2010 GMC Acadia Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact became aware of white smoke coming from the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact and minor children exited the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, there was fire coming from underneath the hood. The Fire truck arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle had liability coverage, and the insurance company declined to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure had occurred while the contact's minor children were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. The contact and the children sustained smoke-related injuries. The contact and the children later received medical treatment for the smoke-related injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer declined to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

NHTSA ID

11744975

Incident

Jun 3, 2026

Mileage

163,000 mi

The contact owned a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, white and black smoke had leaked into the interior cabin through the air vents. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had caught on fire under the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road when the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The local fire department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The source of the fire was unidentified. A police report was filed. The contact sought medical attention for smoke inhalation. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot via the insurance provider. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was previously repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11685628

Incident

Jan 5, 2025

Shift to park issue known recall issue in other GMC Acadias ... Vehicle will not lock into park and can NOT remove key anymore electrical still runs in vehicle causing the battery to drain ... Now have to force vehicle to shift into Park as best as possible but still does not fully lock into Park gear anymore ... I was shifting into Park.

NHTSA ID

11678396

Incident

Aug 3, 2025

Check Engine Light. Faulty timing chain. Rack and pinion repairs needed. Examined by two automotive locations: LaFontaine Automotive GMC of Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Mazur's Total Automotive in Pinckney, MI

NHTSA ID

11493190

Incident

Sep 30, 2022

Timing chain and gears

NHTSA ID

11487993

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

The car completely stopped while driving. Upon towing it to the shop, they stated the timing chain cause the engine to not work. This is a safety hazard due to anyone could of gotten hurt or this could have cause an accident due to I was not able to steer or do anything.

NHTSA ID

11456086

Incident

Mar 10, 2022

Timing chain was replaced on 11/26/2019 and failed again on 02/09/2022. Needs to be a manufacturer defect that gets fixed for free. So dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11452008

Incident

Feb 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the failure was due to the timing chain and rod bearings. The failure mileage was approximately 133,208.

NHTSA ID

11440897

Incident

Nov 17, 2021

Mileage

133,208 mi

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to idle rapidly and smoke was exiting the hood. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for approximately an hour before driving to her residence. The contact never saw a fire while examining the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced along with an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11427724

Incident

Jul 14, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

IN 2013 GMC SENT A LETTER THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP SHAFT SEAL AND RESULTS IN WATER PUMP FAILURE. THEY SAID DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE IN UNLESS YOU THINK YOU HAVE A LEAK. THEY ALSO SAID IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN 10 YRS OF THE DATE YOUR VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE OR 120,000 MILES THEY WILL COVER REPAIRS. HOWEVER, AT THE END IT SAYS ALL WORK HAS TO BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 31, 2014. BY JULY 2019 BEFORE THE 10 YRS AND THE 120,000 MY VEHICLE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COOLANT LEAKING ON THE TRANSFER CASE/AXEL FROM THE WATER PUMP CAUSED IT TO FAIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HONOR REIMBURSEMENT AND MADE THE TERMS OF THEIR WARNING CONFUSING AND DIFFICULT TO PARTICIPATE IN. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BLACK SMOKE SPILLED OUT FROM THE HOOD.

NHTSA ID

11397740

Incident

Jul 25, 2019

Mileage

106,877 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 25 ,2020 AND ON AUGUST 19,2020 IT BROKE DOWN ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHILE I WAS TRANSFERRING FROM ONE HOSPITAL TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL WITH ME I'LL 3 YEAR OLD .I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STARTER IT STILL WOULD NOT CRANK I SENT IT TO BUICK GMC IN MORROW AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I PAID MY CAR NOTE UP UNTIL FEBRUARY 5,2021 AND I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR.

NHTSA ID

11384452

Incident

Aug 19, 2020

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE I NEED AN INSPECTION STICKER. FOUND OUT TODAY AFTER I TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER THAT I NOW NEED TO REPLACE MY TIMING CHAIN. I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR A YEAR AND A HALF. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT DOUBT ITS COVERED. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL, IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR MORE THAN JUST ME.

NHTSA ID

11321899

Incident

Apr 22, 2020

Mileage

119,900 mi

CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER PUTTING GAS IN IT. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND HE SAID THE ENGINE WENT OUT OF TIMING CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE OUT OF TIME, COMBUST, AND DESTROY THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

11319158

Incident

Mar 20, 2020

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO CHECK THE CODES AND MECHANIC SAYS THAT MY TIMING CHAIN IN STRETCHED. THERE IS ONLY 114,XXX MILES ON IT. IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT TO GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11311758

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER:[XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000. *MP ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID

11287120

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

168,000 mi

TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. FAILED TENSIONER. 114,00 MILES

