NHTSA has 269 owner complaints on file for the 2011 GMC Acadia[1]. Steering is the group named most often, with 64 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of this SUV. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Steering. 64 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe power steering that turns heavy or stiff, whining or grinding sounds, and a few cases of the system letting go while driving. Some report replacing a pump or a rack.
- Engine. 56 complaints[6]. Owners describe stalling, a sudden loss of power with warning lights, a skipping or hesitating feel, and a need to top up oil between changes. Some stories end with a throttle body or engine replacement.
- Electrical System. 47 complaints[7]. Owners describe power windows and door locks that work on and off, gauges acting strangely, climate controls that fail to start with the car, and a melted lighting housing. Several describe repeat dealer visits.
- Exterior Lighting. 38 complaints[8]. Owners describe daytime running lights and headlight housings that overheat and melt, bulbs that burn out quickly, and repairs that did not last. This group also has 5 fires[8].
- Power Train. 33 complaints[9]. Owners filed these under the power train heading, and the group includes 3 crashes[9].
- Air Bags. 19 complaints[10]. This group includes 3 crashes[10].
- Electronic Stability Control. 16 complaints[11].
- Unknown or Other. 14 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Acadia is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Critical Fasteners (21V246), April 2021. About 108 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- 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.[14]
- Seat Belts (14V266), May 2014. About 1,339,355 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- 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.[16]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (12V151), April 2012. About 47,846 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
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
How 2011 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 269 complaints and 5 recalls for 2011[3]. Among the 21 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 9 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2008 (854)[3]. 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 2011 Acadia?
The 2011 GMC Acadia has 269 complaints on file[1], and they spread across steering, engine and electrical parts[2][6][7]. Lighting stands out because it carries 5 fires[8]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many SUVs were sold[1]. The year also has 5 recalls on record[3]. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records on steering, lighting and electrical work, and check the recall list on this page.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Acadia?
- Steering leads with 64 complaints[2], followed by the engine with 56[6] and the electrical system with 47[7]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
- Does the 2011 GMC Acadia have recalls?
- Yes, the year has 5 recalls on record[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints does the 2011 GMC Acadia have?
- NHTSA has 269 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
- Is the 2011 GMC Acadia reliable?
- Owners filed 269 complaints[1], with steering as the largest group at 64[2]. Check the complaint groups above and the recalls section, then weigh them against the service history of the exact SUV.
- What gas mileage and crash ratings does the 2011 GMC Acadia have?
- The fuel economy and safety sections of this page cover those. They are built from EPA and NHTSA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the GMC Acadia
Compare all model years of the GMC Acadia
Other GMC models from 2011
Similar cars from 2011: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 269 owner complaints on file for the 2011 GMC Acadia (8 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,955). 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: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 56 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 47 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,796). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,355). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,366). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V415, filed June 30, 2015: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V266, filed May 20, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V118, filed March 17, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V151, filed April 9, 2012: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records