GMC Acadia problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The best-documented GMC Acadia problem is timing chain stretch on 2007–2014 models with the 3.6L V6, and 2007–2009 Acadias can lose reverse from a cracked transmission wave plate. First-generation models carry air bag and liftgate recalls, 2017–2019 models can show a false "Shift to Park" message, and 2024+ 2.5L turbo models are under a stalling investigation.

CarWhere lists 9 documented Acadia issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Acadia generations at a glance

GMC Acadia generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
1st gen2007–2017Timing chain stretch on the 3.6L V6 · Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse (6-speed wave plate) · "Service Air Bag" light from seat side-air-bag wiring (recall) · Power liftgate struts can wear and let the gate fall (recall) · Driver air bag inflator may rupture (recall)
2nd gen2017–2023Right-front intermediate driveshaft can fracture (recall) · "Shift to Park" message when already in Park
3rd gen2024–presentStalling after remote start or during warm-up (2.5L turbo) · Front seat recliner bracket may have insufficient welds (recall)

1st gen Acadia problems (2007–2017)

Timing chain stretch on the 3.6L V6 (2007–2014)

Major repair
Generation:
1st gen (2007–2014)
Years:
2007–2014
Powertrain:
3.6L V6 (LY7, LLT)

GM bulletin 12-06-01-009A lists the Acadia among the 3.6L "High Feature" V6 vehicles that can need new timing chains and guides when cam/crank correlation codes P0008, P0009 or P0016–P0019 set. GM's preliminary bulletin PIP3423K, which extends the list through the 2014 model year, adds that a shifted crankshaft reluctor can also trigger the same codes. Chain wear is gradual and shows up most on engines run on long oil-change intervals.

Symptoms

  • Check-engine light with P0008, P0016, P0017, P0018 or P0019
  • Rattle on a cold start
  • Rough idle or reduced power

Check before buying

  • Scan for stored or pending cam/crank correlation codes
  • Listen to a true cold start
  • Ask for oil-change records and any timing-chain repair invoice

Sources: [1][2]

Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse (6-speed wave plate) (2007–2009)

Major repair
Generation:
1st gen (2007–2009)
Years:
2007–2009
Powertrain:
3.6L V6 with 6-speed automatic (6T75)

The 3-5-reverse clutch wave plate in the 6-speed automatic can crack or fracture, after which the transmission loses 3rd, 5th and reverse gears. GM Special Coverage 14404B covered 2007–2009 Acadia models for 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date with a no-charge clutch plate replacement; based on those terms, the coverage window has closed.

Symptoms

  • No reverse gear
  • Transmission skips from 2nd to 4th or 6th
  • Check-engine light with transmission codes

Check before buying

  • Test reverse and every forward gear in manual mode
  • Ask for records of any wave-plate or transmission repair

Sources: [3]

"Service Air Bag" light from seat side-air-bag wiring (recall) (2008–2013)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2008–2013)
Years:
2008–2013
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled 2008–2013 Acadia models because increased resistance in the wiring for the seat-mounted side air bags could stop the side air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying in a crash. The warning sign is a "Service Air Bag" message.

Symptoms

  • "Service Air Bag" message or air bag warning lamp
  • Warning that comes and goes when the front seats move

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order
  • Watch the air bag lamp go out after start-up

NHTSA recall: 14V118 (2014-03)

Sources: [4]

Power liftgate struts can wear and let the gate fall (recall) (2007–2012)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2007–2012)
Years:
2007–2012
Powertrain:
All engines (power liftgate)

On 2007–2012 Acadia models with a power liftgate, the gas struts that hold the gate open can wear prematurely, so an open liftgate may suddenly drop on someone underneath it.

Symptoms

  • Liftgate drifts down or will not stay fully open
  • Power liftgate motor straining or stopping partway

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order
  • Open the liftgate fully and confirm it holds position

NHTSA recall: 15V415 (2015-06)

Sources: [5]

Driver air bag inflator may rupture (recall) (2014–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
1st gen (2014–2017)
Years:
2014–2017
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled 2014–2017 Acadia models because the driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect, sending metal fragments into the cabin. The 2017 model year here refers to the carryover first-generation Acadia Limited.

Symptoms

  • No symptoms before a crash; the defect is inside the inflator

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 23V334 (2023-05)

Sources: [6]

2nd gen Acadia problems (2017–2023)

Right-front intermediate driveshaft can fracture (recall) (2017–2018)

Safety recall
Generation:
2nd gen (2017–2018)
Years:
2017–2018
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled certain 2017–2018 Acadia models (along with 2018 Equinox and Terrain) because the right-front intermediate driveshaft could fracture and separate while driving, causing a loss of drive power or, if parked without the parking brake, a rollaway.

