194 of the 954 complaints about the 2017 GMC Acadia are about the electrical system — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 34,252 miles.
194
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Acadia went into limp Mode displaying low power mode on the screen and wouldn’t start for a couple days after. Lights started illuminating on the dash as abs, traction control, and stanilitrack, then check engine light came on and my gmc app displayed code p2138. I have had since low power and extremely high gas consumption.
NHTSA complaint #11751463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Shift to park take forever to get it to recognize that vehicle is in park. my lane departure only works sometimes.
NHTSA complaint #11750345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
🚨 P0128 code, thermostat-related symptoms, Steering Assist Reduced warnings, increased steering effort, or other safety concerns while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11749164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Shift To Park senor come on often and wouldn't let me turn the vehicle off.
NHTSA complaint #11748052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle has experienced multiple electrical and mechanical failures at unusually low mileage. Purchased at 32,000 miles. At approximately 50,000 miles, the factory radio/infotainment system failed completely. Electrical systems were observed remaining active after the vehicle was powered off, suggesting an underlying electrical fault. At approximately 60,000 miles, the power steering rack and fuel pump both required full replacement and were confirmed and replaced by an authorized dealership. No warning lights appeared prior to these failures — components failed without any prior indication. At approximately 100,000 miles, the transmission began failing and exhibits the known torque converter shudder issue widely reported on this vehicle platform. The shudder was present prior to full transmission failure symptoms appearing. The pattern of premature failures across multiple unrelated systems — electrical, steering, fuel delivery, and transmission — suggests a broader manufacturing defect.
NHTSA complaint #11745036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have replaced 5 batteries in my vehicle. The battery is constantly being drained. There is no lights or residual drawing power that can be identified.
NHTSA complaint #11744647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Imagine wrapping up your errands and stepping into your GMC Acadia to drive home. You arrive and everything seems fine until you park, press the button to shut it off, and a “Shift to Park” message lights up the dashboard. Thinking you might have made a silly mistake, you double-check the shifter, only to realize it’s already in Park. It has become so rampant, has drained my battery and caused anxiety.
NHTSA complaint #11739164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNKNOWN I’m told the micro parking switch is the problem. This is an intermediate issue. This is a well known problem with the GMC Acadias. Their times when I try to turn off the engine, I get a shift to park error message. The car will not turn off, I’m unable to lock the doors and I’m concerned that the car is not in the park position thus and fearful, it can roll away. This has been occurring more often than before.
NHTSA complaint #11738841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When shifting vehicle into park and turning off the ignition switch a notification shows up and says shift to park even though vehicle is already in that position.
NHTSA complaint #11731294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dash states put in park. But in park, car would deplete battery which I replaced but didn't fix. Unsafe as manuel states car can shut down while driving to preserve battery. Only 23,635 miles. Mostly parked. Parts $57 with $378 labor!
NHTSA complaint #11730458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Twice the side detection system failed due to corroded wiring under the bumper which then led into the electrical system failing on side air bag detection/blind zone detection/traction control system/display monitor and blinkers all failing to the point of vehicle not starting. The safety is these features failed which were both safety and stability. Risks occur in becoming stranded and the problem was first noted by dealer to be a poor battery. GM pushed out a "Special Coverage Adjustment' to have the wiring/module kit to be ordered and repaired by a dealer for no charge. Stipulations was within 6 yrs or 80,000 from 'placed in use'. Warning lamps occurred after the corrosion was too far along to be rectified and after the 6n yrs off the lot. Manufacture GM issued the special adjustment but dealership did not provide notice beyond letter at point of failure in vehicle so that twice I have had to contend with this issue and pay in full for the service work performed. The second fail of this wiring system and module was within 3 years of first replacement.
NHTSA complaint #11728124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Seeing the intermittent shift to park messages when the vehicle has been shifted into park and the ignition is turned to the off position. Shifter wire harness jumper & transmission controls A malfunctioning shifter raises fears of potential rollaway accidents, even if such cases remain rare. For anyone who has to park on a slope, this fear can cause serious worry. Yes, there is a service bulletin (19-NA-206) No, this is 1 of the only problems I have had with this. The other issues I have had is the clear coating on the rims are peeling
NHTSA complaint #11726695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Shift to Park warning comes on when the car is turned off and it is in park. When we park the the car and shift the car to park and turn the car off the warning "shift to park" comes on and the electrical systems will not disengage. The radio stays on, the car can not be locked, and the doors ding loud alarms if you try to exit the car. The only fix is to sit in the car for several minutes and flick the switch under the gear shift and hope that the shift to park warning eventually goes off and you can exit the car. It sometimes takes 8-10 minutes for this to happen. This first happened intermittently and now happens every time we turn off the car. It has been replicated in a dealership and service center. The independent service center that did our brakes said they were aware this was a common problem in GMCs and they experienced it. We have been told it is a microswitch and the repair option is not under any kind of recall or warranty and up to us to pay for the full repair even though it seems there are thousands of people online experiencing the same problem and paying hundreds of dollars for this fix.
NHTSA complaint #11725122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Thermostat Issue (Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care) have changed this sensor 3 times in the past 3 years, there is no excuse for that. The emergency braking almost cause me and my daughter to be hit by a train when my car emergency braked while going over train tracks. this is unexcusable
NHTSA complaint #11717322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle will not shut off, keep showing shift to Park, even when vehicle is in park with parking brake engaged. This has been a common occurrence and I see where people discuss a recall, but one is not available for my VIN.
NHTSA complaint #11713007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Car has over the last few years not turn off due to shift to park. This is concerning, due to we cannot turn the car off unless we strike the shifter few times assuming this is the remedy. It doesn't look like there is any type of recall but there should be.
NHTSA complaint #11711466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Pulled into a parking space, put the car into park and tried to shut the car off. The warning system said I needed to shift to park. I was in park but could not shut the car off because the car thought I wasnt in park. Took 15 minutes of shifting from park to all gears and shaking the gear shifter before it finally let me shut the vehicle off. This is now the second time this has happened and ive had to have the same thing repaired. They are replacing the whole shifter assembly. Error reads SHIFT TO PARK. This is happening every few years now and at almost 1000 dollars to repair and only lasting a year or so, this is ridiculous.
NHTSA complaint #11706484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car is in park & ignition button has been hit to turn vehicle off. When engine is turned off all interior, exterior, dash, & ignition switch lights remain on with a notification on the dashboard stating to "shift to park". The doors can not be locked when this message is on the screen. It can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes for the lights & dash to go out, allowing you to exit & lock the car. If you exit the car while the message still appears on the dash, not only are the lights on & unable to lock the car, but if someone where to get into the car, without the key fob, they can start the car & drive off. My husband & I were in a shopping center parking lot in July 2025 where the "shift to park" error came on. We sat in the car, 110 degrees outside, for 10 minutes waiting for the car to shut down. Finally we had to exit the car because we could no longer take the heat. My husband went back to the car, 5 minutes late, while I was in the store to see if the car had finally shut down. To his surprise the lights and dash where still on. He noticed the start button light was also still on & thought if he hit the button the lights would shut off, but no, the car actually started & again he did not have the key fob with him. This is a serious issue & needs to be addressed & I do not feel that I should be paying for this repair. My husband unexpectantly passed away in Sept 2025 & now I am left to deal with this on my own. I have to get this issue fixed as I can not take the chance someone will take my car someday nor do I want to continue to sit in my car for 10-20 minutes waiting for it to shut down. The dealership I took it to diagnosed it as due to a faulty switch in the shifter which means its poor workmanship & not related to owner usage. Please add this to the recall list so that I can get it fixed quickly or if I have to get it fixed prior to being approved by you I can at least recoup my money. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11702780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving get notice lane departure not working and thermostat registered zero, when code scanned, states low thermostat temp and able to reset with code reader. Will reoccur in minters to days later. This is an electrical issue to to the ability to reset with a code scan tool, but also a safety issue since it also effects the electrical safety ability associated with the sensor.
NHTSA complaint #11701133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Backup camera often does not have a clear picture. Very grainy and static.
NHTSA complaint #11697295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I STOP AND PUT ME CAR IN PARK IT USUALLY GIVES A WARNING SHIFT INTO PARK
NHTSA complaint #11693367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SHIFT TO PARK Warning comes on & you can't lock the vehicle nor will it shut off completely. I've had to start & reverse several times before it engages/recognizes that it is in park. OBVIOUSLY this is a KNOWN issue by reading all the other posts relating to this. Please issue a recall....
NHTSA complaint #11692011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Shift to park appears when vehicle is already in park and the vehicle will not turn off.
NHTSA complaint #11690941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Shift to Park light remains on after you’ve put the car in “park” which could potentially run the battery down. Car does not recognize when it is in “park”. Have to “jiggle” the gear a bit, in hopes that it turns off.
NHTSA complaint #11690409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK I WILL GET A "SHIFT TO PARK" NOTIICATION AND WILL HAVE TO MOVE MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT TO REGISTER. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON OTHER 2017 GMC ACADIA BUT DOES NOT FALL UNDER MY VIN #
NHTSA complaint #11680599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Cannot shift out of park. AC stops blowing also. Electric seats stopped working. Replaced BCM modular, solenoid , entire shifter and more. It worked for two months. -Happening again. Cannot shift out of park and the AC stops working. Seat are working at moment. It’s all intermittent. Currently dealer will not help me. No warranty anymore. Im on a site where thousands of gmc’s have this same problem. Im gonna have to bring back to another dealer but no one can figure it out how to fix this. I sent my last bill. I also had one before that with the shifter assembly and solenoid replaced. I cannot find at moment
NHTSA complaint #11671449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle won’t shift into park
NHTSA complaint #11668045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I’m just reporting several known issues. First, with code P2138, which I got today at Oreilly after my car started throwing warnings. I used my parking brake briefly and afterwards got the following warnings on my car: “Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with care”, “Engine power reduced” , “Propulsion Power is reduced” , “Service Parking Brake”. I’ve never even had one of these warnings. I’ve only gotten “shift to park” which is another known & common issue. With this P2138 code, it can affect acceleration and essentially loss of control over it, but seems I suddenly have several issues. Recently the infotainment system is possessed, touch screen stops working, it calls people by itself, beeps and scrolls by itself and is essentially useless. Might as well be driving at 1997 something or other, at least I could play a tape or CD. This is Denali trim at 87K miles. Primarily though I’m concerned with this code, if it’s legit, it is very dangerous. How unreliable and unsafe to not know.
NHTSA complaint #11658720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After shifting to park and attempting to turn off my vehicle, I receive an “Action Required Shift to Park” error message. I’m assuming the vehicle is in park but I’m not certain and worry about it moving or rolling. It is difficult to get it to turn off by jiggling the shifter and turning the vehicle on and off. At times, I am not able to get it off and then the vehicle will not lock and the battery goes dead. According to my VIN there is not an active recall but brief internet search states there has been numerous reports, recalls, and lemon law returns due to this.
NHTSA complaint #11656658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When placed in park a message appears to Shift To Park and the vehicle electrical system stays energized.
NHTSA complaint #11653070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.