8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,290
Average Mileage:
74,000 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace pac line (1 reports)
  3. replaced high side lines/schrader valve low side (1 reports)
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problem #5

Sep 032022

Acadia Denali

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

So after my family and I was hit by lighting while driving home. I had to go out of pocket to get a replacement vehicle since my insurance company wouldn't help with the lighting that fried my current vehicle (a Nissan btw I absolutely loved ) so used the savings to go make the worst decision of my life bc I ended up with this lovely piece of junk in May of 2022. Also know as the 2012 GMC Acadia Denali ala worst decision I ever made and well it wasn't even a week after I purchased the GMC when the air started to act as though it was going out so we added freon and it got back to normal and blew cold again then about a month after that it went out again and added more freon is sorta got colder then back to hot.

Well it don't matter if i add freon now or not it is hot regardless you push the ac button and it will flash 3 times then goes off I hear a click under the passenger dash when I turn it from defrost to blow to the feet or face but hot air only now in Louisiana we cant do summers without ac its horrible not to mention all the other trouble it has like the lift gate arm is broken and the dvd player and screen don't work the navigation disk doesn't work, cd player don't read disk, the interior lights work only when it wants to the car has exhaust that seeps insides the car the car will stall out and shudder when slowing or accelerating the gas. The defrost doesn't work, the stability trac and service traction control continues to flash along with the engine light flashing the car obd2 reads there is a emissions leak and high purge flow and there is a misfire 2.

The head light will flicker off at night like its some sort of electrical issues and the car will occasionally go through spells where it will take up to 10 minutes to recognize the key and actually allow the key to start the car. I had to pay someone to drive me 2 hours to get to a friends vehicle to barrow so I could drive another 4 hours to get the car and had to pay the gas for both the vehicles the 6 hours to drive back. Not to mention the GMC still needs some struts shocks and a motor mount that I recently was told is broke on one side why does all these complaints that are all the same go unresolved and GMC not held accountable for why do GMC get to continue to sell these malfunctioning vehicles and screw the people that are getting stuck with their automobiles that are not and do not run or remotely function as they should be guaranteed to run.

What do people have to do to get GMC to repair their poor workmanship of their products they distribute or is it we are the fools to think we can trust GMC and thinking we wont be screwed when buying from GMC. I can't afford cost to think about bringing it to a mechanic nor can I afford a new vehicle so I guess I'm screwed once again thank you GMC for nothing but trouble...

- Kandace G., Forest Hill, LA, US

problem #4

Sep 042018

Acadia

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,365 miles

I have hardly any miles on my vehicle and have taken excellent care of it. I purchased it new and 35 days after the warranty expires the A/C starts flashing and will not work. I have not taken it to the dealership yet for repairs. But I have called them and they stated that it is probably a leak that is caused from the line getting hot and melting. Also the replacement line will have a shield on it to prevent this from happening in the future. If this is true, Then why hasn't GMC issued a recall on this issue and repaired it. This is a known defect of the manufacturing of the vehicle and should not have to be paid for by the owners of the vehicle. I strongly feel that they should be liable for all costs to have this repaired.

- Arlene B., Decatur, IL, US

problem #3

Jun 102016

Acadia Denali 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,909 miles

We had the motor replace in December of 2015, and the wife said she would he some vibrating when she was stopped or idling at a light. I didn't notice because I rarely drove the car. But in June she called and said the ac was not working. I took it to a buddy and he found the issue quick. There's an ac line between the motor and the firewall. The power steering line rubbed against it and created a leak on the line.

Took it to the dealer and they said it was not their fault or issue. I asked if it was pre-existing why didn't the tech see the lines rubbing when the motor was replaced in December. They couldn't answer my question. Told me that they couldn't do anything for me or even meet in the middle.

- jdiazwa, Kennewick, WA, US

problem #2

May 012015

Acadia Denali 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,923 miles

2012 Acadia Denali. Purchased used in February 2015. 90 000km.

AC not working. AC light flashes 3 times then stays off. I hear noise like someone is in a respirator, No cold air. Very hot in the car.

I will take it to the dealer, or maybe a repair shop since the warranty is over.

Update from Aug 26, 2015: The AC system was empty. A friend of mine is a mechanic. He refilled it, cost 25$ max, and it worked. It's been 5 weeks now. I think it's low again, it does not feel as cold as it used to after filling.

At the dealer they wanted about 300$ for this! Not fixed, just a refill. 600$ min for a fix, plus parts.

- nib, Embrun, ON, Canada

problem #1

Apr 012015

Acadia Denali 3.6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,703 miles

click to see larger images

A/C light blinks and a/c won't come on

My wife and I bought the 2012 Acadia Denali around October 2012 and we are already having to take this vehicle to the shop for A/C not wanting to come on. I find it hard to believe that our brand new vehicle is giving us problems already.

Since before we purchased it, we had a 2003 Lincoln Navigator with over 100,000+ miles with no A/C problems. The service guy advised me that found both of my high side lines leaking and that the system needed to be recharged. They replaced both lines, the schrader valve on the low side, and preformed evacuate and recharge all for $1266. This is the first major repair that we have had to make on this vehicle so far.

From reading online and talking to the service guy at the shop, he advised me that A/C not wanting to work was a common problem with the Acadia's. I believe if its a common problem for a NEW vehicle, then there needs to be a recall on it. I was thinking there is no way a vehicle that is barely 3 years old is giving us these type of problem.

This past spring break is when we hit over 50,000 miles and the A/C quits working and not to mention not covered under warranty. I know if this problem persist we will take our money back to FORD and get another Lincoln since because at this point in time we feel their vehicles are more reliable. Just speaking on my past experiences with Lincoln.

- Arledi J., Killeen, TX, US