RoadVitals

2018 GMC Acadia Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
395
+5 complaints in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
56
Reports on file since Apr 19, 2018

What this page shows

Our database holds 395 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 GMC Acadia. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 395 · page 1 of 16

Fuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the temperature gauge remained at zero. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed high-pressure fuel pump. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,300.

NHTSA ID
11766205
Incident
Sep 20, 2026
Mileage
112,300 mi
Filed Sep 20, 2026

Urgent code going off due to thermostat not being red gauge is stuck

NHTSA ID
11765708
Incident
Sep 12, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2026

The car will frequently but not always fail to shut off when the start/stop button is pushed while in Park. The message "shift to park" come up on the display and a yellow light comes on in the button. I have to restart the engine and it often takes as many as 10 attempts to finally shut off the engine. Between each attempt I have to shift the transmission out of park and back into park. This has been happening for more than a month.

NHTSA ID
11763610
Incident
Sep 10, 2026
Filed Aug 31, 2026

I’m getting a shift to park on my dash after it’s already in park. This causes the break to get stuck when driving.

NHTSA ID
11760899
Incident
Aug 29, 2026
Seat belts
Filed Aug 31, 2026

I am unknown of what the issue is with the seatbelts on all seats will not properly lock.

NHTSA ID
11760896
Incident
Aug 1, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The gear shifter was moved back and forth, then shifted into park (P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the gear shifter was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the gear shifter, switch, and harness were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ID
11755898
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Mileage
10,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after parking and then attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message " Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be parked and turned off successfully after various attempts, which included restarting the vehicle and engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11751749
Incident
Jan 1, 2026
Mileage
80,000 mi
Filed Jul 12, 2026

When trying to put car in park a "shift to park" notice appears on dashboard not allowing the car to be turned off. It takes multiple attemps be able to get the car into park and turn OFF. This has been an ongoing problem for several years and reported to the dealer. To date the dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with the car. Battery has been changed multiple times.

NHTSA ID
11749867
Incident
Dec 26, 2025
Filed Jul 9, 2026

While driving the temperature gauge drops from normal to cold , the dash displays " steering assist reduced" and the fan is very loud . My mechanic said the thermostat and or sensor needs to be replaced . When he resets with the reader its good for about a week and temperature gauge is normal. After seven days it repeats I only have 40,000 miles on the vehicle and its a 1,400 dollar job. I believe this should be a recall because i have seen a lot of the same complaints in this forum and what about the people who have the same problem but don't complain ?

NHTSA ID
11749432
Incident
May 5, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 7, 2026

When I’m driving on the highway, I get a message on my dashboard saying steering assist reduced, drive with care. I have taken to the GMC dealership and they will not cover this repair even though it would be covered for 2021 GMC. When this happens, my car makes a loud noise and my steering wheel does not feel right. I do not feel safe.

NHTSA ID
11748910
Incident
May 4, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 3, 2026

Gear shifter is not registering that the vehicle is in park. Because of this issue I have to sit in the vehicle for up to 15 mins trying to get it to register that it is in fact in park and can turn off. If I didn't take the time to do this, it would kill my battery. Unfortunately with the heat index, the vehicle gets hot very quickly and im now worried about getting hot stroke trying to get it to register it is park. This is a known issue with the vehicle that has an active recall for other vin numbers with the same issue.

NHTSA ID
11748238
Incident
Oct 17, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2026

Hesitants and Shudders when shifting into 2nd gear.

