NHTSA has 854 owner complaints on file for the 2008 GMC Acadia[1]. The same year also has 5 recalls listed below[2].
Most reported problems
Owner complaints fall into a handful of groups, and these are the biggest.
- Power train. 279 complaints[4]. In the stories we read, owners describe gears that would not shift as expected, a car that moved on its own after being left in gear, and traction control that shut off while driving.
- Electrical system. 153 complaints[5]. Owners describe a battery that kept going flat, water getting into the cabin and wetting the fuse area, and headlights with melting housings.
- Air bags. 150 complaints[6]. Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on again and again, even after dealer visits that found nothing. Some also describe air bags that did not open in a crash.
- Engine. 144 complaints[7]. Owners describe exhaust or other fumes reaching the cabin, check engine lights, and camshaft trouble early in the car's life.
- Steering. 133 complaints[8].
- Structure. 87 complaints[9].
- Unknown or other. 63 complaints[10].
- Electronic stability control. 57 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Acadia is necessarily included.
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate (15V415), June 2015. About 691,144 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Side/Window (14V118), March 2014. About 1,176,407 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Electrical System (10V240), June 2010. About 1,365,070 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.[14]
- Electrical System (08V441), August 2008. About 857,735 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (08V410), August 2008. About 88,809 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD/AWD[18] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 15.5% |
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACADIA 4DR SUV FWD SLE/SLT1/SLT2[19] | 201 in | 79 in | 73 in | 119 in | 4,722 lb |
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 428 | 5 |
| 2008 | 854 | 5 |
| 2009 | 331 | 7 |
| 2010 | 343 | 4 |
| 2011 | 269 | 5 |
| 2012 | 296 | 5 |
| 2013 | 135 | 3 |
| 2014 | 463 | 6 |
| 2015 | 243 | 4 |
| 2016 | 236 | 4 |
| 2017 | 705 | 4 |
| 2018 | 396 | 2 |
| 2019 | 387 | 2 |
| 2020 | 106 | 6 |
| 2021 | 154 | 2 |
| 2022 | 49 | 3 |
| 2023 | 47 | 4 |
| 2024 | 61 | 0 |
| 2025 | 67 | 0 |
| 2026 | 10 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Acadia show 854 complaints and 5 recalls for 2008[2]. Among the 21 model years listed, 20 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 0 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2008 (854)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 Acadia?
The 2008 Acadia has a long complaint record, with 854 reports on file[1]. The power train group is the largest, followed by the electrical system and air bags[4][5][6]. Some reports mention crashes and fires, so it is worth reading the recall list and safety sections on this page before you buy[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many were sold. Check the service history of any one vehicle with care.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Acadia?
- The biggest complaint group is the power train[4]. The electrical system and air bags come next[5][6].
- Does the 2008 GMC Acadia have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 5 recalls[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints does the 2008 GMC Acadia have?
- NHTSA has 854 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2008 GMC Acadia reliable?
- The record is mixed to worrying. Owners filed many complaints about the power train, electrical system and air bags[4][5][6]. See the sections above and the by-year comparison on this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 GMC Acadia?
- See the fuel economy section of this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the GMC Acadia
Compare all model years of the GMC Acadia
Other GMC models from 2008
Similar cars from 2008: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 854 owner complaints on file for the 2008 GMC Acadia (22 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 38 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Acadia model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Acadia FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 279 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,109). NHTSA vehicle records
- 153 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 150 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,454). NHTSA vehicle records
- 144 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,907). NHTSA vehicle records
- 133 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 87 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,129). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 114,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 57 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,797). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V415, filed June 30, 2015: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V118, filed March 17, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V441, filed August 28, 2008: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V410, filed August 14, 2008: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACADIA 4DR SUV FWD SLE/SLT1/SLT2: length 201 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,722 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov