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GMC Acadia 2017–2023

2nd generation · GM C1XX

NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,529 complaints, 958 with mileageMethod

On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 16,000 and 48,000 miles.

10%

2,500

25%

16,000

Median

32,900

75%

48,000

90%

72,000

Tallest bin: 183 complaints between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. Based on 958 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 10,000 miles.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

What fails, and when

Each bar spans the middle half of reports for that system; the tick marks the median.

1. Transmission and driveline37,000median 37,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 56,000
2. Electrical system31,000median 31,000 miles, middle half 14,000 to 43,000
3. Problems owners could not categorise30,000median 29,840 miles, middle half 15,000 to 40,000
4. Engine35,000median 35,020 miles, middle half 17,000 to 49,000
5. Steering48,000median 48,000 miles, middle half 28,000 to 78,000
6. Brakes28,000median 28,500 miles, middle half 16,000 to 41,000
7. Airbag system16,000median 16,000 miles, middle half 4,500 to 70,000

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 32,900 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 23.8% of complaints (603 reports, 307 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 37,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 56,500 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 19.5% of complaints (492 reports, 190 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 31,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 14,009 and 43,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 17.9% of complaints (452 reports, 141 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 29,840 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 40,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 8.7% of complaints (220 reports, 58 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 35,020 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,300 and 48,900 miles.

The steering accounts for 5.1% of complaints (129 reports, 24 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 48,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,792 and 78,000 miles.

The brakes account for 3.8% of complaints (97 reports, 42 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 28,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 41,000 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2017 model year drew the most — 954 complaints — while 2023 drew the fewest at 66. The median year sits at 215.

That makes 2017 an outlier: roughly 4.4 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (4), the fuel system (4), the airbag system (3). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 2,529 complaints filed against this generation, 71 reported a crash; 12 reported a fire; 81 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 2.8% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 16,000 and 48,000 miles, with a median of 32,900. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 31,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

By model year

Recalls (18)

What owners reported

The 2017 GMC Acadia horn takes an unreasonable amount of force to engage. This has been noted by several users. My spouse had a semi truck come into her lane a day ago and could not get horn to sound to warn other driver. GMC dealership investigated and said its just the way the assembly works in this model. I…

2017 · 2 miles · Airbag system

Hearing rattle sound from 2nd and 3rd row from day1 for 2017 GMC Acadia denali. Primary source seems(something inside) seats in 2nd row and may be 3rd row. Rattle can be heard when going over bumps or bad road patches on usual city roads. Seems whenever vehicle goes over a bad road patch, 2nd/3rd row seats vibrate a…

2017 · 5 miles · Body structure

The horn is extremely difficult to activate. A person must use extreme weight and pressure to get the horn to work. Dealership told me that i am not the first person to complain about the issue but as of yet there is no repair that they have to fix the problem. This occurs no matter whether the vehicle is moving or…

2017 · 20 miles · Problems owners could not categorise

Vehicle states, 'shift to park,' when trying to turn off engine when it is already in park. Turn vehicle back on and have to shift multiple times out and then back into park before car will recognize it is in fact in park to shut down entire engine. Have replaced battery once already. Vehicle is stationary and foot…

2017 · 20 miles · Engine

Built from 958 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page

Other generations

• Acadia 2007–2016
• Acadia 2024–2025