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2018 GMC Acadia complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2018 record →

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 5, 2024OH

4 years ago I would get a shift to park error. This meant my vehicle did not recognize that it was in park. This meant that my vehicle would not lock, turn off the radio or headlights. My husband tried to fix it, but it turned out to be a part that only a dealership could obtain. So $500 later my vehicle was fixed. This was a KNOWN problem affecting multiple vehicles/years. Fast forward to the third week of February this year. I again am getting this same error. Took it to the dealership and there is a switch along with a transmission control harness and jumper harness that needed replaced. These parts have to do with the original shifter that was replaced 4 years ago, but of course not covered. So now $668 dollars later my vehicle is fixed. This is another KNOWN issue and my repair paper says “replace per bulletin #19-NA-206. Now I am pissed. I want to know why these are not a recall. Both times were a HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I could not lock my car for Pete’s sake. If my car was stolen, what is the first question my insurance company is asking? It would be “ WAS IT LOCKED?” Not to mention MY PERSONAL SAFETY. Anyone could get into my vehicle and wait for me or me and my grandchildren to get in the car. Does human trafficking ring any bells???? What is it that needs to be done to make this a damn recall?

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 27, 2024GA

Leaving work on [XXX], my vehicle started sounding like a loud truck and it started to smoke. I immediately pull over because something smell like it was burning. That's when I call my insurance company to assist me. So, I had it tow to the nearest Mechanic Shop. It was a scary movement for me being along at night. I'm very upset about this had happen to my GMC 2018 Acadia, the Cadillac Converter left is defect. It is not drivable. It's at the shop for least a month. The Mechanic Shop have not received the parts because GMC has a back order. This is to long being without transportation. This is unfair where I continue to pay the monthly bill. Please, I asking to investigate on this matter. I called the Pep Boy Mechanic Shop today and the manager said it still on BACK ORDER. What happen to GMC products? Hope to hear from someone soon! Thanks [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical System
Filed Feb 19, 2024NC

Thermostat fails frequently leading to reduced steering assist and temp gauge drops to below cold while fan runs on high. Along with sporadic blackout on all interior screens/instrument panel.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 10, 2024CT

The shift to park displays and will not allow the vehicle to shut off. This is the second time this has happened in this vehicle. I have 63822 miles and repaired this same issue about 20000 miles ago. Looked into it and it appeared to be a common issue in this year and model. Looking for some insight on what if anything can b me done.thank you

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 11, 2024OH

Whining noise from rear axle when 4x4 engaged.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 18, 2023VA

The vehicle will not shift into park. This is a common problem with this vehicle, many lawsuits. When you walk away one has concerns that the vehicle is actually in park or not.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 17, 2023TN

Shift to park issue is getting worse. I couldn’t turn my car off for hours today. The recall is still pending for this and GMC is doing nothing after thousands of class action lawsuits and complaints. Keeping my car running for hours on end while in park because it won’t turn off is causing electrical issues and using tons of gas. I have to get with an attorney at this point because I can’t use my car lots of the times because I can’t leave it running and unlocked all day while I’m at work or at the store. It’s a MASSIVE safety issue. GMC needs to take accountability and fix these vehicles. This has been ongoing for 2 years now.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 15, 2023NY

When I put my car in Park and go to shut it down, it is not recognizing that it is in park, and will not shut down. I have to spend 30 plus minutes messing with the shifter to try to get it to recognize it is in park when it is indeed in park. I have to start and stop my car a number of times to do so. There have been a number of complaints for this over the years and NOTHING has been done with this. This can be a costly repair as I have seen results in a new transmission.

Steering
Filed Nov 13, 2023NV

The “steering assist reduced. Drive with care” A/C turns off and fan kicks on high. Transmission temp flatlines. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train
Filed Nov 1, 2023PA

I am communicating concerns about my 2018 GMC Acadia. I continue to have problems with the Park/shift to park. I have had this problem consistently escalating this year. It was occurring 2 or 3 times per month, now it is occurring weekly. I cannot turn off the vehicle when placed in park. I went to the dealer (FC Kerbeck) in New Jersey, where I was told I had to pay for this problem $515. This seems to be a manufacturer flaw. I think this is a recall part. This is not my responsibility, I did not do anything to my vehicle for this consistent problem. This “shift to park” is dangerous, as it can lock you in your vehicle.

Steering
Filed Oct 11, 2023PA

Power steering reduces and the temperature gage wont work and the fan is extremely loud so it decreases the steering and increases the fan so it can cool down the engine. Others have submitted a recall form for this same problem

Power Train
Filed Oct 11, 2023TX

Vehicle shifts hard from 1st and while driving when getting up to speed from 2nd gear and 3rd, etc. Happens every time it's driven.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 3, 2023AL

When putting my car in park and turn the car off. the car dashboard says to shift the car in park and beeps. I repeatedly turn the car on and off until the car reads it as being in park. or the car will not turn off completely, it will continue to beep, and it will not lock the doors. I have called a GMC dealer about this issue. There is no warning message except to put the parked car in park!

Steering
Filed Sep 1, 2023CT

While driving I got the alert in my cluster that “power steering assist reduced”. I also noticed there were many other individuals in gmc forums that have had the same issue.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 30, 2023OH

Vehicle does not recognize that it's in park. Once parked a warning comes on telling you to shift to park. The vehicle does not completely shut off because it does not believe that it is in park.

Power Train
Filed Aug 1, 2023PA

After being driving vehicle will not shift into park. When shifter is moved into park position vehicle is not recognizing this and will continue to move. Gear shifter has to be wiggled around for vehicle to finally get into park or at all. Safety concerns - if vehicle is not in park mode vehicle can roll away or continue to move causing damage or injury to persons or property. Online research indicates this is a nationwide problem and there are several lawsuits against gmc concerning this issue. All instances seem to be associated with the Acadia.

Power Train
Filed Jul 24, 2023NE

Numerous occurences especially recently of shift vehicle to park when vehicle has been parked, turned off and already shifted into park position. Several occurrences where almost every time within 24 hours I use my cruise control and air conditioner at the same time my check engine light will come on as well as the stability trac indicator which then causes my air conditioner not to work and inability to start the vehicle due to having a check engine light on.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 24, 2023FL

The thermostat stops working and my a/c stops blowing cold air, and driving assist stops and engine light goes on. It is a rampant problem among GMC Acadias with no reason or fix. Please advise.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 14, 2023TX

The vehicle would intermittently display a "Shift to Park" message and sound alert chiming when moving shifter to park position. The car could not be parked until the chiming and message were dismissed by jiggling the shifter, sometimes after a prolonged battery-draining attempt to end the condition.

Power Train
Filed Jun 5, 202347,211 milesCA

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the transmission was shifted into park(P) however, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed after the contact pressed the Auto Start/Stop button. The contact had to depress the brake pedal while pushing the Auto Start/Stop button to turn the vehicle back on and then shift the transmission from drive(D) to Park(P) approximately 3-4 times before the failure was corrected. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the gear shift assembly; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,211.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 2, 2023PA

When turning off engine it displays "shift to park" and won't shut off. This has been ongoing since I purchased vehicle but is much worse now

Unknown or Other
Filed May 5, 2023MN

Vehicle does not shut off when shift to park. Must put vehicle in gear then shift to park numerous times in order to get the vehicle shut off. Vehicle will not start. Requires numerous attempts applying brake to start

Suspension
Filed Apr 11, 2023VA

Suspension did not meet yearly state inspection standards. Service advisor/technician stated “control arm bushing deteriorated- excessive play”. Rear control arms could be moved with hand pressure excessive play. They stated that this is a very common problem with this make of car at this mileage (41,633).

Power Train
Filed Apr 11, 2023AL

Unknown

Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2023TX

We own a 2018 GMC Acadia Denali. Upon shifting the vehicle into park, we cannot turn off the engine. The vehicle gives us a "Shift to Park" message on the instrument panel. As a result, we are unable to shut off our engine and, to avoid the battery running out, are forced to attempt to move the shift lever in and out of "Park" to get the car to detect that the shift lever is in fact in ‘Park.’”

Power Train
Filed Mar 28, 2023OH

I shift the car into park but the vehicle tells me the car is not in park and won't shut off. GM charged me $656.00 to replace the switch and harness.

Suspension
Filed Mar 27, 2023PA

The toe links on my vehicle are bad and needs to be replaced. They broke as I was driving. Almost caused me to lose control and almost wreck. Thankfully there were no other cars around. I see this is a recall for GMC’s but for some reason not my vin number. Not understanding why if I have the same problem on vehicles that were recalled.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 27, 2023OK

After shifting to park a message comes in screen that is telling me to shift to park I have put it in park so then I have to restart vehicle and move gear shifter back into park sometimes it works on 1st try then sometimes takes extra try’s to get it to clear

Power Train
Filed Mar 7, 2023NY

Erroneous error code on heads up that car not in park. Appears to be in park, error code can be reset by activation/deactivation of trigger switch on shift lever. Provides unclear message if car is or is not in park, vagueness makes me question vehicle park status overall. Issue was very intermittent in 2022, frequency of erroneous error code increasing now happens 1 out of 5 times when shifting to park.

Power Train
Filed Mar 3, 2023MI

2018 Acadia will display “Shift to park” warning along with an audible warning when the vehicle is shut off. This happens even though the PRNDL display is in the “Park” position each time. If I try to exit the vehicle, the audible warning continues (apparently indefinitely). This began at an odometer of about 59,200. Initially, the situation could be corrected by restarting the car and shifting in and out of Park or depressing the shift knob several times. Within a couple of hundred miles, it became consistent and eventually could not be corrected as described above. Unfortunately, this is not covered under warranty. I began driving for a few months without the shift knob, simply depressing the plunger on the shift rod coming up from the transmission. Doing this, the warning rarely occurs and, if it does, it’s easily corrected with one or two presses of the plunger. Some modifications of the shift knob have allowed the knob to be used with results similar to driving without the knob. I hope there will be a software update (deployed over OnStar) to use the PRNDL information and eliminate this failed system.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 16, 2023KY

For months after putting car in park it displays a "Shift to Park" message. It won't let you fully shut down vehicle. Some times I can start it again, back up a little, put it back in park for it to shut off. Not one time though. You have to do it repeatedly. Maybe 6 or 7 times before it works. Most times I just finally have to walk away from the vehicle. Problem being it won't let me lock my car - which the police in our area keep warning us to do to prevent the vehicle thefts. It also continues to 'bing', running down the battery, which could leave me stranded somewhere. I looked this up on line assuming it would be a recall because it is a 'known defect' and there are thousands of complaints on line of people having the same issues and dealer won't take care of. There are lawsuits. This should be a recall.

Power Train
Filed Feb 6, 202346,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that intermittently when the gear was shifted into park(P) and the vehicle was turned off, the "shift into park(P)" message was displayed. The contact stated that she was unable to lock the vehicle and that the interior lights remained on. The vehicle was not yet taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V516000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 30, 2023IA

Shift to park issue. Vehicle appears to be in park but message appears. You have to continuously wiggle shifter and shut car off and off until it registers it is in park. I have no way of knowing if vehicle is truly in park or not. For safety reasons I cannot park in an incline due to concerns the vehicle will roll backwards. Several TBS bulletins have been issued by GMC on this known issue and they deny any responsibility of fixing the situation with a recall. The NHTSA needs to step in and investigate and require GMC to remedy this dangerous defect

Power Train
Filed Jan 20, 2023SC

CAR DOES NOT GO INTO PARK AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. says shift to park when this happens the car does not shut off correctly and must be restarted and jiggle shifter to turn off. this seems to be a well known problem and is on many years of Acadia

Power Train
Filed Jan 18, 2023OK

When I put the car in park, I get the message "Shift to Park". It does not do it every time but it is happening more and more. I have to wiggle the gearshift or restart the car and shift to neutral to try it again. I am wondering about the safety issue and will the vehicle roll if I am not able to get the message to go away? I have researched this and it is happening on a lot of vehicles.

Power Train
Filed Dec 22, 202287,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the gears inadvertently shifted from second gear to third gear and then to neutral. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken back a fourth time where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 28, 2022200,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear liftgate warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection, the liftgate was closed. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the liftgate failed to latch securely and a bungy was used to keep the liftgate closed. The contact stated that the dome light illuminated indicating that the doors were open; however, the doors were securely closed. The contact stated that the roof light was turned off and the radio failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not included.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 20, 2022MO

Shift to park and unlocked shifter knob, the shifter knob is capable of shifting from drive to neutral without pressing the unlock switch on the shifter while driving. Vehicle says shift to park when parking vehicle, car will not shut off or lock when code is up.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Aug 22, 20228,400 milesSD

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while turning off the vehicle, the place shift lever into park message was displayed. The contact had to restart the vehicle several times and move the shifter into the park position for it to disengage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact about the button on the gear shifter that may be used to reset the system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,400.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Aug 22, 2022PA

When I place the gear in park and shut car off, the display states to shift car to park. A loud continuous beep ensues and I would have to start and turn car off several times. The car does not lock nor stop on its own.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Aug 18, 2022CA

I purchased vehicle in 2018 and by 2019 it started showing a message that said error Shift need to park but I was parked and gear in parking mode .I reported to dealer but said they couldn't help me since my warranty was over due to my job I drive alot so I was over the mileage. So they itbwouldnt be covered since then it goes off and on same message and now I can't get off car until it goes off because I'm afraid to let go of brake if the parking gear don't work. I reported to dealer in time to get assistance but they just brushed it off blamed me for the mileage Maybe causing it but I see here I'm not the only one complaining about message "Shift".

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 18, 2022AR

Stabilitrak Warning keeps showing up on dashboard as I turn my vehicle certain down certain roads, round abouts etc like my car shifts or makes it hard to control going around/through certain road conditions.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 22, 2022LA

When I park my 2018 GMC Acadia, my infotainment screen states the following warning: "SWIFT TO PARK", but I have already put my car in PARK. This warning started appearing around 28,000 miles; my currect mileage on my Acadia is 28,379 miles. I have checked if there are any recalls on this issue, but found none, but this issue started appearing in the 2017 models

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 19, 2022IL

Car won’t go into park though I’ve shifted to park. Car starts beeping and displays “SHIFT TO PARK!” even though the vehicle is shut off and gear shifter is in park position. I took to dealership, they stated, “gmc NEEDS to recall this, we have to repair every single GMC Acadia we sell with unfortunately the same defective parts” it’s a $500 fix. I just use my parking break everytime I park now.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 18, 2022CT

The GMC Acadia displays a "shift to park" error. The truck is in park (or appears to be) and the truck says it is not and will not allow it to be turned off. This is a common error with the truck and GMC is refusing to take responsibility and this can cause a fatal error if the truck is not in park and rolls away.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 7, 2022CO

The shift leaver when putting in park has an error code that the vehicle is not in park when it shows it is. The dealer said this is a common problem and replaced the shift leavers wire harness for 600.00. When this happens there is no way to turn the veh power off and it rolls a little before it engages.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 1, 2022OH

I own a 2018 GMC Acadia and sometimes after shifting the vehicle into park and turning it off I get a message that says "shift into park" even though it is in park. This happens intermittently and but it is a bit of a pain when it does. I have to either jiggle the shifter or start the car up again and shift into park again. I just called the GMC dealer where I purchase the vehicle new, Mark Porter in Pomeroy, OH, and they said there is a bulletin from GMC on it and the fix is to replace the shifter harness which would cost me around $300. And they said if that doesn't fix the problem the next step would be to replace the shifter which would cost me another $500. In looking online it seems to be happening to a lot of 2018 GMC Acadia's and am wondering why there is no recall on it.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jun 21, 2022CT

Shift to park error when turning off vehicle, which would not allow the engine to shut off. Had to have shifter and harness replaced.

Power Train
Filed Jun 8, 2022NJ

In 2019 my GMC Acadia had the “shift to park” issue in which my vehicle would not shut off and I would have to repeatedly start and shift the gear shift before it would shut off. The problem was “fixed” at the dealership in June 2019. In May 2022, the “shift to park” issue started again. At the dealership now and was informed that since the vehicle is out of warranty, I would be responsible for repairs this time. This is a safety issue that GMC is well aware and should not happen to begin with let alone after repairs. In no way am I going to be held responsible for repairs that obviously were done with either defective parts or parts that were limited to only 3 years without my knowledge. If I knew I would have to do the same repair in 3 years and I would be responsible for it, I would have argued for better parts to begin with. GMC needs to know that this is a real problem that needs to be dealt with immediately.

Parking Brake
Filed Jun 7, 2022KS

Electronic park brake failed to release, flashing park in red on my instrument cluster and after numerous attempts to release it the amber wrench sign also displayed . I could only get it to release after disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it after a few minutes lapsed. It has continued to do this as recent as last week around the 1st of June 2022.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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