1,081 of the 7,767 complaints filed about the GMC Acadia are about the electrical system — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2017.
1,081
Complaints
14%
Share of all complaints
15
Crashes
30
Fires
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
See attached file
NHTSA complaint #11756510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
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
Transmission causes problems in can be on interstate and be switching lanes and it loses power and wont go takes forever to shift out. It will cut out and you can barely get pulled off side of rd in time. Electrical the battery voltage goes crazy up and down causing vehicle to power surge bad or at night time lights will go out for no reason while driving every now and then you can smell something melting or burning also the engine gets so hot but it's right temperature cooling fan runs constantly even when car is cool.since all the problem with Transmission the suspension is off some how. Its like it's not stable
NHTSA complaint #11749833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
[Symptom & Safety Hazard] While driving my 2020 GMC Acadia 3.6L V6, the Driver Information Center displayed the warning: "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive With Care" (SARDWC). Steering effort increased abruptly, the engine temperature gauge dropped to cold/zero, and the HVAC system lost air-conditioning function. The warning and reduction in steering assist presented a safety hazard and increased the risk of a crash. [Diagnostic Findings] Vehicle diagnostics identified DTC P0128 - Engine Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature. A GMC Certified Dealer technician diagnosed a failed engine coolant thermostat housing assembly. [Manufacturer Information] GM documentation links DTC P0128 and invalid engine coolant temperature signals to the "SARDWC" condition. GM Bulletin 17-NA-158 states the “SARDWC” condition is caused by an invalid coolant temperature signal and the steering module relies on coolant temperature information for steering-assist compensation. GM bulletin PIT5967 directs technicians to diagnose and repair DTC P0128 when the warning message is present. In Oct 2025, GM issued N252508350 for 2021 Acadia vehicles equipped with the 3.6L LGX engine due to an engine coolant thermostat condition. My 2020 Acadia is part of the same generation vehicle platform and is equipped with the same 3.6L LGX engine. It experienced the same thermostat-related failure symptoms, including DTC P0128 and the "SARDWC” warning. [Reason for Complaint] I am filing this complaint because a thermostat-related cooling-system failure resulted in a steering-assist warning and reduction in steering assist while the vehicle was being driven. Moreover, GM issued N252508350 for 2021 Acadia vehicles equipped with the 3.6L LGX engine due to the same engine coolant thermostat condition, yet similarly affected 2020 Acadia vehicles are not included. NHTSA should investigate whether additional 2020 vehicles are experiencing the same failure sequence and resulting safety risk.
NHTSA complaint #11749841 — 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
Fire Started in Center Console
NHTSA complaint #11749071 — 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
Shortly after purchasing my 2019 GMC Acadia with 52,000 miles on it, my wife parked the vehicle in our driveway and shifted the transmission into Park. When she pressed the push button to shut the vehicle off, the instrument cluster displayed a "Shift to Park" message even though the shifter was already in the Park position. Because the vehicle did not recognize that it was in Park, it would not shut off completely. The radio remained on, and the doors could not be locked. The only way to get the vehicle to shut off was to repeatedly shift from Drive to Park until it finally recognized Park. This occurred multiple times. After researching the problem, I discovered that many other GM owners have experienced the same "Shift to Park" failure. I believe this is a widespread defect that should be investigated because it can prevent a vehicle from shutting off properly, leave electrical accessories powered on, drain the battery, and prevent the vehicle from being secured when parked.
NHTSA complaint #11746961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem 1: I got the car 2 years ago, and it keeps telling me to "Shift to Park" even though its in park. That's been happening for the whole time I've had it. It does throw a code for it on the scanner machine. I have to shift it back and forth sometimes 3 times and sometimes 17 times. It just keeps beeping over and over and won't shut off. I am having a mechanic look at it Tuesday but hoping it doesn't cost a lot. But no recalls on my car. Problem 2: For the last 4 months or so it keeps saying steering assist is reduced drive with car. It's being looked at Tuesday as well. I have 109K on my car, and got it at 86K.
NHTSA complaint #11746660 — 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
On Sunday June 7, 2026 my husband drove our 2014 GMC Acadia to work. We both work at MSY - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for United Airlines. After he parked in the employee garage that is located in at the old terminal and got on the employee shuttle, the passenger tail light sparked a fire. Airport operations responded with the fire department that is stationed at the airport.
NHTSA complaint #11743724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Shift to park Malfunction again, 4 th time!! 1000$ to fix is ridiculous
NHTSA complaint #11742706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Thermostat in these are all bad and everyone keeps having problems with them. Also forward collision warning and steering stability warning come on. Thermostat needs to have recall. Everyone is having the same problems.
NHTSA complaint #11742603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Thermostat issue causing check engine light as well as steering assist to be turned off. Fan constantly runs. Reset code and immediately is fine again for anywhere from a day to weeks but then happens again. Car is just out of warranty but seems to be common occurrence as there is a service bulletin for the 2021 model
NHTSA complaint #11741177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Display suddenly says "Steering assistance reduced, drive with care" Temp gauge goes to C and stays there. Radiator fans speed up and stay on after the car has been turned off. Dealer unable to find a diagnostic code for the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11741035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This vehicle was bought brand new and has received proper maintenance from one dealership since purchasing. I had to replace the thermostat and radiator before owning the vehicle three years. Within two years of owning the vehicle, my battery went out, which I thought seemed a little early. Then shortly after, I noticed that my locks weren’t engaging when I took my car out of park. Then my car wouldn’t even lock. When I tried to do it on the door control, nothing happened, then when I used my key to do it, it caused the alarm to go off and I couldn’t get it to stop. This resolved after a day, and then it rained again, and it started again. This time, my car wouldn’t unlock and I was trapped in my vehicle and had to open the trunk to get out. This is a known issue according to GMC with no fix. I took it to the dealer, and the codes were saying BCM and told it was being replaced but instead was “serviced”. This issue has begun again, and now I’m being told the locks are the issue and not the BCM, and that may not be covered under warranty. Not being able to get out of your vehicle or not being able to lock your car is a safety issue for passengers leaving them vulnerable to theft, someone entering their car while they’re in it and hurting them. I have had so many issues out of this vehicle and I do not believe I should have to pay for a repair that is a safety issue KNOWN TO THE COMPANY. I feel unsafe driving this vehicle now and it doesn’t even have 60k on it. So I’ve estimated on the date of the first incident and the new one just Happened this week. The information about this issue can be obtained from my dealership and GMC as it is a known issue with no real fix.
NHTSA complaint #11740730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.