RoadVitals

2017 GMC Acadia Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Dec 30, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 701 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 GMC Acadia submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the "Shift to Park" message was displayed on the instrument panel while attempting to park the vehicle. Additionally, there was a constant beeping alert coming from the vehicle during the failure. The contact later discovered that the rear brake lights and reverse lights were illuminated during the failure. A local dealer was contacted about the failure and made an appointment for a repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11633130
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jan 19, 2023

1. COULD NOT PUT CAR INTO PARK OR TURN OFF. CAUSED BATTERY TO BE DEAD AS IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN PUT INTO PARK. 2. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND JERKED REPEATEDLY. COULD NOT TURN INTO PARKING SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND COULD NOT STOP THE JERK. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY ! 3. AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD. IT IS AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO LIGHTS AT ALL. IT IS DANGEROUS TO NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT BECAUSE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE APPROPRIATE LIGHTING.

NHTSA ID
11502724
Incident
Jan 18, 2023
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jan 10, 2021

HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM MAKING DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT VERY UNSAFE. TOOK VEHICLE TO GMC DEALER, TECH SAID THAT HEAD LIGHTS ARE WITHIN GMC SPECS. TOO INSANE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH CAN OCCUR.

NHTSA ID
11387395
Incident
Jan 9, 2021
Mileage
61,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 19, 2020

WITH MY VEHICLE STATIONARY AND SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION, I TURN MY CAR OFF AND THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK". THIS MESSAGE ALSO DOES NOT ALLOW THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO TURN OFF AND IF THE LIGHTS DON'T TURN OFF THE BATTERY DRAINS IF PARKED FOR LONG STRETCHES. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON/OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ENGAGES AND THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARS.

NHTSA ID
11300291
Incident
Jan 19, 2020
Mileage
7,200 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 29, 2019

EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS ARE INEFFECTIVE AND UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. POOR LIGHTING ON MY VEHICLE HAS CAUSED NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAY WITH DEER AND STALLED VEHICLES ON THE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11291836
Incident
Dec 2, 2019
Mileage
26,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2019

FROM PURCHASE TO DATE, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TERRIBLE IN GOOD WEATHER. IN BAD WEATHER ITS VERY HARD TO DRIVE SAFELY IN THIS VEHICLE. VISIBILITY IS SEVERELY LIMITED FOR THE DRIVER AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11234015
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
100 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 3, 2018

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE FOR NIGHT DRIVING THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT'S A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT GENERAL MOTORS HAS NO FIX FOR IT. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE.

NHTSA ID
11155701
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Mileage
23,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PRODUCE ADEQUATE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KING BUICK GMC (16200 FREDERICK RD, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,600. *TT *JS

NHTSA ID
11082220
Incident
Aug 26, 2017
Mileage
8,600 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 27, 2018

HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS. DEALER CONFIRMS THAT ALL 2017 ACADIA ARE LIKE THIS. THIS IS BY NO MEANS THE FIRST COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
11075205
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2018

AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE VEHICLE AS A WHOLE, IT UNFORTUNATELY HAS THE WORST HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS PERFECT VISION, I OFTEN FIND MYSELF SQUINTING TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME AND VARIOUS SIGNS. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE RESORTED TO DRIVING WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, JUST SO I CAN SEE WHERE I'M GOING IN CITY STREETS, HIGHWAY DRIVING, AND MAKING TURNS. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I HAVE DRIVEN AND THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS THAT MY FATHER HAS NEARLY THE SAME IDENTICAL VEHICLE AS ME AND IS EQUALLY DISSATISFIED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. I WOULD CONSIDER THESE AS DANGEROUS AS ANYTHING TO DRIVER, PEDESTRIAN, AND PROPERTY RELATED SAFETY. I WOULD STRONGLY URGE THAT IF GM DOES NOT STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS OBSTACLE TO MY LIFE, THEN I WOULD STRONGLY URGE AN INVESTIGATION AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE BY THIS ORGANIZATION.

