2018 GMC Acadia

Above average

Owners filed 393 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

179 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,00040,000 miles; the median is 32,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train118
201
Unknown or Other92
000
Electrical System91
213
Service Brakes17
408
Engine16
000
Steering11
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift9
000
Seat Belts4
000
Wheels3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump18V358000
Filed May 31, 2018895 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Risk. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft17V516000
Filed Aug 22, 20172,905 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.

Risk. If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2026VA

The car will frequently but not always fail to shut off when the start/stop button is pushed while in Park. The message "shift to park" come up on the display and a yellow light comes on in the button. I have to restart the engine and it often takes as many as 10 attempts to finally shut off the engine. Between each attempt I have to shift the transmission out of park and back into park. This has been happening for more than a month.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 31, 2026IN

I am unknown of what the issue is with the seatbelts on all seats will not properly lock.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 31, 2026IN

I’m getting a shift to park on my dash after it’s already in park. This causes the break to get stuck when driving.

Power Train
Filed Aug 10, 202610,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The gear shifter was moved back and forth, then shifted into park (P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the gear shifter was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the gear shifter, switch, and harness were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 21, 202680,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after parking and then attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message " Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be parked and turned off successfully after various attempts, which included restarting the vehicle and engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 2026FL

When trying to put car in park a "shift to park" notice appears on dashboard not allowing the car to be turned off. It takes multiple attemps be able to get the car into park and turn OFF. This has been an ongoing problem for several years and reported to the dealer. To date the dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with the car. Battery has been changed multiple times.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 9, 2026MA

While driving the temperature gauge drops from normal to cold , the dash displays " steering assist reduced" and the fan is very loud . My mechanic said the thermostat and or sensor needs to be replaced . When he resets with the reader its good for about a week and temperature gauge is normal. After seven days it repeats I only have 40,000 miles on the vehicle and its a 1,400 dollar job. I believe this should be a recall because i have seen a lot of the same complaints in this forum and what about the people who have the same problem but don't complain ?

Steering
Filed Jul 7, 2026MA

When I’m driving on the highway, I get a message on my dashboard saying steering assist reduced, drive with care. I have taken to the GMC dealership and they will not cover this repair even though it would be covered for 2021 GMC. When this happens, my car makes a loud noise and my steering wheel does not feel right. I do not feel safe.

Power Train
Filed Jul 3, 2026PA

Gear shifter is not registering that the vehicle is in park. Because of this issue I have to sit in the vehicle for up to 15 mins trying to get it to register that it is in fact in park and can turn off. If I didn't take the time to do this, it would kill my battery. Unfortunately with the heat index, the vehicle gets hot very quickly and im now worried about getting hot stroke trying to get it to register it is park. This is a known issue with the vehicle that has an active recall for other vin numbers with the same issue.

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2026CT

Hesitants and Shudders when shifting into 2nd gear.

Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2026CA

This is the second time I am having to replace gear shift with under 160000 miles. Turn the car off and it tells me the car is not in park when it is. It can not tell what gear it is in or when. AGAIN. This is the second repair

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 8, 2026OR

Shift to park Malfunction again, 4 th time!! 1000$ to fix is ridiculous

Steering
Filed Jun 1, 202678,000 milesWI

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the steering assist reduced warning light illuminated. The contact's husband attached a portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle, and P0128 was the failure code. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 21, 2026TX

When I put the shifter to park, it still dings and tells me "shift to park" and I struggle to make it go away and to be able to make it stop and be able to lock the car. It happens every time I drive it. Thank you

Electrical System
Filed May 21, 2026KY

Shift to park error Vehicle won’t shut off

Steering
Filed May 20, 2026TX

I am getting the known P0128 code. My engine says it's cold when it's not, my AC isn't working, and I am getting a message that says "Steer assist reduced. Drive with care". This is a known problem and complaint of the GMC Acadia.

Power Train
Filed May 19, 2026AR

The transmission kept slipping. the car continued to lose power until it just wouldn't go anymore. The mechanic said it is definitely the transmission and drive shaft but my particular VIN is not included. I am looking at $7,000 in repairs on a car I owe $13,000.00

Electrical System
Filed May 15, 2026MI

For the last 6 months, I keep getting a "shift to Park" message on my dashboard indicating that my vehicle is not in park (in which it is). The problem is getting wors, so I called GMC on 5/14/26 to inquire and was informed that my VIN number WAS not include in the resent class action lawsuit for this issue. I then found out by searching myself on line for other complaints that GMC is very aware of this situation and yet refuses to fix the issue free of charge to customers. According to TSB 19-NA-206, t does list my year , make and model of vehicle affected by this faulty part. On 5.15.26, I called the dealership to inquire and was informed that my VIN was not covered under warranty (which I had already known), and that that service I would have to pay lots of money out of pocket for it. The service tech did look in the system and claims (without me even knowing that they had did that repair already....He lied I'm for sure). I informed him well if they did repair that part, and I'm still getting an error message about the same thing, clearly its faulty and the dealership should be responsible for fixing it. This was not the case as I was informed it would have to be out of my pocket. This mess is unfair! GMC is well aware of this faulty pat on vehicles, and to refuse to fix it free of charge is just down right hurtful! GMS is responsible for repairing this part on everyone's vehicle as it is a hazard to everyone and the community to have a vehicle unstable to be able to slide

Power Train
Filed May 2, 2026TN

I have a 2018 GMC Acadia SLT with the thermometer and temperature sensor that throws the steering assist error message, engine fan turns on and AC shuts off.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 29, 2026MI

When I put the car in park and shut off the vehicle, I am getting a shift to park message with an audible sound. The car is in park already. Happens every time almost. It’s not showing up as a recall under my vin. Just got the car. I have seen more recall issues on Google and am concerned those will also occur which are more serious and aren’t listed either.

20 of 393 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267100Routine
202563000Routine
202457000Routine
202343410Routine
202249310Routine
2021149200Routine
2020100600Routine
2019384220Above average
2018 — this page393210Above average
2017702420Above average
2016236420Above 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 31, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.