2013 GMC Acadia Engine Problems

I bought a 2013 gmc Acadia with a 3.6l engine and I was driving it home, and the engine locked up on me, and it didn’t throw a code or anything, it just shut off and wouldn’t start back up, and later I find out that it had an oil leak from somewhere and now I have to have the engine replaced, which is 13k dollars, the vehicle is located at walker Chevrolet in nitro wv, I’m a single dad of 5 children and I can’t afford to fix this vehicle at that price, I asked if they could take payments to replace it, and they said not and that they would NOT Release the vehicle back to me until it is paid for, and now I’m stranded with 5 children with no way to go to the store or anything. The engine locked up on me in the middle of the four lane in st albans wv, and I almost got hit by vehicles that were behind me and everything.

NHTSA ID

11672571

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle was intermittently difficult to start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the alternator, stabilizer, starter, ignition switch, door panel, axle, MAP sensor, canister valve, gas cap, and power master window switch were replaced. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to the fuse box. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the electrical system. The contact used a diagnostic scanner to scan the vehicle but was unable to retrieve any diagnostic trouble codes. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11649804

Incident

Mar 21, 2020

Mileage

92,000 mi

My 2013 GMC ACADIA started fire on April 9, 2024 around 11PM in the driveway of our home. The vehicle was parked and off. The vehicle wasn’t used during the day. The last day of use was on April 8, 2024 around 6PM. The fire department stated it was potentially an electrical fire within the engine of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11582226

Incident

Apr 9, 2024

At 35-40 and 55-65 mph, the car slips/ pulls back. I took it to the dealer, my rep said it is a known issue and GMC issued a bulletin but will not recall it because it's too expensive. There are thousands of reports online. Please investigate.

NHTSA ID

11559683

Incident

Nov 26, 2023

Battery saver mode activated dinged then car talked to me. I've replaced the alternator and brand new battery.....car battery draining FAST n only pulling 11.03 volts when it's supposed hit 14.5-15.5volts. Also air bag lite is on saying service airbag. I've only had the car 3 months....bought it from a dealer march 13th n till 2-3 days ago been working fine. Now saying service air bag n battery saver mode activated. I have no clue to this .....I'm lost after replacing the battery n alternator.

NHTSA ID

11526464

Incident

Jun 11, 2023

Unknown. Engine blew. Was determined by independent service provider. Vehicle wouldn’t start and blew white smoke from the exhaust.

NHTSA ID

11519598

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

I dont know exactly what is wrong but from online videos i think power train or transmission. When driving the vehicle will struggle/delay shifting. When it does finally shift its so hard it throws u forward. When having to quickly get on the gas it will delay to where your not really moving. This almost caused accidents multiple times. ( not pulling out in front of people) entering interstate is a good exsample. It has also lost power when crossing intersection!

NHTSA ID

11517617

Incident

Apr 18, 2023

After having for just under a year the transmission seems to be acting up when going from 2nd to 3rd gear around 30mph to 40mph. After reading several forms it seems this is a common occurrence in these vehicles.. not sure if it’s been reported but all the forms are showing people had to spend a good amount to determine what the issue is and seems that everyone had to replace the transmissions for the problem to go away. I’m not sure how everything works but feel it should be looked at maybe.

NHTSA ID

11454610

Incident

Feb 23, 2022

WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE GOES COMPLETELY DEAD. I WILL HAVE TO RESTART AT EACH STOP. WHEN IT DOES START, IT IS NOT A SMOOTH TAKE OFF, IT IS EXTREMELY ROUGH, ALMOST LIKE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN THE WRONG GEAR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. AND IT IS GETTING WORST EVERY DAY. I HAVE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR US. I STILL HAVE A YEAR TO PAY FOR IT AND I AM HEARING MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO TOUCH IT, BECAUSE THEY ARE UNSURE WHAT IS WRONG, OR IF THEY CAN REPAIR IT. FRANKLY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS MANY CARS. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL NEAR-MISSES WITH ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11415192

Incident

May 15, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE ODOR OF SMOKE AND FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. LATER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE HAD STARTED FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER STEP ON GMC (5651 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY WHO WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.*JB

