2018 GMC Acadia Brakes Problems

The vehicle has experienced repeated electrical and engine-related malfunctions, including random engine shutdowns while driving and random no-start conditions. The thermostat and cooling system failed and were replaced in 2024. Multiple sensors have failed. The braking system remains noisy even after brake replacement. The lane detection safety system does not provide audible alerts. The vehicle is currently operational and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle has randomly shut off while driving on both highways and city roads in Azle, Texas. This occurred while my two children were in the vehicle. When the engine shut off, there was a risk of losing power steering and braking assist, which could have caused an accident, especially at highway speeds and in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The thermostat and cooling system failure were confirmed and repaired by a service center in 2024. Electrical and sensor issues have occurred repeatedly but have not been fully diagnosed or resolved. Brake noise persists despite replacement. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? UNKNOWN. The vehicle has been serviced by repair facilities, but the manufacturer has not provided a definitive diagnosis for the engine shutdown and electrical failures. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure? When did they first appear? Yes. Various warning lights and symptoms appeared prior to failures, including cooling system warnings and sensor alerts. Electrical issues and battery failures have occurred repeatedly, with batteries lasting only 2–3 years. Symptoms began after purchase and have continued throughout ownership. Additional details The brakes have been noisy even after replacement, and the lane detection system does not produce audible warni

NHTSA ID

11716369

Incident

Sep 4, 2024

Stabikitrack error causes ABS to trigger while on the highway. Brought in for repair at dealer and needed new wheel sensor and EBCM, significant safety issue!

NHTSA ID

11694660

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

“Shift to park” warning keeps popping up on my dash. I looked into it and there are many people saying this is a known issue!

NHTSA ID

11691366

Incident

Sep 28, 2025

When I put my vehicle in park, the message “shift to park” pops up. It has been doing this for well over a year. I have already had to replace a battery once due to this because I didn’t realize it was still on. It does not happen everytime I park but at random times. The more it happens, the longer it takes for it to go off. At this point, I can only hope my car is really in park. I jiggle the shifter, hit the “ +|- “ on the shifter and have to turn the vehicle off and on about five or six times. Eventually it will go off. It took me 20 minutes today for it to go off in 100 degree heat. The vehicle’s AC is not running when trying to get the shifter to go off. It keeps the electronics running but not the AC. I keep waiting to receive a recall on this vehicle because of this issue but still nothing. I have noticed there is a recall for this but not vehicle. I have already replaced one battery due to this issue and do not want to continue to replace batteries and worry if the vehicle is really in park or not.

NHTSA ID

11677326

Incident

Jul 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia C1. The contact stated that his wife was parking in the driveway and upon shifting into the park gear, the vehicle sensor would not register that it was in park, therefore not allowing the engine to be shut off. The contact stated that his wife proceeded to turn the vehicle on and off while continuously shifting the gears until finally placing the shifter into park, and successfully turning the vehicle's engine off. The contact noted that his wife exited the vehicle; however that moments after a loud bang could be heard, and upon inspection, the contact noticed that the vehicle rolled into the garage with the entire front bumper. No property damage was reported. The vehicle came to a stop upon impact. The vehicle was going 3 MPH at the time of the crash. The vehicle did not need to be towed. No warning lights were illuminated however, the "Shift to Park" message will display on the instrument panel. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed as the contact was advised that the vehicles VIN was not included in any open recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11673986

Incident

Jul 9, 2025

Mileage

90,000 mi

All of this has been going on for a while but it's gotten to the point of dangerous. The Shift to Park keeps coming on preventing me from shutting the vehicle off even though it's, in fact, in Park. Then, "Steering Assist Reduced Drive With Care" keeps coming on. This will come on and off. Preventing the engine from heating up like it needs to be. Then the transmission keeps slipping. Was nearly rear-ended on the highway with my child in the car when it decided to start driving really rough and wouldn't allow me to shift to the next gear. This is also an ongoing issue. Another time I was almost hit in the side when this randomly happened on crossing the highway. This is absolutely absurd! I have had MUCH older vehicles without all these issues with many many more miles! I can't count the amount of times this has caused us serious hazards not to mention almost costing me my JOB! Interestingly enough, the same year/make/model has been recalled for the exact same issues yet for whatever reason GMC says MY model "was not affected by the recall". Funny how it's having the EXACT same issues as the ones on the recall list! GMC needs to fix this before they cause people to die! I'm a healthcare worker and this is disgusting!

