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2025 GMC Acadia Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
39
Latest Sep 21, 2026
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.
60%
of 65 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.
1
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 service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2025 GMC Acadia submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 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 brake

The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 2026

While driving my 2025 GMC Acadia, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe failure of the brake master cylinder assembly, causing a significant loss of hydraulic pressure and braking assistance. Multiple dashboard warnings illuminated simultaneously, including ABS and brake system alerts. The brake pedal feel altered abruptly, drastically increasing the required stopping distance and creating an immediate collision hazard. The vehicle is currently grounded at a certified GM dealership awaiting a total replacement of the defective master cylinder assembly under factory warranty. Mileage at the time of failure was 19,000.

NHTSA ID
11765882
Incident
Sep 12, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 3, 2026

Dropping my children off at school, 4 lights came on on the dash. Two messages came across my dash as well. Service esc service abs. EBCM master cylinder needed to be replaced at local GMC dealership.My brakes were failing…This is a known safety issue by GMC and there’s no recall!

NHTSA ID
11761817
Incident
Aug 31, 2026
Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2026

I was driving my 2025 GMC Acadia Denali on [XXX] with cruise on. Suddenly sound and banner notifications were telling me that I had no brakes. I immediately hit brake to break cruise and vehicle went faster. I managed to get cruise off from steering wheel. Put flashers on and took foot completely off gas. I was very fortunate that I didn’t hit someone or that no one hit me. After about 2 miles, I was able to pull in an empty church parking lot and get stopped. After getting stopped I was 2.4 miles from [XXX]. I was towed to GMC dealership in Montgomery, AL and diagnosed with defective master cylinder and no brakes. Very concerned because GMC has not issued a recall because the master cylinder failure has occurred many times before. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11758810
Incident
Aug 19, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 11, 2026

Today, June 11, 2026, my wife and 9 month old baby were on their way home from running errands in town when the vehicle started to violently shake, becoming frightened my wife tried to apply pressure to the brakes. When she pushed down on the brake pedal nothing happened and the pedal hit the floor. Our brand new 2025 GMC Acadia AT4 had just suffered catastrophic brake failure. So she pulled off onto the side of the road in hopes the uneven terrain would slow her down just enough to put it into park. Luckily enough it did. If it would have been 10 seconds later she would have been on a one way bridge where the speed limit is 60mph with no brakes. Four days prior to today on June 07, 2026 I sent a message to the individual that I bought the car from at the GMC dealership and told him that we had warning lights come up on the dash. He had me try and reset the screen but nothing happened. I asked when we could get it into a shop so it could be looked at he said that he would have someone reach out and schedule a time. I proceeded to ask if we were ok to drive the vehicle until then.To which he responded "If the vehicle isn't giving you issues mechanically, you should be good". Fast forward to today June 11, 2026 my wife is driving and has catastrophic brake failure. The vehicle was then towed by roadside assistance to the GMC dealership.

NHTSA ID
11743627
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 26, 2026

Telematic Modular Control is not working properly and part is on backorder. Dealership and GMC have refused to put into writing that my vehicle is safe to drive; however, they are refusing rental vehicle while awaiting arrival of part. Several of my safety features are not working correctly, my left turn signal went out randomly and my auto breaking has activated when there has been nothing near my vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11740057
Incident
May 2, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 20, 2026

The master cylinder failed under 10,000 miles. I was at 5000 miles. I am reading a lot of people have had issues with the master cylinder in the 2024 early 2025 models. Luckily I was in the driveway barely moving, but man if i were on a highway and it happened it could've been fatal!

NHTSA ID
11739018
Incident
Apr 11, 2026
Brakes
Filed May 19, 2026

When backing out of a parking spot of a store , I went to stop and pressing on the brakes nothing happened and I kept rolling backwards. I looked down to confirm I was pressing the brakes and my foot was on the brake pedal pressed firmly. I rolled to a stop put it in drive and checked the brakes and they worked like normal. I made an appointment at the dealership and had an appointment the next day. The said it did not have any codes, it preformed normal and passed inspected so there was nothing they could do about it.