Symptoms

  • Sudden loss of drive power with the engine still running
  • Clunk or vibration from the front right of the vehicle

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 17V516 (2017-08)

Sources: [7][8]

"Shift to Park" message when already in Park (2017–2019)

Minor
Generation:
2nd gen (2017–2019)
Years:
2017–2019
Powertrain:
All engines

GM bulletin 19-NA-206 covers 2017–2019 Acadia models that show an intermittent "Shift to Park" message after the driver has put the vehicle in Park and switched it off. GM traced it to the Park switch in the shifter not signalling the body control module; the fix is an in-line shifter wire harness jumper. It replaces earlier bulletin 18-NA-297.

Symptoms

  • "Shift to Park" message with the lever already in Park
  • Vehicle will not fully power down or lock
  • Possible drained battery if the vehicle stays awake

Check before buying

  • Park, switch off and watch for the message several times on the test drive
  • Ask whether the shifter jumper harness has been installed

Sources: [9]

3rd gen Acadia problems (2024–present)

Stalling after remote start or during warm-up (2.5L turbo) (2024–2026)

Moderate
Generation:
3rd gen (2024–2026)
Years:
2024–2026
Powertrain:
2.5L turbo I4 (LK0) with 8-speed automatic

Press reports say GM issued a preliminary bulletin (PIP6102) in February 2026 for 2024–2026 Acadia models with the 2.5L turbo, which may stall after a remote start or during warm-up, especially in cold weather, sometimes right after shifting into Drive or Reverse. At publication GM had not released a repair, and the engine restarts normally.

Symptoms

  • Engine stalls shortly after a remote start
  • Stall when selecting Drive or Reverse on a cold morning

Check before buying

  • Do a cold start and shift between Park, Reverse and Drive before driving
  • Ask the dealer whether any software updates have been applied

Sources: [10]

Front seat recliner bracket may have insufficient welds (recall) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2026)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
All engines

GM recalled certain 2026 Acadia models (and the sister Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia) because the driver or front passenger seat may lack sufficient welds where the seat-back recliner pivot attaches to the seat frame, so the seat may not restrain an occupant as designed in a crash.

Symptoms

  • Seatback that feels loose or shifts when leaned on

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask the selling dealer for the recall repair order

NHTSA recall: 26V696 (2026-10)

Sources: [11]

Related Acadia research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm how a Acadia was ordered before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a GMC Acadia VIN into the factory-ordered option codes (RPOs) on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

GMC build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years of GMC Acadia have timing chain problems?

GM bulletins list 2007–2014 Acadia models with the 3.6L V6 (LY7 and LLT) for timing chain and guide wear that sets codes such as P0008 and P0017.

Why does an Acadia lose reverse gear?

On 2007–2009 models the 3-5-reverse clutch wave plate in the 6-speed automatic can crack. GM Special Coverage 14404B covered the repair for 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date.

What is the Acadia liftgate recall?

Recall 15V415 covers 2007–2012 Acadia models with a power liftgate whose gas struts can wear out early, letting an open liftgate fall.

What fixes the "Shift to Park" message on an Acadia?

GM bulletin 19-NA-206 covers 2017–2019 Acadia models and calls for an in-line shifter wire harness jumper so the Park switch signals the body control module correctly.

Does the 2024+ Acadia have known problems?

Press reports describe a February 2026 GM preliminary bulletin (PIP6102) on stalling after remote start or cold warm-up for 2024–2026 2.5L turbo models, and recall 26V696 covers front seat welds on some 2026 models.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. GM Service Bulletin 12-06-01-009A: High Feature V6 timing chain kits and chain guides, DTCs P0008/P0009/P0016–P0019 — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  2. GM Preliminary Information PIP3423K: DTCs P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008, P0009 (V6 engines) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  3. GM Special Coverage 14404B: Transmission clutch wave plate (6T70/6T75) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  4. NHTSA recalls: 2008 GMC Acadia — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recalls: 2007 GMC Acadia — NHTSA
  6. NHTSA recalls: 2014 GMC Acadia — NHTSA
  7. NHTSA recalls: 2017 GMC Acadia — NHTSA
  8. NHTSA recalls: 2018 GMC Acadia — NHTSA
  9. GM Service Bulletin 19-NA-206: Intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle in Park — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  10. GM investigates engine stalling in 2024–2026 Traverse, Acadia and Enclave (PIP6102) — Tarantas News (secondary reference)
  11. NHTSA recalls: 2026 GMC Acadia — NHTSA

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