Best and worst GMC Acadia years — which to avoid

Buying a used GMC Acadia can be one of your best moves on the used crossover market, but only if you avoid the worst-rated model years. While it’s a reliable CUV for the most part, certain model years had serious struggles with the airbag system and transmission.

So, our team set out to investigate by checking out the details on best years to buy and worst GMC Acadia years to avoid which we ranked according to available driver feedback and complaints on platforms like NHTSA. We’ve used verified information from trusted sources and first-hand experience of other drivers to form our lists, so make sure to stay by the end of this guide for thorough buying advice.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst GMC Acadia years

While crafting this guide, our team based its search on renowned automotive sources, and what better option there is than NHTSA’s databases? We were able to start our mission there and obtain factual details on GMC Acadia’s recalls, complaint number per model year, and most common issues.

From there, we spread our research to other sources that feature real-life tests of the vehicle and safety ratings that we greatly appreciated when getting our list ready. Finally, we used real driver reviews and ratings from sites like Edmunds, KBB, and similar rating platforms coupled with information available at GMC Acadia forums to form our opinion.

Most common GMC Acadia problems

The GMC Acadia is one of the best options for drivers looking to get a used mid-size SUV or crossover with a lot of room and solid reliability. Over the years, some GMC common problems have popped up, but the Acadia is overall a pretty good vehicle.

Still, it’s worth noting that some model years faced problems that could set you back for quite a few bucks, so let’s take a more detailed look:

1. Transmission faults and shifting difficulties

It all started back in 2008 when it comes to GMC Acadia’s transmission issues. Drivers have reported numerous problems with the 6T75 6-speed automatic transmission. Some of the most common complaints were associated with transmission completely failing.

On top of that, there have been complaints about the transmission not shifting above the second gear, and activating the limp home mode for no apparent reason. It’s, either way, a dangerous issue if you are driving on a Highway. This problem often leads to a transmission rebuild that costs up to $3500 for this model.

2. Airbag system problems

Another issue that some Acadia models have had concerning driving safety is the airbag system fault. It tends to manifest a bit differently from one driver to another driver, and one of the most common signs is the SRS light that turns on.

The airbag problem was mostly associated with the seatbelt sensor malfunction or the failure of airbag sensors in the car altogether. There’s been a recall of the 2012 model Acadia due to faulty side airbags, so it’s worth checking if the car has gone through a recall before buying one.

3. Dim headlights

This is one of the problems that could make a driver wonder about the number of lumens in car headlights since the lights on second-generation Acadia seemed dim. Drivers have reported this issue posing a real safety threat, especially when driving at night.

If the road wasn’t properly enlightened, most drivers with this problem relied on their fog lights to add a bit of visibility. The headlights issue persisted for the second-generation Acadia, most notably with the 2017 model year. However, these issues were also reported for 2008, 2010, and 2011 model years.

4. Engine problems

Besides the transmission issue, engine problems were the highlighted downside of some GMC Acadia model years. These posed red flags for most drivers looking to buy a first-generation Acadia. While the 3.6-liter V6 provided sufficient torque and power, it had a few flaws.

Some standout disadvantages included oil and coolant leaks, as well as head gasket cracks that sometimes turned out to be fatal for the engine. The engine itself is robust and well-designed, but it’s sensitive to the slightest decrease in engine oil or coolant leaks, and if not checked regularly, it could lead to expensive repairs.

Worst GMC Acadia years to avoid

The biggest problems that drivers have faced with GMC Acadia included troubles with the automatic transmission and 3.6-liter V6 engine overheating. These issues were later solved with the second generation that introduced a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine also featured in the Cadillac CT6 and Chevy Malibu XL. Based on these, the worst GMC Acadia years are as follows:

• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2017

The 3.6-liter remained an option for the second generation, but this time it vastly improved. Along with the engine, the transmission also got updated with a 6-speed 6T50 and a 9-speed 9T50 featured in later model years. Based on this, buying a newer GMC Acadia model is much safer than a first-generation one, but we’ll take an in-depth look at these problems for specific model years below.