NHTSA ID
11738784
Incident
May 18, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 8, 2026

Brake module malfunction Codes: “service ESC” “break assist failure. Press hard to break. Speed limited”

NHTSA ID
11736675
Incident
May 5, 2026
Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 2026
Crash reported

We filled a report on 04/04/2026 with NHTSA at 12:16 pm but can't find a copy of the whole report. My husband John Chandler was driving our 2025 GMC Avadia Elevation. He was backing out of a parking place when he noticed it wouldn't stop while putting his foot on the break. He was able to put it into drive and it lundged forward and wouldn't stop. He kept pushing with both feet on the break and wouldn't stop. I tried pushing the start button to stop but because his feet were on the break it would restart so then pushed the park button and it stopped as we hit the building. The air bags did not depoy so not going that fast. I pushed the button for 911 and they came on to assist and call police. They asked if everyone was al right and other questions. Lucky no one was hurt and thank God for that. Tow truck was called and taken to local tow yard. The 2025 Acadia was transported to the repair shop but has not been inspected by the insurance company or GMC yet. After repairs are complete it will be taken to the local GMC dealer Ron Smith in Merced, CA for inspection. We did not notice andy warning messages prior to the accident.

NHTSA ID
11733581
Incident
Apr 2, 2026
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2026

While backing out of a parking place my husband noticed he couldn't stop the 2025 Acadia and almost hit restraunt behind us, while pusing on the break. He then started to go forward and kept saying "I can't stop it, it won't stop, I'm pushing on the break." The vehicle then went forward and couldn't stop even pushing on the break. I tried pusing the button to turn off the 2025 Acadia a couple times (possible turning back on and because he foot was on the break restarted the vehicle) and then pushed park to see if that would stop. We hit the building in front of us and stopped. The air bags did not deploy so not going that fast. I pushed the button for 911 and they came on to assist and call police and asked if everyone was all right and other questions. Lucky no on was hurt and thank God for that. Tow truck was called and taken to local tow yard.

NHTSA ID
11729190
Incident
Apr 2, 2026
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 13, 2026

Unknown. Brakes still squeaking after getting them changed with the bulletin notice. Engine surges and idles rough- dealership could not diagnose. Not accelerating randomly, pedal goes in and it does not engage. Gas tank not filling up all the way. Rear cross tracking warning turned off when it is not turned off. AC smells rotten and musty

NHTSA ID
11717900
Incident
Jan 5, 2026
Brakes
Filed Feb 11, 2026

2/10/26. Driving down the highway behind a truck and horse trailer at 60 mph, electric brake system stopped working, couldn't stop, a turn lane saved me from rear ending the horse trailer. I thought i was going to die and kill or injure animals and people in my path. Police came and tow truck. 2/10/26 Vehicle was towed to the closest GMC dealer. MERIT GMC Duncan, Ok Vehicle is at service department. There has been 3 events of complete power failure with the vehicle. It had to be towed three times before. All within the last 6 months. It had never happened while driving! When it happened, a brake light appeared on my dash with the message "electric brake failure" and "speed limited". I slammed the Brake pedal to the floor repeatedly with nothing happening. I had many emotional breakdowns to the police officer, at the dealership, at work when I finally got there hours later and am terrified to drive again. I could have died and hurt others.

NHTSA ID
11717292
Incident
Feb 10, 2026
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2026

Warning message appeared stating "service brake assist" and "service ESC". Took vehicle to dealer, they found faulty Master Cylinder. Multiple parts involved, some on back order, could take weeks to a month or more for repair. Vehicle is less than 1 year in service with approx. 6k miles.

NHTSA ID
11716855
Incident
Feb 7, 2026
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2025

Brakes have failed now three separate times. The brake pedal becomes firm and the car will not stop or slow at all. I am pregnant and also had my toddler in the car with me. No warning symbols on the dash. Taken to dealership after several weeks of communication saying this was a safety issue and received a loaner vehicle. However, they have said if THEY cannot reproduce the issue, we will just get our car back. This is unacceptable. This is one of five issues we have already had with this vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11697774
Incident
Nov 5, 2025
Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2025

While driving vehicle, multiple warning codes appeared including: service traction control, ABS, service brake system and others. More importantly, the power brakes failed and a code was thrown to press hard on brakes to stop vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11696304
Incident
Oct 25, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 27, 2025

I have the little feature that will brake for me if it thinks ima get in a wreck. However it’s glitchy!! I can be the only vehicle on road in BOTH directions, cruise set at 60 when out of nowhere the car slams on the breaks. We go down to like 52 then like nothing ever happened we are back to 60. This has happened several times. I have brought the car into my dealership tomorrow have the software updated and the camera recalibrated. Even after these steps were made this issue is still occurring. Happens about one to two times a week, so pretty often. My worries that I will be rear ended one day if this is not corrected.

NHTSA ID
11695923
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 15, 2025

We had complete brake system failure while driving the car on the highway. The brakes went all the way to the floor when applied and we came inches going into fast moving oncoming traffic before the vehicle stopped. I had to push the break with both feet with all the strength I had to get the brakes to respond at all. The brake assist failure warning light came on and another warning light came on that said SERVICE ESC. I have this on video. This was the first time the warning lights have ever come on. It’s a brand new 2025 car with only 800 miles on it. We were advised by the dealership who sold us the car to get OnStar to tow the vehicle to our local GMC dealership where we bought the car. When the car was hooked up to the diagnoses machine it said brake system failure. I have not received any invoices or paperwork to send you at this point. All I can upload is a video of the warning lights that were appearing on the dashboard after the incident.

NHTSA ID
11693689
Incident
Oct 14, 2025
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 14, 2025

Bought new 2025 GMC Acadia in March of same year. At ~4500 miles I started getting Brake Assist, Forward Collision and Electronic Stability Control warning messages on dash. Upon researching, this is an increasingly common issue with this vehicle that can render the brakes unusable. I no longer feel safe in the vehicle and want it refunded. Car is now in the shop. Taken in on 9/11. Problem has been confirmed by dealer.

NHTSA ID
11687148
Incident
Sep 11, 2025
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2025

While driving my 2025 GMC Acadia Denali on [XXX], from Omaha, NE, to Laurie, MO, I received a "Service Brake Assist" warning lamp as well as "Check Engine" and "ABS" warning lamps in St. Joseph, MO. At this point, my vehicle had 6,945 miles on it. We turned around and went back to Omaha. We dropped the car with Gregg Young Chevrolet at 7,095 miles. The dealership identified the issue as EBCM and master cylinder assembly failure. It replaced the EBCM and master cylinder assembly, test drove the car 7 miles and told me my Acadia was ready to go. I did not make it out of the dealership parking lot before the "Service Brake Assist" and "Check Engine" lights came on again. The dealership again identified master cylinder assembly failure, again replaced said assembly, test drove it 10 miles this time and told me my Acadia was ready to go. I got my Acadia and made it 1.1 miles before the "Service Brake Assist" light again came on. I promptly returned my Acadia to the dealership, where it sits today. At the date I am typing this (9/14/25), the dealership has had my Acadia since 8/22/25. The master cylinder has now failed 3 times at this point. First, after 6,945 miles, second after 7 miles, third after 11 miles. The safety of myself and my family was put at risk by the potential failure of my brake system. This should not happen on a brand new car with less than 7K miles and darn sure not 3 times in a row! Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the dealer 3 times. The dealership is now reaching out to GM to determine what to do. I don't have personal knowledge as far as inspection of the component by the manufacturer. It is my understanding from reading about the issue, that both GM and the NHTSA are well aware of this issue and are investigating. I am also aware of pending class-action lawsuits regarding the brake assembly failure. The first time I received the warning lights is when the system failed (or was starting to fail). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5

NHTSA ID
11687140
Incident
Aug 22, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 7, 2025

