10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,929 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 GMC Acadia:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #264

Oct 302020

Acadia

  • miles
'service air bag' had been on my computer screen for a few days and isn't going off. I purchased this vehicle used and they told me it means something is unplugged. I took it back only to have it come back in months later. It sometimes happen as I'm driving but lately it's there when I turn the ignition. I also have shifting problems out of first gear and sometimes second. I was told it's the wave plates and it's a known issue. How are these vehicles still being sold with the same issues over and over! this happens all the time as I'm driving.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #263

Aug 272020

Acadia

  • miles
I've come to find out my car is throwing a code for the tcm being stuck turns out this is an extremely common issue as well as the wave plate for this model GMC should be held responsible being this is their design flaw and seems to be an issue across the board for almost all Acadias of these years.

- Colonie, NY, USA

problem #262

Dec 152018

Acadia

  • 189,000 miles
This vehicle will all of a sudden start swaying from side to side and the stabilitrak light will come on. In addition, the transmission will suddenly seize up, losing acceleration and nearly causing a crash. The engine will also state that it is overheating, all of a sudden and the vehicle will shut itself off and smoke will start coming from the engine. This has happened while going between 35 and 65 mph. On the streets and highways. My children in the bucket seats in the back were sleep and their heads hit the window. They sustained injury. That was on a regular street and the speed limit was 35 mph. I was within or slightly under the speed limit when the vehicle started swaying unexpectedly. When the road is wet, it will sway from side to side on simple curves in the road. I have had the transmission replaced twice. Due to the safety concerns and fear of my family being fatally injured, it was around christmas time. I have had to park the vehicle. I have contacted GMC by phone several times with no response in return. I spoke with someone and was informed to report it to NHTSA. Maybe something can be done about this before a death occurs.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #261

Dec 272019

Acadia

  • 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Wilkins Buick-GMC 6913 ritchie hwy, glen burnie, md 21061, 410 999-1419, was contacted and the contact was informed that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #260

Sep 172018

Acadia

  • 110,000 miles
Transmission failed, transmission slipped out of gear, transmission stuck in first gear, GM approved a 2013 safety recall for this vehicle, the transmission failed in 2017, the transmission was repaired and the entire engine has been replaced twice. The transmission is failing again because it is a product defect that is dangerous. GM has refused to repair or replace the vehicle and the autonation has refused to repair or replace the vehicle. GM and autonation have sold a dangerous used car with a fraudulent intent. GM and autonation have ratified the intentional fraud. The car needs to be replaced immediately because it is still dangerous to drive and the transmission is currently failing again.

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

problem #259

Sep 022019

Acadia

  • 187,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the service stabilitrak warning indicator remained illuminated, the check engine indicator flashed, and the gear locked in fourth gear. The contact had to release the accelerator pedal to release the gear out of fourth gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

- Dundee, FL, USA

problem #258

Jan 152019

Acadia

  • 85,000 miles
Transmission failure at 85,000 miles. At highway speed the vehicle suddenly races the motor and suddenly slows to about 30 mph, risk of rear end crash. The dealer thinks its the '' 35R wave plate''. this was reported to the dealer when it was in for the steering pump recall [ after it led to a crash]' there was a GM extended warranty on the transmission at that time as then knew it was a problem. They said that time that they '' couldn't replicate the transmission problem it '' at a single test drive. Now that it has completely failed they say the extended warranty has expired time wise and they will not repair it. Despite knowing it is a safety problem freq. To this model year., [ in motion, driving in a straight line]

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #257

Jun 282019

Acadia

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The vehicle was purchased used six months ago. While driving, the vehicle jerked severely while shifting from first into second gear. The vehicle almost veered off the road despite traveling less than 15 mph. Bob allen motor mall Chevrolet Buick GMC (711 maple ave, danville, ky 40422, (859) 795-2006) stated that the interlock shift solenoid failed and needed to be replaced. The part needed to be ordered from out of state. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 158,000.

- Stanford, KY, USA

problem #256

Jul 202018

Acadia

  • miles
Had my transmission fail while camping in the mountains with zero cell phone service. Check engine light came on at 121,657 miles, then deteriorated until it would no longer move when pressing on the gas pedal. Taken to the local dealer told me that the transmission needs complete replacement totalling 4.5K. GMC refused to assist me in any manner towards the bill even though this is a very known issue with this make of vehicle. There needs to be a recall on these transmissions as it is a dealer defect.

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #255

Sep 032018

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the gear shifter seized and was unable to move into park. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 09V073000 (power train). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000. * consumer stated transmission shift cable failed after a few day of difficulty putting shifter into P park. Ultimately was unable to put the car in park at all. If I kept driving and there was an issue with the transmission and not properly shifting - very dangerous. Updated 11/1/18

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

problem #254

Aug 012018

Acadia

  • miles
Worst vehicle ever.

- Batesville, IN, USA

problem #253

Jun 052018

Acadia

  • 75,000 miles
This is the worst viechle we have every bought. You name it an it has gone wrong. Transmission twice, timing, power steering, tailgate, we have never pulled anything with our car. When it rains the steering locks up.. one minute we are going 70 and bam the car turns off. I can keep going. GMC pretty much just said oh well. This have happened so many times I lost track.

