2018 GMC Acadia Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Acadia, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)15136.7%
- Electrical10726.0%
- Engine338.0%
- Driver assistance317.5%
- Steering245.8%
- Brakes225.4%
- Transmission122.9%
- Fuel system92.2%
- Interior & seats51.2%
- Suspension51.2%
- Other / unspecified41.0%
- Seat belts30.7%
- Exterior lighting20.5%
- Visibility10.2%
- Body & structure10.2%
- Airbags10.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Shift to park Malfunction again, 4 th time!! 1000$ to fix is ridiculous
Shift to park error Vehicle won’t shut off
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Hesitants and Shudders when shifting into 2nd gear.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle and attempting to release the key from the ignition switch, the key seized inside the ignition switch. The contact stated that either the “Parking Assist” or the “Steering Assist” warning light was illuminated during the failures, and the A/C system became inoperable. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with Parking Assist and Steering Assist failures. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. The VIN was not available.
My 2018 GMC Acadia is having the shift to park error. Causing it to not park; or error it causing us not to be able to turn vehicle off or know if it's in park. It pops up multiple times.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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!
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I place the gear in park and shut car off, the display states to shift car to park. A loud continuous beep ensues and I would have to start and turn car off several times. The car does not lock nor stop on its own.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while turning off the vehicle, the place shift lever into park message was displayed. The contact had to restart the vehicle several times and move the shifter into the park position for it to disengage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact about the button on the gear shifter that may be used to reset the system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,400.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and made an abnormal sound, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there was black and white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission, cooling system, and fuel system failures. The dealer also determined that the engine was leaking oil. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle required several repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
My car seats (2nd row & 3rd row) seats are rattling really bad when I am on the freeway or highway roads; signs of loose seats. Very concerning to wear it loosens the seat belt strap securing my toddlers car seat. I thought it was the road but unfortunately it’s my seats.
THE SECOND ROW SEATS GET STUCK FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FOLD THEM DOWN. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SHIFT GEAR WHEN TRYING TO PLACE IT IN PARK. WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN PARK AND WE TRY TO TURN IT OFF, THE CAR WILL REFUSE TO SHUT OFF AND WILL DING UNTIL FINALLY THE CAR REGISTERS THAT THE SHIFT GEAR IS IN PARK. I HAVE TO TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES, AND EVEN WIGGLE THE GEAR MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THE SYSTEM FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear right hand lower suspension control arm broke in half, after further inspection it looks to have been separated from its original factory form which then cause uneven load on the arm causing it to fracture in half. The factory form separation seems to have been ongoing for unknown time due to surface rust is visible at the factory mold separation, where it snapped in half there is no surface rust. Fortunately it happened when I was only moving the vehicle to make space for another, the broken arm cause the wheel to turn to the right as if it was making a right hand turn and I can't imagine if it would have happened while driving in the city of even worse on the freeways... It would be a certain crash and safety for us and those driving around us. Last photo is from Amazon listing, I did order the part from another source that is a factory GM part and I am doing the repairs of replacing this myself as I am mechanically inclined. Thanks
On July 26, 2024, I was driving my 2018 Acadia, with my cruise control set to 48 in a 45 MHP zone. Nearing a bad curve, I sneezed. When this happened, I tapped the brakes to disengage the cruise control, my passengers side tires exited the road and with both hands on the wheel I tried to slowly bring my tires back to the road. However, I was unable to gain control and totaled the vehicle. A witness stated that she heard a loud pop coming from the vehicle before the wreck happened. I later learned from my insurance that the vehicle had a Recall 17V516000 on it and I was never made aware of it. I believe that this was a factor in me not being able to control the vehicle.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ACADIA HAS 23,700 MILES ON AND THE TIRES ARE WEARING OUT. NEW TIES SHOULDN'T BE NEEDED UNTIL 60,000 MILES. THIS IS A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN WHAT SHOULD BE OBTAINED BY THESE TIRES.
VEHICLE WHEN PUT IN PARK DOES NOT SHUT OFF. TOOK TO HILLSDALE GMC 1/13/20 AND IT WAS OKAY FOR AWHILE. THIS SAME PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 3 MO AGO AGAIN. PUT IN PARK WILL NOT SHUT OFF. YOU MAY HAVE TO RESTART, PULL INTO GEAR, BACK TO PARK, OVER AND OVER! VERY ANNOYING ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVES SIDE SEATBELT BASE RELEASE LATCH. SEATBELT WILL NO LONGER LATCH. SEAT BELT WAS NOT PULLED, OCCURRED WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEHOLD BUICK GMC (4404 U.S. 9, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728, (732) 410-4117) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER AND A LOANER VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Shift to park Malfunction again, 4 th time!! 1000$ to fix is ridiculous
DRIVING AT NIGHT , IF IT IS RAINING, HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH. SO BAD IT'S LIKE THERE NOT ON. THESE PROJECTION LIGHTS ARE USELESS. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MISSES BECAUSE OR THIS PROBLEM THE OLDER STYLE LIGHTS WERE SO MUCH BETTER, MY TRUCK HAS THE OLDER STYLE H4 BULBS AND THEY ARE SO MUCH BRIGHTER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING STRAIGHT ON FREEWAY WHEN REAR PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH THE SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE GLASS IS SHATTERED OUTWARD STILL WITH PHOTOS TO SHOW THE OUTWARD EXPLOSION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SUNROOF EXPLODED ON JULY 25, 2018. DRIVING DOWN ROAD HEARD LOUD GUN SHOT LIKE SOUND AND THE GLASS STARTED POURING IN. MOST THE GLASS WENT TO THE BACK SEAT WHERE MY 4 AND 5 YEAR OLD WERE IN THEIR CAR SEATS. WE WERE HEADED ON VACATION FORM ARKANSAS TO THE BEACH IN ALABAMA. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE NO CARS IN SIGHT. WEATHER WAS CLEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was driving down a dirt road and suddenly the airbags deployed for no reason. Ruined the car.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .