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GMC · NHTSA safety record

2019 GMC Acadia

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 386 safety complaints about the 2019 GMC Acadia with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the tires and the power train.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 154 complaints, 40% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 40,000 miles, the median across the 83 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

386 complaints on file

386

Complaints

5

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 119 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 68 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 154 · 40%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 120 · 31%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 105 · 27%
ENGINE 53 · 14%
STEERING 33 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 16 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6 · 2%
LANE DEPARTURE 6 · 2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5 · 1%
SUSPENSION 5 · 1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 1%
0 65 131

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 386.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 103.

112 84 56 28
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 GMC ACADIA, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.0% 16.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

TIRES

21V115000 · February 25, 2021

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
The risk
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

General Motors, LLC · up to 33,838 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

20V668000 · October 29, 2020

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
The risk
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

General Motors LLC · up to 194,105 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 33,717 miles

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the brake pedal was applied but failed to slow the vehicle down. As a result, the contact rear ended a Chevrolet Tahoe. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The contact sustained soreness to the body and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop for structural damage. The contact stated that after the vehicle was in her possession the safety restraint system service message was displayed. The fuel gauge went from full to empty in seconds and the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the brakes

NHTSA complaint 11441919, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured

The Rear Hood was opened to get groceries. All of a sudden the hood came down on my back. I had to push the hood up manually, and tried to close with remote or with button on the hood but the Rear hood would not close. I then had to manually close the hood. On August 11, 2021 I took the car to the dealer and they replaced both Rear Hood Struts that wear leaking fluid. This SUV is only 2 years old with 16000 miles and should not be having these type of safety issues that can potentially be life threatening.

NHTSA complaint 11432670. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 65,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the engine caught on fire with no warning light illuminated. The fire was put out by the Chicago Fire Department and after the vehicle was inspected the cause of the fire was determined as a failure with the electrical system. A police report was filed with the Chicago Police Department and a report was provided. No injuries occurred and no medical attention was needed. The vehicle was not towed. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint 11596514. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

Fire Started in Center Console

NHTSA complaint 11749071. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While attempting to turn vehicle off, the message shift to park was given. Could not shut vehicle off! Has happened multiple times in the past, then disappears for awhile. Comes back again at will. Have seen multiple complaints on this issue falling back to a defective micro-switch within the shifter assym. Former GM tech here---

NHTSA complaint 11765518. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I own a 2019 GMC Acadia equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine. VIN. See form above In 2025, the engine coolant thermostat failed on my vehicle and required replacement at my expense. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this may represent a recurring component problem affecting 2019 GMC Acadia vehicles and I would like NHTSA to determine whether the condition presents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. General Motors has published service information addressing thermostat-related conditions on GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the 3.6L engine. GM has also issued special coverage for an engine coolant thermostat condition on certain GM vehicles. GM’s special coverage

NHTSA complaint 11765267, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

64,382 miles

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate fuel level. The fuel sending unit was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The contact became aware of the recurring failure while refueling the vehicle and noticing that the vehicle consumed more fuel than the fuel gauge indicated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the fuel sending unit needed to be disassembled for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was 64,382.

NHTSA complaint 11764429. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I am submitting this complaint to request that NHTSA investigate a potential safety defect involving the engine coolant temperature monitoring system, thermostat/engine coolant temperature sensor system, and its relationship to reduced steering assist in 2019 GMC Acadia vehicles. My 2019 GMC Acadia, currently at approximately 91,500 miles, has experienced the following symptoms: • The engine temperature gauge remains flat or reads abnormally low/cold. • The cooling fans run continuously at extremely high speed, creating a loud "screaming" fan noise. • The vehicle displays the warning message "Steering Assist is Reduced — Drive with Care." • The vehicle has a history of diagnostic trouble

NHTSA complaint 11764000, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle continued to have Shift to park message when car was already in park. This is a known issue in some other GMC vehicles. Safety issue that the battery could drain or the car could roll unexpectedly. This message repeatedly displayed on the vehicle. The dealer confirmed the problem and performed the repair. Repair order number is XXX for $549.17 on XXX at Boucher Buick GMC of Waukesha [XXX].While there isn't a recall on file for this specific VIN number, I believe it should be included in the recall and I am requesting reimbursement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11762800. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
On XXX at 1:56pm, I took the vehicle to Jiffy Lube service center #810 for the "Quick Oil Change Service" which includes checking and filling the Tranmission/Axle fluid. Per the attached receipt the Transmission/Axle fluid was "OK", and the next service was recommended after 5,000 addtional miles from the then current mileage of 153,317. On the morning o XXX, the car began experiencing issues identical to vehicle recall NHTSA ID Number: 20V668000. The check engine light turned on and the vehicle could maintain proper propulsion. On XXX at 3:25pm EST, I took the vehicle to AutoZone store #01664, whose "FixFinder" computer diagnostic inicated code PO700 "Transmission Control Module Requested

NHTSA complaint 11757610, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Acadia

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 9 1 —
2025 65 0 —
2024 61 0 —
2023 43 4 —
2022 49 3 —
2021 149 2 —
2020 105 6 —
2018 396 2 —
2017 704 4 —
2016 236 4 —
2015 243 4 —
2014 462 6 —
2013 135 3 —
2012 296 5 —
2011 269 5 —
2010 343 4 1

Other 2019 GMC models

Sierra 1500 647 Terrain 185 Yukon XL 68 Yukon 55 Sierra 2500 32 Sierra 3500 13

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every GMC on this site — 149 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst