20 of the 280 complaints about the 2016 GMC Acadia are about the transmission — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 77,911 miles.
20
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11746913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Without warning transmission overheated, blew out fluid and caught the front end of the vehicle on fire
NHTSA complaint #11742435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11735163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
unknowingly what the actual issue is in This 2016 gmc has major safety risk in Electrical major different problems it has caused me safety issue with little one in the car and my family not knowing the issue with not understating it is a safety risk it has shut off 20 times restarting the radio for no reasoning also it sounds like the powertrain is going to stop working unless u put in L shift which i think that is nuts i was on the highway and it just stopped with the key locked in it like what actually f is going on this SUV has had problems since day one
NHTSA complaint #11668453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
On about 01/20/2025 my transmission? Auto started to shudder before going into 3rd gear threw 5th. Once in 6th gear at about 55 the auto starts to shudder and turns into a rumble feeling. My auto only has 100650 for miles on it. It has been serviced and have brought it to GM 01/24/25 to ask about it? After talking to service adviser. It would cost me 75.00 for someone to go with me to confirm it is doing it. Then make an appointment for further evaluation. No price given at this time. but did not on paper! Say That it is most likely torque converter causing the problem? Confirmed It is not under warranty and there was nothing GM could do.i have been to at least 3 other shops in my area and they all say the same thing and price. Which is between 6 to 7 thousand dollars to replace the transmission. They all dosay that when it goes it could make me loose control Due to lockup.
NHTSA complaint #11640167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I was driving about 30mph and accelerated to pass a truck and the transmission failed and the car lost any ability to accelerate and I had to coast to the side of the highway and have the car towed to the dealer. The dealer stated the transmission would need to be replaced and it would be $9000. Mileage is 77,013. This is the third time the transmission has malfunctioned and caused the car to lose power on the highway. It has been repaired twice previously.
NHTSA complaint #11589420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While driving vehicle slowed down then stopped & would not restart for a while. After 15 mins was able to start but now try to drive & vehicle is vibrating tries to move forward then vibrates again stalls the engine dies then starts rolling backwards. The vehicle will restart but try driving the traction control comes on drives for about a foot then cuts off & rolls backward
NHTSA complaint #11539365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission- Shift Solenoid EVAP- Purge Valve Forward Collision- goes off when nothing is in front of the vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11519766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The transmission is not changing gears and is shifting hard. Both Passanger side automatic electric windows will not go back up
NHTSA complaint #11511338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The transmission broke and now has to be fully replaced costing me 5500 my car has 94k miles
NHTSA complaint #11501634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmition makes jerking motion while driving. During driving the transmition will shutter and make you feel as if the car is going to stop running.
NHTSA complaint #11492917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
This is a complaint update#498946. I made all the necessary repairs outlined and detailed on the diagnostic report issued by the dealership. I picked my vehicle up on Thursday evening. I got up at 6:00 on Friday March 18th and noticed my OnStar diagnostic report had come through at 12:00 am and stated there was a problem with my emissions/transmission. I immediately at 8:30 called GMC manufacturing and they told me to take the vehicle back and GMC manufacturing made me a 1:00 appointment for the same say while I was on the phone. I had to be at work at 12 noon so my husband took it there and came back and told me that my transmission was bad. The dealership offered to but my vehicle back fir $18,500 or pay for the repairs myself $3.909. I asked for assistance since this was the initial problem I took it in for and it has network weeks and I haven’t heard anything. This month is my 2 year anniversary of owning it. I informed the dealership about the Special Warranty coverage and they stated that this was not covered but I explained to them that the coverage is limited to 150,000 miles and that my vehicle only has 120,000 miles on it so I am confused and seeking clarification and explanation from a higher source and no one has contacted in 2 weeks.
NHTSA complaint #11459651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR STARTED USING MORE GAS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND IT IS LOCKING UP.IT COULD FAIL WHEN DRIVEN
NHTSA complaint #11384877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE OR GO FORWARD IN EITHER GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SANDOVAL BUICK GMC (300 N HAMILTON RD, WHITEHALL, OH 43213) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11342899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HESITATE WHILE SHIFTING AND SLIP AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. TOOK TO JIM ELLIS MALL OF GA DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH HAD FAILED CAUSING THE SHUTTER AT ALL SPEEDS. DEALER INDICATED THE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 111,000 MILES AND ALL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS WERE FOLLOWED INCLUDING TRANSMISSION FLUSH AT 65,000 MILES. VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND NEVER PULLED A TRAILER OR ABUSED IN ANY WAY. SINCE THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, THE OWNER FEELS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION EVER FELT RIGHT BUT CAN'T PROVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11316867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE TRACTION WARNING SUDDENLY COMES ON THEN THE STABILITY SERVICE WARNING JUMPS ON....AUTOMATICALLY LOWERING MY SPEED WHILE I'M ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING. WHEN I PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON...THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR SPEED BUMP
NHTSA complaint #11315756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
'TAKATA RECALL' WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS OR HAS A HARD SHIFT. THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT BEFORE WANTING TO ACTUALLY MOVE WHICH COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS. THE CAR IS NEARLY BRAND NEW WITH THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11231841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC ACADIA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOEPP CHEVROLET (830-253-8000, LOCATED AT 13221 US-87, LA VERNIA, TX 78121) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11206209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11000142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #10894132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.