FaultScore

GMC Acadia airbag problems

907 of the 7,767 complaints filed about the GMC Acadia are about the airbag system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.

907

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

61

Crashes

1

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2007 Acadia 64 7.1%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2008 Acadia 150 16.5%

Median failure at 83,454 miles

2009 Acadia 15 1.7%

Median failure at 112,000 miles

2010 Acadia 16 1.8%

Median failure at 62,370 miles

2011 Acadia 19 2.1%

Median failure at 56,355 miles

2012 Acadia 33 3.6%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

2013 Acadia 29 3.2%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2014 Acadia 245 27.0%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

2015 Acadia 109 12.0%

Median failure at 91,841 miles

2016 Acadia 130 14.3%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

2017 Acadia 76 8.4%

Median failure at 42,500 miles

2018 Acadia 1 0.1%
2019 Acadia 3 0.3%

Median failure at 33,717 miles

2020 Acadia 3 0.3%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2021 Acadia 8 0.9%

Median failure at 8,100 miles

2022 Acadia 2 0.2%
2023 Acadia 2 0.2%

Median failure at 5,665 miles

2024 Acadia 1 0.1%
2026 Acadia 1 0.1%

Median failure at 4,700 miles

What owners said

2022 GMC Acadia DE Witt, IA

AIR BAGS

Since we purchased our 2022 Acadia 6/24/2022 we have had the warning "Service Safety Restraint System" pop up randomly. We have mentioned it numerous times over the years when the vehicle has been in for routine service at our local dealership. They have never been able to determine the cause as no service code ever shows up for them. Today in addition to the warning the red air bag warning light also lit up briefly. The warning has popped up 2x in the last 2 weeks again with today being the only time we noticed the red light as well. We are now more concerned about the safety of our vehicle. (We will be on vacation now through 8/25 & would be available after that date for any contact)

NHTSA complaint #11757181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 GMC Acadia Philadelphia, PA

AIR BAGS

Hello so I notice 3 weeks ago my headlights keep cutting off and on then a week later my radio stopped working, The floor of the driver side is always wet after it rains. I noticed one day the rain started dripping on my feet when I drive after a big rain fall, I believe the car is not sealed properly and now water is coming out from the airbag signs in my vehicle and the car starting to smell like mildew. I think water is sitting in certain parts of my vehicle. I'm not sure what to do.

NHTSA complaint #11755081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 GMC Acadia Cincinnati, OH

AIR BAGS

I think my vehicle is apart of this recall: March 17, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V118000 Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

NHTSA complaint #11753694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 GMC Acadia at 200,000 miles Wichita, KS

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side air bags deployed; however, the vehicle was not involved in a crash. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the starter was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 GMC Acadia at 4,700 miles Winfield, AL Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while at a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the rear passenger's side of a Semi Truck. Both the AEB and the IAEB failed to engage during the incident. The vehicle sustained severe front-end damage. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy, and the Forward Collision Avoidance System failed to engage to prevent the crash. The driver sustained a neck and right shoulder injury. The front passenger seat occupant sustained a right arm and left leg injury, and a headache. No medical treatment was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,700.

NHTSA complaint #11743270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Acadia Statesboro, GA

AIR BAGS

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11739189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 GMC Acadia Shreveport, LA

AIR BAGS

Lifegate wont open all the way airbag light is on and truck shimmering when I drive it

NHTSA complaint #11737605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 GMC Acadia Huntington, WV

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V118000 (Air Bags); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted but the manufacturer was not contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11730835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Acadia Palm Bay, FL

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11730634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Acadia Killeen, TX

AIR BAGS

The airbag emblem keeps popping up.