NHTSA ID

11350108

Incident

Jul 16, 2020

Mileage

115,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ARCADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE STABILITRAK DISABLE AND TRACTION CONTROL DISABLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TEAM ONE CHEVROLET BUICK (1616 LANSING RD, CHARLOTTE, MI 48813, (517) 543-0200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN ENGINE WAS ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER:[XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,393. CONSUMER STATED ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ('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

11268736

Incident

Oct 13, 2019

Mileage

85,393 mi

I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS IN A VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. THE HEADLIGHTS IN THIS VEHICLE WERE GOOD ABOUT 2 YEARS. BUT, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS EVERY YEAR. AND, I HAVE TO HAVE THE A/C SYSTEM WORKED ON EVERY YEAR AS WELL BEGINNING 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IS THE WORST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING SOMETHING BREAK. HEADLIGHTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, MOTOR MOUNT, MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH A/C, TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID

11206895

Incident

Jun 18, 2013

PISTON CONNECTOR ROD PUT A WHOLE IN THE ENGINE AT ONLY 62700 (2700 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE THAT WAS ALWAYS CHANGED AFTER OIL CHANGE LIGHT CAME ON AROUND EVERY 4500 TO 5000 MILES)MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY STOP RESPONDING AND WOULD NOT START IN AN AREA THAT ONLY HAD HALF OF EMERGENCY LANE(SO THE CAR WAS TAKING PART OF TRAVEL LANES) .THIS WAS DECEMBER 27,2018 AT 11:30 PM WITH ME, MY WIFE, OUR 2 KIDS, OUR NEPHEW AND THEIR FRIEND (8, 12,13 AND 14 YEARS OLD) WE WERE COMING BACK FROM A SKI TRIP 1 AND HALF HOUR FROM HOME, IT HAPPENED ABOUT 40 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME .WE COULD NOT COME OUT THE CAR, IT WAS NOT SAFE PLACE OUT OF THE CAR. STATE POLICE DROVE BY AND DID NOT STOP, I CALLED THEN TO SEND SOMEONE UNTIL TOW TRUCK COME.TOW TRUCK CAME FIRST AFTER AROUND 45 MINUTES.CAR COMPUTER CLUSTER START TO SHOW BATTERY WAS DYING, IT WAS PIT BLACK WITH 18 WHEELER AND CARS FLYING BY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - DRIVERS WITH FAMILIES SHOULD BE MADE AWARE.I WENT TO THE LOCAL GMC DEALER TO ASK WHY IT HAPPENED SINCE CAR HAS 62700 MILES AND THEY ASK ME IF MY WIFE DOES OFF ROAD I SAID NO.BUT I ASKED MY WIFE TO MAKE SURE SHE SAID NO.BUT TO MAKE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE SURE I ASKED MY 8 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER AND MY 12 YEARS OLD IF THEIR MOTHER DRIVES ON MUD, WATER,BUMP HILLS, WET LAND, SHAKING PLACES AND POT HOLES. THEY SAID NO BUT THAT WOULD BE FUN (LOL). THANK YOU GMC FOR A NICE HOLIDAY GIFT.

NHTSA ID

11166589

Incident

Dec 27, 2018

Mileage

62,700 mi

THESE SYMPTOMS STARTED OVER 2 YEARS AGO AND IS VERY INTERMITTENT. DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF HIGH GEAR. THE DECREASE IN SPEED IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT ON NOW 3 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS ALMOST NEARLY BEEN REAR-ENDED. ADDITIONALLY, ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE FOLLOWING INDICATORS AND MESSAGES OCCUR: - "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" - "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" - "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" - "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" - "SERVICE STABILITRAK" ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS: - LOSS OF POWER STEERING - LOSS OF POWER BRAKES ONCE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND SITS FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WILL START AND ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS ABOVE WILL GO AWAY WITH THE EXCEPTION SOMETIMES OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS INDICATOR GOES OFF AFTER VEHICLE HAS SAT OVERNIGHT. NOTE THIS OCCURS VERY INFREQUENTLY...SOMETIMES MONTHS IN BETWEEN. AUGUST 2018, DEALERSHIP (CHEV AUTOMATION NORTH, DENVER, CO) DIAGNOSED AS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. PAID $5800 FOR REPLACEMENT. OCTOBER 22, 2018, ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE ON HIGHWAY NEARLY CRASHING THE VEHICLE. WIFE NOW REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT MUST OCCUR BEFORE ANY REAL ATTENTION IS MADE TO FIXING A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE WITH GM VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11142454

Incident

Oct 22, 2018

Mileage

103,000 mi

PISTON PUT A WHOLE IN THE ENGINE AT ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - DRIVERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE.

