10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 45,515 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.
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to remain open. In addition, the contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15V415000 (structure) however, the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the parts. The dealer was contacted and was unable to provide a time frame for when the parts would become available for repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
- Wethersfield, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the power liftgate was enagged and placed in an upward position when it abruptly closed onto the contact's head. The contact sustained a bump on the head that resulted in minor headaches. There was no medical attention required. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V415000 (structure) however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Fayetteville, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the day time running lights failed on several occasions. The contact indicated that the sockets and housing failed to support the power for the lighting wattage, causing the components to prematurely melt. The bulbs were replaced more than twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who recommended that the housing be replaced for the day time running light assemblies. The failure recurred with both lights shorting. The dealer, per the contact's request, disconnected the day time running lights to prevent the failure from recurring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided no remedy. In addition, the contact experienced the rear liftgate closing with force, which bruised his head. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V415000 (structure) but was waiting for months to determine when the manufacturer would be able to supply the remedy and the part to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 47,274. Updated 11/20/15 updated 12/14/2017
- Santa Cruz, CA, USA
While emptying out the rear of the vehicle, the lift gate proceeded to descend while I was taking out our suitcases. I was unaware this was happening and my hand was on the right side of the vehicle hatch. The lift gate did not stop when it hit my hand and I immediately pulled away from it catching my finger on the sharp side of the mechanism. It ripped open my middle finger, cutting it to the tendon, requiring a trip to the emergency room. I had to get eleven stitches to close the wound and a tetanus shot. After we arrived home and investigated the problem, we discovered the struts on the lift gate must have been weak to let the hatch descend. The problem is that there is no fail safe when this happens to stop the descent! my brother-in-law also got caught and it took a great deal of muscle to push it up. What would happen if a child got caught in it? I hate to think of the outcome. It would seem to me that this default would be a priority issue to consider. The fail safe should work no matter what. I am concerned this could be a life threatening situation. Appreciate any comments you may have on the above incident.
- Ann Arbor,, MI, USA
A female used the automatic liftgate option to open the back gate and get items out of the back. After the gate opened fully, it fell forcefully for about 2 feet, directly onto her head. This resulted in her falling to the ground on concrete, blacking out, and becoming very dizzy and nauseas. She is currently being transported by ambulance to the hospital. This is a definite safety issue and malfunction that may cause serious injury or death.
- Dora, AL, USA
Power liftgate strut broke or malfunctioned while I was removing items from the trunk. The heavy trunk lid dropped about 18 inches, hit my back and then started to automatically close on my back and head. When the trunk lid hit my body, it still tried close with the power function even though there as an obstruction. I was able to squeeze under the closing lid and escaped injury. I am very concerned that if a child or elderly person were removing items from the trunk that they would have been injured. There are numerous posts on the internet about Acadia liftgate problems.
- St. Simons Island, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. While the vehicle was parked an occupant was standing underneath the lift gate and the door suddenly began to close on its own. The occupant sustained scratches to her hand and was able to avoid being struck. The contact stated there was a safety feature for the lift gate to open automatically if something was underneath it while it was closing but it did not function. The contact also stated when the lift gate opened halfway it automatically began to close. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The approximate failure mileage was 30,894.
- Demascus, MD, USA
I opened my tailgage today, 12/13/09, to put some items into my trunk. I leaned in to get them situated & secure when suddenly the liftgate slammed down on my lower back, trapping me against the inside of my trunk. I was unable to lift the gate and had to slither out onto the ground, at which point the liftgate completely closed. I reopened the liftgate, unsure of what had happened, and woosh! it slammed shut again. The liftgate will not stay up, and clearly the sensors that are supposed to detect objects impeding it's closure are not working. I have two small children who often get items out of the trunk - such as jackets or umbrellas - and if this had happened to them, it would have been their head or neck that got caught. I brought the car into lehmer's GMC in concord ca this morning after visiting the doctor who looked at my swollen lower back. They told me since I wished to file a claim with GMC -- not for compensation, simply to have official written notice that this is a dangerous occurrence -- that they would not repair the liftgate and would have to give it back to me still damaged and dangerous. I'm quite surprised that they would return a potentially dangerous vehicle to a customer. My lower back is currently swollen and sore. I've called my doctor's office to request an appointment for tomorrow morning when they open and I will be taking the car into concord GMC for service.
- Lafayette, CA, USA
- Burton, MI, USA