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2012 GMC Acadia: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 296 owner complaints on file for the 2012 GMC Acadia[1], and it lists 5 recalls[2]. Steering, power train, structure and electrical reports lead the complaints, so check recall status and repair history before you decide[3][4][5][6].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Acadia[1]. Eight mention a crash and two a fire, and 17 injuries are reported[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.
Here is how the complaints split by component group.
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Steering[3] | 46 | 73,113 |
| Power train[4] | 43 | 98,300 |
| Structure[5] | 42 | 60,735 |
| Electrical system[6] | 41 | 84,000 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 39 | 92,000 |
| Engine[10] | 37 | 100,000 |
| Air bags[11] | 33 | 81,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[12] | 22 | 60,000 |
The counts are close together, so no single group stands out by a wide margin. We read a small sample of the complaint texts in four of the groups. What owners describe there is below.
- Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 8 describe power steering that turned heavy, came and went, or locked up[3]. 6 of the 12 mention a power steering pump or rack replacement[3]. Two of those describe the repair failing again[3].
- Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints, 8 describe the transmission shuddering, jerking, hesitating or not shifting as expected[4]. Some say the dealer could not reproduce it. Two others describe drive line parts coming loose[4].
- Structure. In a sample of 12 complaints, 8 describe the power liftgate falling or closing on its own[5]. 4 of the 12 say they were waiting on a part for the liftgate recall repair[5]. Structure also has the most injuries of any group, 11[5].
- Electrical. In a sample of 12 complaints, 6 describe faulty gauges or warning lights, and 2 describe water leaking into the cabin[6].
Samples this small only show what owners describe. They do not tell you how common a problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2012 Acadia. Each one covers certain vehicles, so check your VIN with a GMC dealer or NHTSA. Newest first:
- Side curtain air bag fasteners (21V246). Recall opened April 2021. The side curtain air bags may not be attached properly. If they are loose, they may not work as intended and injury risk goes up. Dealers inspect and, if needed, realign or replace the weld nuts for free. Owner letters went out in May 2021[13].
- Power liftgate struts (15V415). Recall opened June 2015. It covers 2007 to 2012 Acadias with the power liftgate built from September 2006 to February 29, 2012. The gas struts that hold the liftgate up can wear out early, and the open liftgate may fall and hit someone. Dealers update the liftgate motor software so it prevents rapid closing, for free. The recall began November 15, 2016[14].
- Seat belt cable (14V266). Recall opened May 2014 and covers 1,339,355 vehicles across several models[15]. A steel cable that links the front seat belts can fatigue and separate, so the belt may not hold the occupant in a crash. The fix is an inspection and, if needed, a new lap pretensioner for free. The record says parts were not available yet, and owners would get a second letter when they were. Our data does not show the current status, so ask a GMC dealer whether the repair can be done today[15].
- Side air bag wiring (14V118). Recall opened March 2014. Extra resistance in the front seat side air bag wiring can keep the side air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying in a crash. Dealers replace the affected harness connections with soldered ones for free. The recall began June 16, 2014[16].
- Wiper arm nuts (12V151). Recall opened April 2012. It covers vehicles registered in certain states listed in the recall, plus the District of Columbia. Snow or ice buildup can loosen the wiper arm and stop the wiper, which cuts visibility. Dealers tighten the wiper arm nuts for free. The recall began April 20, 2012[17].
Fuel economy
EPA lists both versions with a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine, an automatic 6-speed and regular fuel[7][18].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive[7] | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | $3,550 |
| All-wheel drive[18] | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | $3,550 |
Remove the[7] tag or the sentence.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 2012 Acadia 5 stars overall in both the all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions[8][19]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[8][19]. NHTSA's rollover risk figure is 15.5% for all-wheel drive[8] and 16.9% for front-wheel drive[19].
Engine and size
The EPA listing shows a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine with an automatic 6-speed[7][18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly[20][21].
How 2012 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 lists 296 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2012 Acadia[2]. Several other model years have more complaints. These are 2007 (428), 2008 (854), 2009 (331), 2010 (343), 2014 (463), 2017 (705), 2018 (396) and 2019 (387)[2]. Others have fewer, such as 2011 (269), 2013 (135), 2015 (243) and 2016 (236)[2].
On recalls, 2009 has 7, and 2014 and 2020 have 6 each[2]. 2007, 2008 and 2011 also have 5, the same as 2012[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many were sold, so read them as a rough guide only.
Should you buy a used 2012 Acadia?
The 2012 Acadia sits in the middle of its own model line on complaints, with 296 filed[2]. Steering, power train, structure and electrical reports lead the list[3][4][5][6]. Owners in the samples we read describe heavy or locking power steering, transmission shuddering and a liftgate that falls[3][4][5]. Before you buy, ask for repair records on those areas and have a dealer run the VIN for open recalls. Pay special attention to the seat belt cable recall, since the record we have says parts were not yet available[15]. Merge the last two sentences or drop one.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Acadia?
- Steering has the most complaints at 46, followed by power train at 43, structure at 42 and electrical at 41[3][4][5][6]. In samples we read, owners describe heavy or locking power steering, transmission shuddering and a power liftgate that falls[3][4][5].
- Does the 2012 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5: 21V246, 15V415, 14V266, 14V118 and 12V151[13][14][15][16][17]. Check your VIN to see which apply to your vehicle.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 GMC Acadia?
- EPA rates the front-wheel drive version at 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG, and the all-wheel drive version at 16, 23 and 19[7][18].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 296 owner complaints on file for the 2012 GMC Acadia (8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Acadia model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 46 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,113). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- 42 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,735). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 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
- 39 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACADIA 4DR SUV AWD SLE/SLT/DENALI: length 201 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,925 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACADIA 4DR SUV FWD SLE/SLT: 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