NHTSA ID

11661065

Incident

Mar 31, 2024

I have a 2018 GMC Acadia that is now displaying " shift to park " while the vehicle is in park. Upon extensive research I see GMC did issue a recall however, my particular VIN was not included. Its NOW displaying the error message which would lead me to believe it IS part of the recall. I called my local GMC dealership (Langhorne, PA.) and they said this was not covered since my VIN was not issues a recall.

NHTSA ID

11658958

Incident

Feb 10, 2025

It's a problem that occurs when my Acadia fails to recognize that the gear shifter is in the park position. As a result, the car doesn't fully shut down, leaving the engine running. Unable to shut down vehicle if shift doesn't fully activate brake notice, and could be a safety issue if it truly doesn't park. I have not taken the vehicle to a dealer or services to have the problem reproduced yet. It also has not been inspected yet, however, after doing research online, GMC did put a recall notifying owners that this may be a problem in vehicles from years 2017-2021. When I place the shifter into park, the car does not recognize it, and alerts me to put it into parking. It started appearing 2 months ago.

NHTSA ID

11654644

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

While car is in park, I get the "Shift To Park" warning after driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11644415

Incident

Feb 22, 2025

Vehicle does not recognize that it's in park. Once parked a warning comes on telling you to shift to park. The vehicle does not completely shut off because it does not believe that it is in park.

NHTSA ID

11541579

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

Electronic park brake failed to release, flashing park in red on my instrument cluster and after numerous attempts to release it the amber wrench sign also displayed . I could only get it to release after disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it after a few minutes lapsed. It has continued to do this as recent as last week around the 1st of June 2022.

NHTSA ID

11467922

Incident

May 23, 2021

Cars emergency brake locks up for no reason. Happened on several occasions but last instance burned out actuator and locked up calipers from just sitting on a hill with foot on brake. This is a huge safety issue when it locks up for no reason on a road. It’s stranded me at least twice because it’s hard to undue.

NHTSA ID

11450845

Incident

Jan 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the brake pads and all four rotors needed to be replaced. The contact then called Brad Deery Motors (112 N. 2nd St, Maquoketa, IA 52060) and was informed to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The contact was then informed that only one of the rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that upon attempting to park the vehicle, the shift to park warning message would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had to repeatedly shift the vehicle in and out of the park before the vehicle would recognize the shifter in the park position. The manufacturer had been notified of the failures but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ID

11430980

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

Mileage

46,000 mi

I PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SO THE BELL COMES ON. I HAVE TO GO IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ENGAGES. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, I FIRST PLACE IN PARK THEN PUSH THE IGNITION TO SHUT OFF. WE HAD A PRIOR ISSUE WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON, AUTO BACKED IN A DRIVEWAY WITH SLIGHT INCLINE, AND WHEN WE TRIED TO DISENGAGE IT WAS SIMPLY STUCK, WE CALLED TO TOW THE CARE; ONCE DRIVER ARRIVED WE WENT THROUGH THE RELEASE ONE MORE TIME AND IT FINALLY RELEASED. SINCE THAT TIME, I NEVER USE THE PARKING BRAKE. THAT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 9/20/2018..