I purchased the car on [XXX]. Drove the car about 8000 miles and then all of a sudden the dash lights all lit up for the brakes, ABS, traction control. I pulled the car over and turned it off. When I restarted my car, the lights continued to stay on and it told me to service immediately. I called my dealer and they could not get me in within 2 weeks so I took it to another local GMC dealer who could get it in to look at it that week. I took it in on July 9th, and then received a called a couple days later telling me that it had a bad Brake control module that they needed to order. A week later was told the part was on backorder. Two weeks later was told the part came in but it was still missing the brake master cylinder and reservoir. At that time, I was told the ETA was unknown and I have been calling back every week. On August 23rd I filed a complaint with GMC and have struggled to get anywhere with them. They tell me the dealer has the parts and the dealer tells me that they do not. I still have no ETA and it has been officially 2 months without a car. I am told that it is not safe to drive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11685561
Incident
Jun 29, 2025
Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 2025

Brake assist warning message and BRAKE light appeared a couple of weeks ago, along with others. Brought the car into the dealer, who initially thought they cleared the errors and reported no additional issues when they ran the diagnostics. Nothing was cleared. Vehicle application and monitor also does not show an issue, even though the warning appears at each start up and none of the related safety systems work (ABS, ESC, AEB, etc.) that rely on the brake pump. Information from the dealer and owners manual are in conflict, with the dealer allowing me to drive while the owner's manual indicates it should not be driven with the BRAKE light lit. They have now "diagnosed" a "failed" master cylinder unit that includes electronics and the pump. The car had about 4500 miles on it when the issue occurred. I am at a loss for if it should be driven and trusted or not.

NHTSA ID
11683123
Incident
Jul 30, 2025
Brakes
Filed Aug 18, 2025

Purchase vehicle on August 13, 2025 with 27 miles on it. Drove home from dealership. Started the car on Friday morning and all of these warning lights appeared - Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist Service, Brake light indicator, ABS indicator, traction control indicator, collision warning indicator. Car only had 69 miles at the time. Took vehicle to dealership on August 18, 2025. After diagnostics were performed, it was determined that the Master Brake Cylinder is the issue. The part is on back order and there is no estimated time of when the part will be received and installed. Dealership Rep told me that it was safe to drive the vehicle to the dealership. Service Technician then explained to me that I should not be driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11681285
Incident
Aug 15, 2025
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2025

I purchased the vehicle, and twelve days later while operating the vehicle I experienced full braking power failure. My foot was to the floor board while trying to get the car to slow down. Up until the point of brake failure, there were no warning lights or "symptoms" that would alert me as to an impending problem. My young child was also in the car so that was extremely scary also. During this time, the "service brake assist" light and ABS light came on. I was able to slow the car down enough, restart the car, and the brakes seemed to work, however all of the related braking lights were on my dash. It was brought to the dealer the next day. The dealer has noted that its the master cylinder that needs to be replaced. However, they replaced it, and the new master cylinder has also failed, so they'll need to try and replace it again. I'm concerned this issue could cause severe accidents in the future if it continues to not be addressed.

NHTSA ID
11680024
Incident
Jul 12, 2025
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 9, 2025

Upon starting the vehicle the vehicle immediately starting moving while foot on brake and moved from park to reverse or drive. Unable to stop the vehicle in idle gear and no gas pedal applied. Power steering warning and no brake assist warning on the dash. Unable to stop vehicle within 20ft while traveling at idle speed. Vehicle lights and warnings have been reproduced and is currently at a dealership awaiting further inspection. Vehicle is available for third party inspection if needed. Vehicle at Barker Buick GMC, 6444 W Main St, Houma, LA 70360 on 8/4/25

NHTSA ID
11679553
Incident
Aug 4, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 7, 2025

dash lit up with ABS, traction control, and ESC warnings. Technician stated the entire brake system needed to be rebuilt. There is currently no ETA on when the parts to be able to accomplish this will be available.

NHTSA ID
11679053
Incident
Aug 2, 2025

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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