I still think it's dangerous, cuz. It's busted.
NHTSA complaint #11687789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moravian Falls, NC
AIR BAGS
I have pictures the seat, the airbag in the seat.The driver's seatIt didn't come through the seat, but it deployed or ruptured.But it didn't bust through the seat.It's like a big bubble. I was just driving and I heard a pop but it didn't come through the seat. It left the lump in the seat. I still think it's dangerous, cuz. It's busted.
NHTSA complaint #11687789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willowick, OH
SEAT BELTS
Seatbelts both front stopped tightening upon braking.
NHTSA complaint #11671665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,884 milesSlidell, LA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 GM GMC Acadia. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the service air bag warning light illuminated. The contact's wife stated that a hard piece of plastic had detached out of the dashboard above the radio. The contact stated the failure had occurred twice within minutes. Additionally, the air bag deployed and left a hole in the dashboard. The contact's wife was struck on the head by the plastic piece. The contact's wife did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated the GMC database confirmed that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); September 2024, prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,884.
NHTSA complaint #11665340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mango, FL
ENGINE
The engine is not shifting properly, and the vehicle loses speed while driving and hesitates to accelerate. At time, it feels as though the car is not moving at all. This issue has occurred on multiple occasions, affecting both me and my family, and has forced us to pull over because the vehicle could barely move forward. This happed once on the highway and almost caused an accident. Additionally, the check engine light remains on at all times.
NHTSA complaint #11658427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesKansas City, MO
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and vibrating while shifting gear, and vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11657751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thomasville, AL
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11657517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.