NHTSA ID
11061029
Incident
Jan 5, 2018
Mileage
3,400 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 3, 2018

THE HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAM LIGHT PATTERN IS A VERY DIM AND NARROW FOCUSED BEAM AND DOES NOT ALLOW ENOUGH SIDE TO SIDE ILLUMINATION. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE LIGHTING IS VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT ON WET ROADS WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. THE HIGH BEAMS ALSO CONVERGE TO A SMALL NARROW SPOT ON THE ROADWAY. THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE ROAD LIGHTING IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE PEOPLE OR OBJECTS.ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALSO, THE LOW BEAMS LACK SUFFICIENT.BRIGHTNESS ALTHOUGH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE LIGHT PATTERN IS SUFFICIENT. ALTHOUGH MY COMPLAINT WAS ESCALATED TO A GMC SENIOR ADVISOR, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY GMC. THE ADVISOR STATED, "WORKS AS DESIGNED". NO ALTERNATIVE BULB OR AFTER MARKET LIGHTING WAS RECOMMENDED BY GMC AS I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD VOID THE WARRANTY. THE SAFETY CONCERNS MY FAMILY AND I FEEL ABOUT THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS WERE DISMISSED BY THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ID
11058405
Incident
Oct 14, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 11, 2017

I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ACROSS THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT NIGHT AS I DID NOT SEE HIM DUE TO,THE HEADLIGHTS BEING TOTALLY INADEQUATE TO SEE IN FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS HAVE A BLIND SPOT WHEN ILLUMINATED AS THE DO NOT SHINE HIGH ENOUGH. THERE IS LIKE A SHELF EFFECT THAT WON'T ILLUMINATE ABOVE FOUR FEET OF THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. ALSO THE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ENOUGH ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. IT IS LIKE HAVING NO,LIGHT AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
11045307
Incident
Nov 2, 2017
Mileage
16,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 8, 2017

LOW BEAMS ARE TOO LOW....POOR ILLUMINATION....HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATE THE TOP OF TREES.

NHTSA ID
11044680
Incident
Sep 22, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE UP TO STANDARDS. THE LOCAL DEALER (TODD WENZEL BUICK GMC OF GRAND RAPIDS, 2727 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI, 49512) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,200.

NHTSA ID
11044237
Incident
Oct 9, 2017
Mileage
1,200 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 25, 2017

MY 2017 GMC ACADIA HAS SUCH POOR HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION THAT I CANNOT SEE ADEQUATELY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I CAN BARELY SEE TO GET UP-AND-DOWN THE HILL TO OUR DRIVEWAY. EVEN ON BRIGHT ILLUMINATION, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS. OTHERWISE, THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS. PEOPLE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED AND THERE WILL BE LAWSUITS.

NHTSA ID
11039546
Incident
Oct 25, 2017
Mileage
500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 10, 2017

HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ESPECIALLY WHEN ROADS ARE WET. WHEN THE ROADS ARE DRY THERE STILL ISN'T THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE. DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE MYSELF HARM IF NOT CORRECTED.

NHTSA ID
11032617
Incident
Oct 8, 2017
Mileage
5,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 21, 2017

NIGHT DRIVING, HAS BECOME DANGEROUS. HEADLIGHTS ARE EITHER A POOR TECHNOLOGY OR ARE NOT AIMED PROPERLY. I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT THE MANY OTHERS WILL COME FORWARD TO LET GM KNOW HOW SERIOUS THIS IS. I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER OF MANY DIFFERENT VEHICLES. THIS IS BAD!

