2016 GMC Acadia Driver assistance Problems

Hello. I got a recall and fixed in July 2021 for Blind Spot Sensors/Modules on my 2016 GMC Acadia SLT. Now 3.5 years later Im having the same issue with these sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car, they get water damage, corrosion, and then fail. A very poor design. And seems like the recall didn't fixed the issue either. This must to be a common issue for this car, lots of complaints online even after the recall. And the car dealership wont cover it because it was already fixed at that time and my warranty on my car expired not to long ago. They said it would be about $2000 to fix. I feel like this prematurely failed and it was recalled once for the same issue but now failed again is crazy after 3.5 years. This shouldn't be a on going thing especially after a recall. I shouldn't have to pay for this outta my own pocket for a flawed design and would like my repairs for this to be covered again. Please help. Attached is a invoice from July of 2021 recall that was repaired. I only got a verbal estimate from the dealership (text messages) which I do have. saying that it would be a $2000 fix this time. I didn't go through with it because I feel like it should be covered. Attached pictures of sensor/module in rear bumper that is corroded. Lights on both side mirrors will come on and stay on. Won't shut off. Messages on dash saying "Service Side Dectection System". Blind zone setting won't shut off.

NHTSA ID

11730950

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

In March of 2022 the vehicle displayed a warning to service the side detection system. on March 31st 2022 the dealership diagnosed that the Side Blind Zone Alert Module failed due to water intrusion. The replacement of the modular was completed free of charge under "Campaign - N172097060 Special Coverage Adjustment". In December of 2024 the same warning to service the side detection system was activated again, several weeks later the warning lights on the side view mirrors lite up and remained on. Upon bringing the vehicle on February 13th 2025 for service, in it was determined to be caused by the same failed part as the first occurrence. This time the repair was not covered by the dealer, and was 1099.22. GMC has not solved the underlining problem with these parts. The side detection system is critical when driving a larger SUV for blind zone awareness to avoid collisions while driving in multi lane traffic. When the system failed, the lights on the side view mirrors made driving difficult due to the distraction and glare. Although this problem is known by the manufacture it has provided a permanent solution, as they continue to use the flawed original parts. Due to the sensor being electrical, there was no symptoms prior to failure; the warning appears and continued at each start up. The cost of repairing safety features on an ageing vehicle becomes a burden, especially when those features can only be repaired by a dealership at high prices. This keeps many people from maintaining or fixing their cars, putting others at risk. I have the modular from the most recent repair, and will include a photo if possible.

NHTSA ID

11647014

Incident

Dec 23, 2024

Transmission- Shift Solenoid EVAP- Purge Valve Forward Collision- goes off when nothing is in front of the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11519766

Incident

Apr 22, 2023

Special Coverage Adjustment N172097060 Side Blind Zone Alert Module Water Intrusion was issued for my vehicle. I took it in to get fixed and was told I was past the 6 year extension (May 2022) but under the milage (79,199). They told me the parts are on back order from GMC. This was on 04-03-2023. On 04-05-2023 I was driving my vehicle and the instrument cluster went partially blank. I lost my speedometer , tachometer and most of the other gauges. I had numerous warning lights on. The blinkers stopped working and I had no control of any environmental controls or radio functions. I pulled off the side of the road and shut the vehicle off. I tried to restart it, it started but even more things began to fail electrically. I shut if off again, tried another restart and now it would not start. I tried multiple times and could not get it to start. With the car off and the key out of the ignition, the heater control panel would stay on and the fan was running. I tried a few more times and finally got it to run but still had no instrumentation. I was less than a mile from home and tried to make it back. While driving I had no electrical control of anything and no way to determine my speed. I made it back, but now my vehicle will not start at all. With the key out it still runs the heater controls and fan. This is a dangerous situation not being able to control your vehicle electrical systems and being able to start your vehicle. This needs to be a recall, NOT a manufacture " Special coverage adjustment" that they know is a known issue and dont even have to parts to fix it.

NHTSA ID

11515743

Incident

Apr 5, 2023

Recently the "Service Side Detection System" light came on. Now the blind side monitoring doesn't work. While driving all of lights on the dash, radio, and headlights turned off. I was unable to see the road, my speed, or anything within the vehicle. I did some research and this is a vary common issue with these vehicles and nothing has been done to correct it.

NHTSA ID

11509773

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

this is a follow up to my last report. My dealer service dept told me my "side detection modules" blew a fuse. When the fuse blew it should have turned them off. It didn't. The modules stayed on 24/7 until all my electrical components went haywire and burned my battery out. After spending $250 on a new battery, I had issues again with the alerts coming on my DIC. After extensive tracing of the electrical issue by my local GMC dealer, he told me the side detection modules staying on 24/7 caused not only my battery to burn out but caused the wires to burn to the rear electrical harness. He stated this is a defect with the modules and this could have caused a fire right under where my three children sit! I now have to wait indefinitely to get the modules that my service dealer ordered because so many people are having this same issue that they are on back order FOREVER! So my service dealer had to turn off the modules after he replaced the fused wires and wire harness and I have to drive with that alert on 24/7. This is a disgrace to GMC that this is a recall for other Acadia years but not my 2016 model! Other GMC Acadia owners need to be alerted to this potential SERIOUS fire hazard!