NHTSA ID
11748054
Incident
Jun 1, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2026

this is the second time I am having to replace gear shift with under 160000 miles. Turn the car off and it tells me the car is not in park when it is. It can not tell what gear it is in or when. AGAIN. This is the second repair

NHTSA ID
11743789
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 8, 2026

Shift to park Malfunction again, 4 th time!! 1000$ to fix is ridiculous

NHTSA ID
11742706
Incident
May 28, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the steering assist reduced warning light illuminated. The contact's husband attached a portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle, and P0128 was the failure code. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID
11741369
Incident
Apr 15, 2026
Mileage
78,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 21, 2026

Shift to park error Vehicle won’t shut off

NHTSA ID
11739392
Incident
Apr 17, 2026
Filed May 21, 2026

When I put the shifter to park, it still dings and tells me "shift to park" and I struggle to make it go away and to be able to make it stop and be able to lock the car. It happens every time I drive it. Thank you

NHTSA ID
11739333
Incident
Jan 5, 2026
EngineSteering
Filed May 20, 2026

I am getting the known P0128 code. My engine says it's cold when it's not, my AC isn't working, and I am getting a message that says "Steer assist reduced. Drive with care". This is a known problem and complaint of the GMC Acadia.

NHTSA ID
11738997
Incident
Mar 21, 2026
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 19, 2026

the transmission kept slipping. the car continued to lose power until it just wouldn't go anymore. The mechanic said it is definitely the transmission and drive shaft but my particular VIN is not included. I am looking at $7,000 in repairs on a car I owe $13,000.00

NHTSA ID
11738766
Incident
May 18, 2026
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2026

For the last 6 months, I keep getting a "shift to Park" message on my dashboard indicating that my vehicle is not in park (in which it is). The problem is getting wors, so I called GMC on 5/14/26 to inquire and was informed that my VIN number WAS not include in the resent class action lawsuit for this issue. I then found out by searching myself on line for other complaints that GMC is very aware of this situation and yet refuses to fix the issue free of charge to customers. According to TSB 19-NA-206, t does list my year , make and model of vehicle affected by this faulty part. On 5.15.26, I called the dealership to inquire and was informed that my VIN was not covered under warranty (which I had already known), and that that service I would have to pay lots of money out of pocket for it. The service tech did look in the system and claims (without me even knowing that they had did that repair already....He lied I'm for sure). I informed him well if they did repair that part, and I'm still getting an error message about the same thing, clearly its faulty and the dealership should be responsible for fixing it. This was not the case as I was informed it would have to be out of my pocket. This mess is unfair! GMC is well aware of this faulty pat on vehicles, and to refuse to fix it free of charge is just down right hurtful! GMS is responsible for repairing this part on everyone's vehicle as it is a hazard to everyone and the community to have a vehicle unstable to be able to slide away from a parked position. This is such a road hazard, something has to be done about it. It's not far that I am expected to pay for these faulty wiring costs out my pocket when its a faulty issue GMC is very well aware of.

NHTSA ID
11738057
Incident
Jan 2, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 2, 2026

I have a 2018 GMC Acadia SLT with the thermometer and temperature sensor that throws the steering assist error message, engine fan turns on and AC shuts off.

NHTSA ID
11735300
Incident
May 1, 2025
Filed Apr 29, 2026

When I put the car in park and shut off the vehicle, I am getting a shift to park message with an audible sound. The car is in park already. Happens every time almost. It’s not showing up as a recall under my vin. Just got the car. I have seen more recall issues on Google and am concerned those will also occur which are more serious and aren’t listed either.

NHTSA ID
11734468
Incident
Apr 23, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the “Shift-to-Park” warning light illuminated with a continuous audible alert. The vehicle was unable to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). Several attempts were needed to shift to park. The battery was disconnected to turn off the audible alert. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an associated recall. During the recall repair, the shifter and wiring harness were replaced with Part Numbers: GM84955381 and GM84733196. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11734045
Incident
Nov 19, 2025
Filed Apr 22, 2026

2018 Acadia Denali with less than 50,000 miles on the vehicle. Had to replace the coolant temperature sensor and thermostat. Less than 30 days later. The check engine light came on and the code was coolant temperature sensor and thermostat. Code P0128$07E8

NHTSA ID
11733007
Incident
Dec 10, 2025
Filed Apr 21, 2026

thermostat and temp sensor issue

NHTSA ID
11732763
Incident
Oct 10, 2024

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.

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