NHTSA ID

11397733

Incident

Feb 17, 2020

Mileage

59,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT GAVE US TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING DURING A SNOWY DAY. BRAKES TYPICALLY DO NOT WORK, AT TIMES EVEN GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND THANKFULLY NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WHILE UNDER A SNOW STORM. UNFORTUNATELY, WE TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST DELEARSHIP TO GET IT FIXED AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE SNOW, BUT AFTER THE SNOW EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A VEHICLE AND HAVE IT PARKED DURING THE WINTER, THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US. BECAUSE NOR THE DEALERSHIP OR GMC HAS DONE ANYTHING TO HELP. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED SINCE DECEMBER 2018, THE VEHICLE HAS 34500 MILES ON IT AND IS RELATIVELY NEW NOW, BUT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES. IT IS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. IT WOULD BE GOOD IF THEY ACCEPT THESE VEHICLES HAVE ISSUES AND CORRECT THEM PRIOR TO PROMOTING AND SELLING TO CUSTOMERS. SINCE THEY DID NOT CORRECT THESE ISSUES PRIOR TO SOME INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD WORK ON A SOLUTION VIA A RE-CALL TO AVOID ANY INJURIES TO FAMILIES OF THEIR VEHICLE'S OWNERS.

NHTSA ID

11396267

Incident

Jan 30, 2021

Mileage

34,300 mi

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR DOESN'T REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THERE IS AN ALERT THAT COMES UP ON THE DISPLAY SAYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT ISN'T EVERY TIME THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, BUT IT CAN SOMETIMES TAKE UP TO FOUR OR FIVE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO REGISTER THAT IT IS IN PARK. I SHIFT TO PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF, GET THE ALERT. SO I TURN THE CAR BACK ON, SHIFT TO A DIFFERENT GEAR, AND THAN SHIFT PACK TO PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. AND REPEAT THIS UNTIL I STOP GETTING THE ALERT. WHEN IT IS PUT IN PARK, THE CAR WILL SHIFT SLIGHTLY IF I GET THIS ERROR. I'VE STARTED USING MY EMERGENCY BREAK WHENEVER I GET OUT OF THE CAR TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WON'T ROLL.

NHTSA ID

11365717

Incident

Oct 2, 2020

Mileage

48,000 mi

WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AT MY GMC DEALER THEY DISCOVERED THAT A REAR BRAKE PAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE BACK METAL PLATE IT WAS ATTACHED. THEY SAID IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND NOT THE RESULT OF WEAR. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PARTS SO I TOOK IT TO TUFFY MUFFLER WHO FIXED IT. THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11352883

Incident

Aug 27, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE GMC ACADIA'S SHIFT TO PARK FUNCTION. ON A DAILY BASIS WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT IT INTO PARK, TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, THE CAR BEEPS CONTINUOUSLY AND DISPLAYS A MESSAGE THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I TYPICALLY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES OR PUMP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE MESSAGE AND SOUND TO CLEAR. THE CAR HAS EVEN CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD A FEW TIMES AS WELL WHEN SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION OFF.

NHTSA ID

11351858

Incident

Aug 28, 2020

Mileage

41,000 mi

GMC ACADIA WILL NOT REGISTER WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTS THE GEARS INTO PARK. AN ERROR MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK' IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR IS IN PARK. THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE OF THE ERROR MESSAGE. IT TAKES SEVERAL TURNS OF SWITCHING THE CAR ON AND OFF AND FLIPPING THROUGH ALL THE GEARS IN ORDER FOR THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR SO THAT THE CAR TURNS OFF. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 26 FOR REPAIRS AND HAS BEEN SITTING THERE OVER A MONTH BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11241396

Incident

Jun 26, 2019

Mileage

9,500 mi

WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE DASHBOARD SHOWS A WARNING THAT THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I HAVE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH BEFORE THE CAR REGISTERS THAT IT'S IN PARK. HAPPENS ON NEARLY EVERY OCCASION THAT I TURN MY CAR OFF.

NHTSA ID

11206079

Incident

May 6, 2019

Mileage

18,000 mi

IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY 401 NORTH ONTARIO CANADA, THE VEHICLE ERRATICALLY INCREASED SPEED AND BRAKES WERE NOIR EFFECTIVE, LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A MASSIVE ACCIDENT INVOLVING MULTIPLE CARS AND RESULTED IN MULTIPLE INJURIES. *DT

NHTSA ID

11191133

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 GMC ACADIA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FRIEND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH A PARTITION AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CHEST PAIN, ANOTHER OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A CUT ON THE HEAD, AND THE OTHER TWO OCCUPANTS SUFFERED FRACTURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. .*BF .*BF '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

11190983

Incident

Mar 15, 2019