NHTSA complaint #11729800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Acadia at 138,000 miles Pensacola, FL Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was avoiding crashing into another vehicle when the contact's vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that some good Samaritans assisted the contact in getting out of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was totaled when it crashed into a tree. In addition, the contact stated that within 5–10 minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in fire. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumed in the fire. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact declined medical transport to the local medical center, however the following day, the contact went to the local medical center. The contact sustained cuts and abrasions on both legs and knees primarily, cuts and abrasions to the right and left arms, a large bruise on the left side of the chest, right side of chest pain, and severe pain in the right shoulder and back. In addition, the contact stated that on February 02, 2026, the vehicle was serviced for an unknown recall repair in which the driver's side air bag was replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #11726679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Acadia at 150,000 miles Danville, IL 3 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked at her work, she had attempted to start the vehicle and was unable. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact had smelled the strong odor of gasoline from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated a co-worker had looked underneath the vehicle and confirmed the leak of gasoline. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same independent mechanic, who advised that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that she was in a parking lot at a shopping center as she was looking for a parking spot, the driver's side air bag exploded, there was no crash. The contact said that she heard a loud "boom," and she had scrapes on her arms, hands, and face. The contact stated that her sons both had cuts and scrapes on their faces, the contact said one of her children needed stitches on his lip from the explosion. The contact stated that the police and emergency services were at the scene. The contact stated that her vehicle was towed back to her residence. The contact stated that she and her children were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The contact stated that the police issued a report, but she was not given the report number. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11724860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 GMC Acadia at 5,665 miles Convent Station, NJ Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that with the stop/start feature activated and while attempting to park the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was slightly pressed in order to slowly move the vehicle forward. The vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward, over a curb, and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported, and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 5,665.

NHTSA complaint #11720724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Acadia Oceanside, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11718488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Acadia Phila, PA

AIR BAGS

called dealer faulkner gmc multiple times while recall was in force they kept saying they would schedule me when part was available found out that recall was over never got the airbag replaced this is a serious safety defect that needs to be fixed please investigate

NHTSA complaint #11717747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Acadia Chesapeake, VA

AIR BAGS

Acadia Denali had Takata air bag inflater replaced, service air bag light is still on. Dealer stated there is a side air bag problem as well. 2014 Acadia’s had previous recall for side airbag issues, most likely is same issue the vehicle isn’t listed. Contacting corporate regarding issue.

NHTSA complaint #11700921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 GMC Acadia Cranston, RI

AIR BAGS

I purchased a used 2019 GMC Acadia from Grieco Honda around November 20, 2023. They showed me a CarFax report indicating the vehicle had never been in an accident. Immediately after the purchase, I reported several issues and attempted to return the car under their 30-day warranty. However, the salesperson convinced me not to return it, assuring me that they would address all of the problems. From the beginning, I complained that the car shook violently when driving between 45–60 mph, especially during acceleration. The vehicle took an unusually long time to heat up, and the brakes were loud and squeaky. A few months later, after driving over a large speed bump, the airbag warning light turned on. During my next oil change, I mentioned this issue, along with a problem with the window sensor. They dismissed my concerns and told me to take the car to GMC across the street because they lacked the tools to diagnose it. At GMC Hurd, I was told the diagnostic service would cost $160 and that I would need to leave the vehicle for the day. At the time, I couldn’t leave the car because I needed it to pick up my children. Now, in November 2025, my inspection is due. I brought the car back to GMC, and they informed me that the vehicle had been in a major accident prior to my ownership. They discovered that the airbags had previously deployed and were stuffed back into the driver’s seat and sewn shut. I have never been in an accident with this car. I reported this to Grieco since they were the ones who inspected the vehicle in November 2023 and passed it. I believe they managed to get the car through inspection without properly or thoroughly examining it before selling it to me. They have dismissed my concerns and told me there is nothing they can do. This is outrageous, as the airbags would not have deployed in an emergency, putting my safety at serious risk.

NHTSA complaint #11700871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Acadia Dearborn, MI

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11697497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Acadia at 130,000 miles Pleasant Hill, IA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection, the fuel gauge failed to properly display the fuel level. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the unknown repairs were made; however, the traction control, ABS, Stabili-trak, and seat belt warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 14V614000 (Electrical System), 14V266000 (Seat Belts), 21V246000 (Air Bags), and 14V223000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11694995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Acadia Dearborn, MI

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11693580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Acadia problems