NHTSA ID
11024873
Incident
Oct 28, 2016
Mileage
50 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 7, 2017

THE RADIO IS DANGEROUSLY BRIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE BRIGHTNESS IS AFFECTED BY THE BACKUP CAMERA; ONCE THE BACKUP CAMERA IS ACTIVATED THE RADIO BRIGHTNESS IS INCREASED AND WILL NOT DIM UNTIL YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF. THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO SHUT THE DISPLAY OFF WITHOUT NAVIGATING THROUGH THE TOUCHSCREEN MENUS, AND IF YOU ADJUST ANYTHING WITH THE RADIO OR HVAC THE DISPLAY COMES BACK ON AT FULL BRIGHTNESS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, WITH GM ENGINEER VISITING TO SEE THE ISSUE. THERE ARE SOME ACADIAS WITH THE SAME RADIO THAT ISN'T AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY THE ENGINEER THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AND I HAVE TO JUST GET USED TO THE EXTRA BRIGHTNESS. THIS "EXTRA BRIGHTNESS" IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, AS IT IMPAIRS MY VISION. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A $32000 VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11022179
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
1,700 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 13, 2017

2017 GMC ACADIAS EQUIPPED WITH HID HEADLAMPS WITH LOW BEAMS ACTIVATED ARE BLINDING TO ONCOMING DRIVERS.

NHTSA ID
10994640
Incident
Jun 3, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 21, 2017

SLT-2 WITH HALOGEN PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHTS. VERY VERY POOR HIGH & LOW BEAM PERFORMANCE. THE 6YR OLD EQUINOX I TRADED IN DID A BETTER JOB OF LIGHTING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. HAD THE DEALER CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID THEY WERE OK. I HAD THEM ADJUST THE LOW BEAM DOWN TO PROVIDE BETTER ROAD VISIBILITY BUT FORWARD ILLUMINATION DISTANCE IS LESS. THE SALES & SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT I COULD LOOK INTO AFTER MARKET HEADLIGHTS. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE (CASE # 8-2826579557), THEIR DESIGN TEAM REVIEWED MY CONCERN AND THEY HAVE NO PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE THEIR HEADLIGHTS. IF THESE LIGHTS PASS ANY FEDERAL LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS, THE TESTING MUST HAVE BEEN DONE IN A LAB AND NOT OUT IN THE REAL WORLD. GM DID A LOT OF THINGS RIGHT ON THIS NEW DESIGNED ACADIA BUT THE HEADLIGHTS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. NEXT STEP IS TO LOOK FOR AFTER MARKET LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID
10967508
Incident
Dec 2, 2016
Mileage
500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 5, 2017

I HAVE NEW GMC ACADIA SLT 2017 AND HEAD LIGHTS AT NOT VERY BRIGHT AT NIGHT AT ALL, RAINY NIGHT THEY ARE VERY DULL, I WAS BACK TO DEALER 2 TIMES AND CALLED GMC DIRECTLY 2 TIMES TO COMPLAIN AND THEY TOLD ME IS THEY MEET SPECTS,, THEY SID THED WOULD NEED RECALL TO MAKE CORRECTIONS, NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT LIGHTS,, CAR IS GOOD.

NHTSA ID
10958720
Incident
Oct 15, 2016
Mileage
10 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY PROVIDE ILLUMINATION FOR SAFE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

NHTSA ID
10954558
Incident
Jan 26, 2017
Mileage
2,200 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 9, 2017

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE INADEQUATE. VERTICAL AIM IS OK BUT LUMINOUS LUX IS LOW, AND LATERAL COVERAGE DURING LOW SPEED TURNING IS INSUFFICIENT. IF THIS VEHICLE MEETS THE FMVSS STANDARD FOR LIGHTING, CONSIDER RAISING THE MINIMUM STANDARDS. LIGHTING IS A SAFETY ISSUE NHTSA NOW TESTS FOR. UNLESS THE CUSTOMER DOES A TEST DRIVE AT NIGHT (CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE DURING THE SUMMER), THERE IS NO WAY TO LEARN OF A DEFICIENCY BEFORE PURCHASING.

NHTSA ID
10943806
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Mileage
3,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 19, 2016

THE 2017 GMC ACADIA DOES NOT HAVE ANY TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS THAT ARE VISIBLE ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TURN INDICATOR IS EMBEDDED IN THE HEADLIGHT AND IS NOT VISIBLE TO VEHICLES ALONG SIDE OR PERPENDICULAR TO THE ACADIA.

NHTSA ID
10917304
Incident
Oct 18, 2016
Mileage
900 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .