2016 GMC Acadia

Above average

Owners filed 236 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
50,000 milesMedian miles at failure

63 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags129
305
Steering21
000
Power Train19
222
Electrical System14
100
Unknown or Other11
101
Engine9
000
Seat Belts5
000
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection4
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)4
000
Service Brakes3
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module23V334000
Filed May 10, 2023995,085 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

Air Bags › Critical Fasteners21V246000
Filed Apr 8, 2021108 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Risk. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Seats15V833000
Filed Dec 11, 20152,633 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

Risk. If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor15V609000
Filed Sep 29, 201529,295 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Risk. A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Sep 5, 2026PA

Transmission torque converter required replacement

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2026GA

Technician told me the engine "grenaded itself". "Cylinder #4 melted into the side walls of the cylinder wall caused by air to fuel mix ratio controlled by the ECU failure to mix appropriately." My family and I were traveling for Easter and were stranded on the side of the highway. I had a private repair shop (Greenville Auto Clinic LLC) confirm as well as the local dealership Greenville Chevy. The vehicle required an engine replacement. I did contact GMC's Zone Manager out of Atlanta, GA for assistance, he reduced the bill from over $10,000 down to $6098. There was no error messaging, only an engine that would not respond to the accelerator pedal. The engine would try to accelerate, but struggled to the point it would die when I applied too much pressure on the gas pedal.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 14, 2026IL

The cable that attaches the front driver seatbelt to the base of the seat (left side), suddenly broke when simply buckling the belt.

Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 2026TN

TRANSMISSION BEGAN HESITATING AROUND 1800RPM WITH ONLY 92,000 MILES SHOWING ON THE ODOMETER. IT FEELS LIKE A FLUTTER AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE HEARD THE 2016 YEAR GROUP HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BELIEVE A RECALL IS JUSTIFIED.

Power TrainFire
Filed Jun 6, 2026IN

Without warning transmission overheated, blew out fluid and caught the front end of the vehicle on fire

Power Train
Filed May 1, 2026SC

The torque converter has been going since before I bought this vehicle. When the RPMs are between one and two, the entire vehicle starts shaking and there is no acceleration. This is a huge safety concern, especially with traffic.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 2026WI

Hello. I got a recall and fixed in July 2021 for Blind Spot Sensors/Modules on my 2016 GMC Acadia SLT. Now 3.5 years later Im having the same issue with these sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car, they get water damage, corrosion, and then fail. A very poor design. And seems like the recall didn't fixed the issue either. This must to be a common issue for this car, lots of complaints online even after the recall. And the car dealership wont cover it because it was already fixed at that time and my warranty on my car expired not to long ago. They said it would be about $2000 to fix. I feel like this prematurely failed and it was recalled once for the same issue but now failed again is crazy after 3.5 years. This shouldn't be a on going thing especially after a recall. I shouldn't have to pay for this outta my own pocket for a flawed design and would like my repairs for this to be covered again. Please help. Attached is a invoice from July of 2021 recall that was repaired. I only got a verbal estimate from the dealership (text messages) which I do have. saying that it would be a $2000 fix this time. I didn't go through with it because I feel like it should be covered. Attached pictures of sensor/module in rear bumper that is corroded. Lights on both side mirrors will come on and stay on. Won't shut off. Messages on dash saying "Service Side Dectection System". Blind zone setting won't shut off.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 12, 2026FL

Safety recall that has not been addressed by the dealership in over 4 months

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 7, 2026AZ

The shift to park. It does not want to stay in park. I feel that if it does not stay in park, the vehicle could roll forward or backwards. Yes, it was looked at by an independent service center, and they thought it was on a recall. This is a 2016 GMC Arcadia and the 2017 model and newer have this problem and were on recall. No one else has looked at it. I do not drive the vehicle that often, so it does not have many miles on it. I took it out a few weeks ago and I noticed it.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Mar 23, 2026192,000 milesRI

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 GMC Acadia on February 28, 2026. After purchasing the vehicle, the contact obtained a Carfax report and discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was purchased at an auction. The dealer agreed to refund a portion of the cost of the vehicle. The contact attempted several times to contact the dealer afterwards but was unsuccessful. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 92,400, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 192,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 17, 2026CA

I have a recall on this vehicle that GMC has failed to provide me parts/repair and this recall will be 3 years old in June. I have emailed the local dealer, the manager of the local dealer, GM corporate, and no one has followed through. The best I came to getting the repair was that Corporate made sure I had an appointment and dealer had my part, I went to that appt at my local dealer in Jan 2025 (Premiere GMC of Carlsbad, CA) and waited 2 hours with cars ahead of me (even thought I had an appt) only to be told the part was not there, they would order it and get back to me. Happy to [provide proof of emailing local dealer, GM Corporate etc. with no resolution. I cannot sell my vehicle without this repair done. And I continue to drive daily in an unsafe car.

Steering
Filed Feb 16, 2026OH

While operating my vehicle, the power steering suddenly failed without adequate warning. The steering became extremely difficult, creating a significant safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. A sudden loss of steering assist increases the risk of collision, especially at lower speeds, during turns, or in emergency maneuvers.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Nov 18, 2025300,000 milesIN

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 180,000. The contact stated that it was later discovered upon checking the vehicle information settings, that the mileage was 300,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 2025MI

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2025MI

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Two local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 4, 2025206,000 milesNE

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row seat belts become inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle failed to latch as intended. An unknown dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 23, 2025FL

After the air bag recall i went and had them do it and 3 days later is still coming on. Saying service air bag. And alot of people is having issues with tighen gas cap light. I have replaced everything it could be and still does it. Now i believe its a bigger problem and there is alot of ppl having the same issues. I dont remember the exact date either. This is the absolute worst vehicle ever.

Power Train
Filed Jun 22, 2025MA

Unknowingly what the actual issue is in This 2016 gmc has major safety risk in Electrical major different problems it has caused me safety issue with little one in the car and my family not knowing the issue with not understating it is a safety risk it has shut off 20 times restarting the radio for no reasoning also it sounds like the powertrain is going to stop working unless u put in L shift which i think that is nuts i was on the highway and it just stopped with the key locked in it like what actually f is going on this SUV has had problems since day one

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 7, 2025TX

I was in an accident and my AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. Filed claim with progressive insurance (claim # [XXX]) which they have declared the vehicle a TOTAL LOSS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 29, 2025130,000 milesOH

The contact owned a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that when she had placed the vehicle in reverse (R), and was applying the accelerator pedal, all of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into her neighbor's house. The contact stated that she was rendered unconscious. The contact stated that when she recovered consciousness the police were on scene and issued her a traffic citation. The contact stated that no emergency medical personnel were called to the scene of the accident. The contact stated that she had not gone to a doctor, but she had pain in her back and had bruises on both legs and feet. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that she had called here insurance provider who had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that she had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

20 of 236 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267100Routine
202563000Routine
202457000Routine
202343410Routine
202249310Routine
2021149200Routine
2020100600Routine
2019384220Above average
2018393210Above average
2017702420Above average
2016 — this page236420Above average
2015243430Above average
2014462620Above average
2013135380Routine
2012296520Above average
20112695100Above average
2010343481Fatalities reported
20093317140Above average
20088545130Above average
2007428570Above average

Compare every Acadia year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 10, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.