NHTSA ID

11129912

Incident

Sep 7, 2018

Mileage

40,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11124260

Incident

Aug 27, 2018

Mileage

95,000 mi

THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FAILED TO PROPERLY REPAIR MY VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY SOLD MY VEHICLE TO ME WITH PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF FAULTY "BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM". I WAS TOLD I JUST NEEDED A NEW BATTERY (WHICH WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE SAME WEEK). THIS PROCESS BEGAN ON 11/12/2016. I RECEIVED THE SAME ERROR ON MY DASH (BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICING) AND MY BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED JUST LIKE BEFORE ON 4/12/2017. I CONTACTED ONSTAR AND MADE AN APPT.WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MCCARTHY MORSE CHEVROLET FOR THE NEXT MORNING (4/13/2017). HOWEVER I DIDN'T MAKE IT BECAUSE MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES IN MY GARAGE ABOUT 15MINS. AFTER ME AND MY CHILDREN GOT OUT OF IT!!!! OTHER ISSUES THAT WERE ADDRESSED DURING THIS 6MO. TIME FRAME INCLUDED: A/C REPLACEMENT, HEAD GASKETS AND HEAD BOLTS REPLACEMENT, TIMING CHAIN AND CAM SHAFT ACTUATORS REPLACEMENT, AND FLYWHEEL REPLACEMENT. I FEEL LIKE THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THESE ISSUES AND DIDN'T CORRECT THEM BEFORE EITHER.

NHTSA ID

11003735

Incident

Apr 12, 2017

Mileage

101,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL, AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (JACK MAXTON CHEVROLET EAST DUBLIN ROAD COLUMBUS, OHIO, 43229, 614-681-0129) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE COMPOSITION SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND RECURRED AFTER THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND A FAILURE CODE WAS PRODUCED AT THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10995328

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT LOST POWER, ALL THE DASH LIGHT WENT OFF, THEN THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN, WHILE DRIVING 45 MILES AN HR. ONCE ABLE TO PULL OVER, THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND COULD NOT START BACK UP. THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM. THEY REPORTED IT WAS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WHICH THEY REPLACED BUT THE CAR STILL WILL NOT TURN ON. NOW THE SAY IT IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CAN'T FIND IT.. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WE FEEL THAT THEY ARE JUST GIVING US THE RUN AROUND. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES AND NEVER FIXED PROPERLY

NHTSA ID

10994131

Incident

Jun 2, 2017

Mileage

50,720 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS WHILE DRIVING, THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. ALSO MY POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED REPEATEDLY BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT PRESSING ANY BUTTON IN VEHICLE OR KEY FOB. THE LOCKS WILL GO UP AND DOWN UNTIL I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART. THE LOCKS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. ALSO, MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR(RACK) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 30000 MILES. THERE WERE 2 RECALLS ONE FOR AIRBAGS AND ONE FOR SEATBELTS. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND FRANKLY DANGEROUS, THANK GOD IT NEVER SHUT OFF ON A HIGHWAY. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO TWO DIFFERENT GMC DEALER SERVICE CENTERS AND THEY CAN NOT DIAGNOSE OR RECREATE THE PROBLEM WHICH MEANS THEY CANNOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS ISOLATED TO JUST MY VEHICLE OR THIS IS A PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR CAR. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10673035

Incident

Mar 13, 2013

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE FRONT TIRES SPUN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE MOVING. THE ENGINE STABILITY AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.

NHTSA ID

10663966

Incident

Sep 18, 2013

Mileage

1,800 mi