First-generation GMC Acadia (2007-2009 and 2012 model years)

The first generation of GMC Acadia was in production from 2007 to 2017, and while it had some problematic years, not all of them were so bad. Starting with the 2008 model year, the Acadia faced some serious issues with the automatic transmission. That made the model one of the worst-rated Acadia years up to date.

These issues continued for the 2012 and 2013 model year, and to make things worse, there were oil leak and coolant leak issues with the 3.6-liter engine. These were solved with the final years of the first generation and the introduction of the second generation Acadia.

The 2012 model year Acadia also suffered from side curtain airbag issues and this resulted in a recall, so that’s another thing to keep in mind.

Second-generation GMC Acadia (2017 model year)

While the second-generation GMC Acadia is still ongoing and it’s difficult to assess the recent models with low mileage, there has been just one reported problem. Namely, it’s the issue with a rearview camera and it mostly has to do with the way that the cable connectors are set.

Because of this, GM scheduled a recall to prevent the rear camera from completely failing, since it’s used in the parking assistance system. If you are looking to get a second-generation Acadia, you might want to avoid this year, although recalled models are just as safe to get with a fixed camera.

The inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo engine also proved to be quite reliable and it makes a better choice than the 3.6-liter V6. While the power output is slightly smaller, the 2.0-liter turbo engine has just enough torque and considerable performance coupled with low fuel consumption.

What are the best GMC Acadia years to buy?

Now that we’ve spent so much time analyzing the faults noticed in GMC Acadia models, it’s time to go through the best model years. Having in mind the severity of the mentioned issues, you may be wondering – what are the best GMC Acadia years?

The best GMC Acadia years include 2013, 2016, and 2020 models, and we’ve also included those in our list along with a few other reliable models:

• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022

The most important thing is that the later model years from the first-generation Acadia had significant transmission improvements. While it’s not as reliable as the 6-speed automatic and 9-speed automatic from the second generation, it’s still a much better option to go with the 2014 and later models.

When it comes to other issues that the early Acadia models had like airbag faults and coolant leaks, the turbo engine type in the second generation solved it. Based on all this, let’s take a closer look at the most reliable model years.

2013 GMC Acadia

The 2013 GMC Acadia showcased stellar dependability thanks to a lot of the issues of the previous model being solved. For this one, there were far fewer reports of automatic transmission failures, while the 3.6-liter V6 was updated with more robust parts to make it less prone to oil leaks.

It had some issues with the A/C heater and electrical system, but none of these were the deal-breaker for potential buyers. Along with that, complaint reports were significantly reduced, making this model one of the best-rated Acadia releases for the first generation.

2016 GMC Acadia

The 2016 Acadia model has a similar backstory as the 2013 one, although it received a few more engine options so powertrain issues were reduced to a bare minimum. Along with that, there weren’t many recalls scheduled for this model, making it one of the longest-lasting options out there, especially paired with a 2.0-liter turbo engine that proved to be better than the V6.

2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia made one of the best possible options for buyers on the used car market, keeping in mind the positive customer feedback that it received from renowned automotive agencies.

Known issues were only reduced to a couple of complaints made to NHTSA and IIHS regarding electrical features and malfunctions of interior accessories that didn’t cause many headaches for owners.

Is the GMC Acadia worth buying?

When the time comes to make a final verdict on the reliability of GMC Acadia, it’s worth looking back at its main faults. It’s known that you might have some struggles with engine and transmission maintenance for 2008, 2012, and 2013 models.

However, outside of these model years, GMC Acadia rates more than well when compared to vehicles like Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Bronco, and Kia Telluride. It’s a worthy buy, especially for the second-generation models with low mileage on the used cars market.

Gathering feedback directly from those who’ve been behind the wheel and complementing it with detailed research, we focus on making your next car choice a clear-cut decision. Keen to avoid the pitfalls of certain model years? Our articles like Buick Enclave years to avoid, Chevy Traverse years to avoid, and Volkswagen Atlas years to avoid unveil the years that might not live up to expectations. Launch into your car buying adventure equipped with our expert insights, paving the way for a decision that’s informed, confident, and ultimately satisfying.