NHTSA ID

11258413

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

Mileage

114,000 mi

THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH A MISS IN THE ENGINE AND TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE TIMING BELT AND BEING OUT OF TIME, SAID IT WOULD BE $5000. SO WE WANTED A SECOND OPINION AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHICH IS A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE SAME THING BUT HE SAID HE COULD JUST REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND GET IT GOING AND HE REPLACED IT BUT ITS STILL OUT OF TIME AND IT COST $3250. THE GM DEALERSHIP KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM AND THAT THE 2009 MODEL WAS COVERED UNDER THE ENGINE RECALL BUT NOT 2010 OR NEWER EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. HAD TO END UP BUYING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND STILL HAVE THE OTHER ONE PARKED IN THE SHED AND CANT DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ID

11256838

Incident

May 9, 2019

Mileage

164,000 mi

I OWN A 2010 GMC ACADIA. THE CODE THAT WAS BEING THROWN WAS P0008. I HAD TO HAVE THE CHAINS AND ACTUATORS REPLACED IN THE ENGINE. AFTER PAYING FOR THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN, SO THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE SHOP AGAIN. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR 2007-2012 HOWEVER, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 2007-2009. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT GMC NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE LEMON LAW MAY APPLY AS I AM SEEING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MAYBE WE SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO GET GMC TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11210213

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR WITH A 5 YEAR, $20,000 LOAN ATTACHED TO IT. THE CAR RANDOMLY STARTED SMOKING AND ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF ON THE WAY BACK FROM THE STORE (ABOUT A MILE AWAY). I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND WALKED HOME, WENT BACK AFTER A COUPLE HOURS TO LET IT COOL DOWN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DEEMED MY CAR WITH AROUND 80,000 MILES ON IT HAD A BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO SOMETHING WITH BELT (SAME ISSUE 2009 MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR) AND IT WAS GOING TO COST OUT OF MY OWN POCKET $7500 TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ENGINE WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WON'T HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN THE 3 WEEKS IT TOOK US TO DECIDE ON IF IT WAS EVEN POSSIBLY TO COME UP WITH THAT MUCH MONEY, ENGINE PRICES HAD ROSE ANOTHER $500 BECAUSE THEY ARE IN SUCH HOT DEMAND. ENDED UP HAVING TO LET THE BANK REPO IT, RUINING MY CREDIT, NO VEHICLE TO TAKE MY NEWBORN TWINS TO THEIR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, OR ANYWAY TO GET TO WORK. GMC NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT PROMPTLY RESPONDING TO THIS DEFECT INSTEAD OF TURNING A BLIND EYE. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS FILED.

NHTSA ID

11190408

Incident

Jan 3, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NYE BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 1421 GENESEE ST, ONEIDA, NY 13421, (315) 363-2200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TIMING CHAINS WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID

11186799

Incident

Sep 20, 2018

Mileage

98,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. LATER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINED DIED - THERE WAS NEVER EVER WARNING LIGHTS OR WARNING THAT THERE WAS TROUBLE WITH THE CAR. IT IS A 3.6L SIDI VG ENGINE. IT WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE AS WE HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR BEFORE IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THE COST WAS WAY TOO HIGH TOO FIX SO WE ENDED UP GIVING IT TO A SALVAGE PLACE AND BOUGHT A 2009 GMC ACADIA. NOT EVEN A YEAR INTO THAT CAR AND IT ALSO NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. SAME ENGINE, A 3.6L SIDI V6 ENGINE. OUR AUTO PLACE SAID THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING THAT ENGINE BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE NEED THAT ENGINE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CAN NOT BE A COINCIDENCE. I HAVE CONTACTED GMC AND THEY DON'T CARE.

NHTSA ID

11184600

Incident

Feb 22, 2018

Mileage

190,255 mi

MY ACADIA IS THROWING P0008 CODE. IT BEGAN HAVING POWER ISSUES NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND PULLING UP THE SMALLEST HILLS. ALL OF THIS STARTED GOING 70MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. NOT A GOOD SPOT OR TIME TO DECELERATE. ALSO STARTED HAVING A VERY ROUGH IDLE. IT IS AT A GMC DEALER NOW AND AM BEING TOLD TIMING CHAIN WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SHOULD REPORT IT SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2009 AND THOSE WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY }:(

NHTSA ID

11183155

Incident

Feb 25, 2019

Mileage

178,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11182638

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDRICK BUICK GMC CARY (115 TEAM HENDRICK WAY, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 234-7784) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,366.

NHTSA ID

11182279

Incident

Feb 24, 2019

Mileage

53,366 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE IS SHOWING A P0008 CODE WITH 92,000 MILES THIS IS A CRANKSHAFT MISALIGNMENT THAT I WAS TOLD MEANS THE TIMING CHAIN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AMONGST GMC ACADIA OWNERS.

NHTSA ID

11174873

Incident

Nov 14, 2018