GMC Acadia electrical problems

1,083 of the 7,790 complaints filed about the GMC Acadia are about the electrical system — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2017.

1,083

Complaints

100%

Share of all complaints

15

Crashes

30

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

2007 Acadia 58 5.4%

Median failure at 91,232 miles

2008 Acadia 154 14.2%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

2009 Acadia 47 4.3%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2010 Acadia 45 4.2%

Median failure at 67,639 miles

2011 Acadia 47 4.3%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2012 Acadia 41 3.8%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

2013 Acadia 38 3.5%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2014 Acadia 90 8.3%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

2015 Acadia 29 2.7%

Median failure at 50,500 miles

2016 Acadia 25 2.3%

Median failure at 47,783 miles

2017 Acadia 194 17.9%

Median failure at 34,252 miles

2018 Acadia 108 10.0%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

2019 Acadia 104 9.6%

Median failure at 26,000 miles

2020 Acadia 27 2.5%

Median failure at 1,700 miles

2021 Acadia 38 3.5%

Median failure at 4,800 miles

2022 Acadia 15 1.4%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2023 Acadia 9 0.8%

Median failure at 9,757 miles

2024 Acadia 8 0.7%

Median failure at 600 miles

2025 Acadia 4 0.4%
2026 Acadia 2 0.2%

What owners said

2021 GMC Acadia Beaverdale, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving home from work the car displayed a "No Fuel" warning, despite having a full tank of gas. Within seconds of the display showing the car stalled out and stopped right in the middle of the road. It would not go into neutral and I had to be towed from the middle of the road to a mechanic close by. Upon reading forums online it looks like this is a known and common issue affecting the fuel pump sensor and system in these models. There are no open recalls but being this is known and happens so often I am shocked GMC has not taken ownership to recall and correct this issue. If I had not been on a slower road I could have gotten into an accident and, as I said, the car would not go in neutral so I couldn't even safely get off the road.

NHTSA complaint #11764031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 GMC Acadia Fort Wayne, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

What failed & is it available? The infotainment/radio module failed entirely due to an OTA software update (Codes: U18B4, U0184, B1325). The vehicle and component are fully available for inspection upon request. How was safety at risk? The federally mandated backup camera is now too faint/dim to read, destroying rearview visibility. Bluetooth/hands-free phone pairing is completely disabled, increasing driver distraction risks and preventing compliance with hands-free driving laws. Is it confirmed by a dealer? Yes. A local GMC dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed the module is bricked, quoting $2,286.00 for a hardware replacement. Inspected by manufacturer/others? It has been inspected and confirmed by the local GMC dealer network, but GM corporate has refused to physically inspect or resolve it. Prior symptoms? No prior warning lamps or symptoms occurred. The system functioned perfectly until it instantly crashed during the remote update on August 10, 2026, at 9:00 PM.

NHTSA complaint #11764105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Acadia 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.

2019 GMC Acadia Mckeesport, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

See attached file

NHTSA complaint #11756510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 GMC Acadia Philadelphia, PA

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.

2017 GMC Acadia Foristell, MO

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.

2017 GMC Acadia Greeley, CO

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.

2013 GMC Acadia Salem, IN

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.

2020 GMC Acadia San Francisco, CA

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.

2017 GMC Acadia Mora, MN

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.

2019 GMC Acadia Cincinnati, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Fire Started in Center Console

NHTSA complaint #11749071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Acadia Columbia, MD

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.

2019 GMC Acadia Mayfield, PA

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.

2019 GMC Acadia Winslow, ME

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.

2017 GMC Acadia Wichita, KS

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.

2017 GMC Acadia Hayward, CA

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.

2014 GMC Acadia Kenner, LA Fire

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.

2018 GMC Acadia Yamhill, OR

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.

2019 GMC Acadia Taylorsville, KY

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.

2020 GMC Acadia Pavilion, NY

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.

Other GMC Acadia problems