NHTSA ID

11471601

Incident

May 29, 2022

My care received error code stating service side detection system. Took it to a dealer who, after thoroughly checking my entire electrical system told me the fuse to my side detection modules blew and caused those defective modules to then create a continuous back-feeding of power to the rear wire harness causing a complete depletion of my battery, but also caused the wires to completely melt to the wire harness, which in turn rendered my radio useless and caused several other electrical error codes to come up on my DIC. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE! GM knows this is an ongoing issue because there are ZERO modules to date to replace my defective modules. NONE! From what I read from other blogs, a lot of other GMC owners are having the same issues, YET GMC does not feel this is worth a recall! It could be weeks to months to receive the replacement modules and I tend to feel they will still be sub par. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM VEHICLE AGAIN AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE IF THEY VALUE THEIR FAMILIES LIVES AND THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY!

NHTSA ID

11468681

Incident

Jun 10, 2022

I received an error stating “service side detection system” first. Then I started having issues with every error code coming up, side air bag, the side detection lights staying on at all times while engine is on, and I lost my radio entirely. Without my radio I have back up camera! A dealership told me my wire harness is defective, either a frayed wire, corroded wire, and that it is blowing all my fuses. This is before they have completed my service, at my expense. The electrical system runs my car!! Side detection system issues are a SAFETY ISSUE!! It seems this is not the first GMC has heard of this but their response is nothing! How can this safety issue be allowed to continue with GMC not taking steps to fix it in a recall?

NHTSA ID

11467844

Incident

Jun 6, 2022

I HAVE A 2016 GMC ACADIA DENALI THAT HAS A "SERVICE SIDE DETECTION" ERROR ON THE DIC. CALLED IN THE GMC AND THERE IS A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #N172097060 ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE VALID FOR 6 YEARS / 80,000 MILES. MY ACADIA HAS 41,000 ON IT. WHEN GMC ENTERED MY VIN, IT DOESN'T SHOW UP AS BEING COVERED?? HOW CAN SOME BE COVERED AND SOME NOT IF THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA ID

11405746

Incident

Feb 5, 2021

Mileage

41,000 mi

I HAVE HAD THE "SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM" FAIL TWICE IN 2 YEARS. I SEE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL (N172097060) FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THIS DOES NOT COME UP SAYING MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED WHEN I SEARCH THE VIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS MORE VEHICLES INCLUDED THAN THE 131,652 THEY IS CLAIMED IN THIS REPORT.

NHTSA ID

11399722

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE TRACTION WARNING SUDDENLY COMES ON THEN THE STABILITY SERVICE WARNING JUMPS ON....AUTOMATICALLY LOWERING MY SPEED WHILE I'M ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING. WHEN I PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON...THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR SPEED BUMP

NHTSA ID

11315756

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

Mileage

77,911 mi

THE SCREEN MENTIONS THE STABILITRAK ISN'T WORKING AND THE TRUCK LOOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF. THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY. THE TRUCK LOOSES POWER OUT OF NO WHERE AL SO SAYING THE TRACTION CONTROL ISN'T WORKING. IT HAPPENS ALL AT RANDOM TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11207062

Incident

May 1, 2016

CAR WOULD NOT START NO INTER LIGHTS DEAD TOWED TO DEALER THEY FIXED IT ONCE I HAD BACK FOR ONE DAY IT HAPPENED AGIN NEEDS A SIDE DENTITION MODULE I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 5 WEEKS AND NOTHING NO PARTS

NHTSA ID

11193415

Incident

Feb 19, 2019

Mileage

52,568 mi

MY WIFES VEHICLE WHICH IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL REOCCURRING ISSUES. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AS IT IS STILL ON GOING. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IS EXTREMELY SCARY. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL ALERT THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A COLLISION BUT THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU JUST A VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF YOU AND WILL BREAK ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE ALSO HAD SERVICE STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THESE CAME ON THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE HORRIBLY AND THE RPM'S DROPPED TO UNDER 1000 WHILE STILL GOING 40 MPH. I HAVE ALSO HAD ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE BACKUP CAMERA SAY VEHICLE GUIDING LINES UNAVAILABLE WHILE REVERSING AND WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY THE VEHICLE WITH SAY PARK ASSIST OFF THEN DISAPPEAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. JUST 2 WEEKS AGO I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT SAID SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM AND WOULD NOT START UNTIL I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO RECONNECT THE BATTERY AND RE-START THE VEHICLE. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SHEEHAN GMC IN LIGHTHOUSE POINT FLORIDA 4 TIMES FOR THESE SPECIFIC ISSUES AND RECEIVED NO RESOLUTION. AFTER CONTACTING GMC WE RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE UNTIL I FILED LEMON LAW WHICH THEN THEY SENT AN ENGINEER WHO STATED AFTER A 2 HOUR INSPECTION THERE WAS NO REPLICATION OF PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID

11090311

Incident

Jan 24, 2018

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF AND THE SERVICE STABILA-TRAC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FAULKNER BUICK GMC TREVOSE LOCATED AT 4427 E STREET RD, TREVOSE, PA 19053, PHONE NUMBER: (267) 984-4658, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN O2 SENSOR FAILURE, ALONG WITH AN ECM MALFUNCTION, AND FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,334.

NHTSA ID

11012385

Incident

Jan 13, 2017

Mileage

26,334 mi

THERE IS AN AIR VENT LOCATED NEXT TO ACCELERATOR WITH FINS SLANTED DOWNWARDS. SHOES SUCH AS TENNIS SHOES HANG UP ON THE VENT AS YOU TRY TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. HAVE TO PULL YOUR FOOT OUT OF THE HANG UP WHICH CAUSES DELAYS AND DISTRACTIONS. DEALER SAYS NO KNOWN FIX AND THAT THIS IS NOT IDENTIFIED AS A PROBLEM BY GM.

NHTSA ID

10916617

Incident

Oct 10, 2015

Mileage

100 mi