- Batesville, IN, USA

problem #252

Aug 142018

Acadia

  • 109,000 miles
There is a recall on the convertrr post that causes the engine to seize up and pull to go into the engine.. when started nothing comes out of the exhaust pipes as they are clogged making it dangerous to operate.. the recall ignoramus this year, make and model for the same problem however after contacting GMC repeatedly they say that it doesn't include this exact VIN..I have already had the engine replaced once due to this problem and ther dealer failed to diagnose it properly and acknowledge that it had the same problem as the recall in other vehicles ofthe same make and model... the vehicle sizes up at any rate of speed and the exhaust is clogged making the vehicle dangerous to operate

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #251

Jul 232018

Acadia

  • 85,500 miles
I needed to add this information to complaint 11113379. Sometimes the care would be shifting okay and going 55 miles per hour and then it would downshift to 1st gear and stay in first gear

- Lake Odessa, MI, USA

problem #250

Jul 232018

Acadia

  • 85,500 miles
My vehicle has 85,500 miles on engline and transmission. I bought the vehicle when it had 36,000 miles on it. I have never pulled anything behind my vehicle that would put strain on the transmission. I took it to the mechanic and found out I needed a new transmission. The vehicle would stay in 1st gear and would not shift to a higher gear.

- Lake Odessa, MI, USA

problem #249

Jul 092018

Acadia

  • 179,255 miles
Since I purchased the vehicle the service air bag light has been on, now the transmission hot idle engine light is popping on and also service the traction control light and service stabilitrak ligt is coming on. Me my family had taken a vacation to Florida and the transmission began to startle all the way back to Tennessee leaving us in a devastated situation. I was hoping there was a recall on the transmission and and air bags this is very dangerous as many others has complained about the same issues in the past concerning their 2008 Acadia vehicles this vehicle was in motion on a city expressway with a high volume of fast moving traffic. I went to auto zone and O' reilly auto parts to have check engine test and the following codes appeared dtc P2762 torque converter clutch, P0700 automatic transmission control, P0171 fuel control system. And computer error. I don't know if this vehicle ever me recall but I feel me my family could have been severely injured as the fast moving vehicle was coming behind us as our vehicle lost power and connection.

- Bolivar, TN, USA

problem #248

Apr 182018

Acadia

  • 106,000 miles
For the past 6-9 months I have been experiencing problems with unwarranted speed shifting, hard shift changes & overall transmission issues. I have had my car to transmission specialists almoat on a monthly basis for these issues. I was told by the specialist that he repairs at least 3 cars of my same make & model per week. He said he is noticing a very common failure in each vehicle. My vehicle has power but the speed & gear shift are huge safety issues, as it is very random & unprovoked. I have been driving on the highway & my vehicle would just stall or shift. I have had to carefully pull over to the side of the road to avoid a major accident.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #247

Mar 062018

Acadia

  • miles
This car came with a 30 day and/or 1000 miles warranty. Within a week pass the warranty it started. The radio illumination started to go out we would have to tap on it to get it to turn on so we could see the time etc. Then it would not come back on at all and all chimes went away., stopped working altogether. No turn single indicator, seat belts, back up warning, door ajar etc. The passenger side air bag indicator would say no one when someone was sitting in it and while driving blink between the two. Also air bag needs maintance indictor in dash will flash while driving. Park assistant on and off will flash while driving. The steering will move in itself while driving and around bends/turns in the road and worsening on highway! to the point I do not take my children on. There is also a faint burn smell around front floor.I decided to take it to the local advanced auto parts store and have them hook it up to see why I lost my radio, steering etc. They tell me that it was a dead battery cell and that my battery is located in the floor of this vehicle behind the passenger seat. By the way this vehicle does not have a sunroof all the windows go up tight as well. I called my mechanic who I've known for years my family has went to him as well and asked him to assist me in the battery issue. So we get there he opens the floor behind my seat and we discovered the battery is underwater dark sludgy water! the battery is replaced after a very unprofessional and disrespectful experience with this particular establishment by now I am at my wits end. I've exhausted all efforts with them! I paid to have a GMC certified mechanic run diagnostic on these issues at hand and to my thinking they determined to be flood and/or water damage and would need further diagnostics. However puzzling the VIN is clean and no recent or active recalls. I am barely into this contract 3 months!

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #246

Dec 202017

Acadia

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving 40-45 mph, the engine would not switch gears. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the engine, and was able to drive the vehicle to the contact's residence. The contact experienced the same failure 18 months ago. The vehicle was taken to todd wenzel Buick GMC (614 N state rd, davison, mi 48423) where it was diagnosed that a new transmission control module was needed. The manufacturer was contacted at 1-800-462-8782 and did not assist. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 124,000.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

problem #245

May 312017

Acadia

  • miles
I purchased a used 2008 GMC Acadia in May 2017 ever since I purchased this vehicle I have had nothing but problems I purchased this vehicle because my daughter is a senior in high school and I knew that we would be needing it to travel from state to state for college tours. Every since I purchased we have not been able to travel because of the continuous light to come on, continuous codes that comes on and it causes the car to run horribly I am spending $20-$30 a day on gas and I'm also noticing that the oil is just evaporating but I'm not seeing it on the ground I continue to take it to the mechanic he continue to fix things that the codes gives him. I'm still spending money and I'm still not getting any results I have not been able to travel in this vehicle because I refuse to get on the highway with my child and breakdown in the middle of nowhere. What we need to do is start a petition with GMC because if everyone is having these problems then it is a serious problem I am to the point where I am ready to start a lawsuit. I mean let's be honest what are we waiting for either us or one of our loved ones to die and is known death trap. There are so many recalls on this vehicle that all of them should be just called in and repaired apparently it's a problem with GMC assembling the vehicle and they do not want to own up to their responsibilities and it's not fair to us that I lives are at stake.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »