NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2013 GMC Acadia[1]. The electrical system is the group named most often, with 38 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the Acadia. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 38 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the vehicle shutting off while driving, dash lights flashing, power door locks cycling on their own, and a blind spot sensor that quit. Some describe smoke and flames, and the group counts 5 fires[2].
- Air Bags. 29 complaints[6]. Owners describe an air bag warning light that comes and goes, then stays on. Some say the repair did not hold. A few worry the bags would not work when needed, and the group includes 3 crashes[6].
- Power Train. 27 complaints[7]. Owners describe late or rough shifting, fluid leaks that return after dealer visits, and all wheel drive that stopped working in deep snow. Some mention a costly transmission replacement quote.
- Unknown Or Other. 21 complaints[8]. These reports do not point to one clear part, so there is little to say about them beyond the count.
- Engine. 21 complaints[9]. Owners describe power loss and stalling at road speed, warning lights, and wheels spinning without the vehicle moving. Others link battery charging errors to repeat trouble. The group counts 4 fires[9].
- Exterior Lighting. 10 complaints[10].
- Steering. 8 complaints[11].
- Speed Control. 6 complaints[12], with 1 fire[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 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]
- 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.[14]
- 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.[15]
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 2013 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 135 complaints and 3 recalls for 2013[3]. Among the 21 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 13 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 2013 Acadia?
The 2013 Acadia has a clear pattern in the stories we read, with electrical trouble at the top of the list[2]. Air bag warnings and power train complaints follow close behind[6][7]. Fires and crashes are named in some reports, but the totals are small next to the whole file[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for sales. The by-year facts also show recalls for this model year[3], so check the recall section on this page before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 GMC Acadia?
- The electrical system leads with 38 complaints[2]. Air bags follow with 29[6] and the power train with 27[7].
- Does the 2013 GMC Acadia have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts list 3 recalls for 2013[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
- How many complaints are there for the 2013 GMC Acadia?
- NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
- Is the 2013 GMC Acadia reliable?
- Owners filed 135 complaints[1], led by the electrical system[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a verdict.
- What is the gas mileage, and which Acadia year is best?
- Fuel economy and the year by year comparison are in the generated sections on this page, so check those for the numbers.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the GMC Acadia
Compare all model years of the GMC Acadia
Other GMC models from 2013
Similar cars from 2013: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2013 GMC Acadia (5 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). 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 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,360). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,696). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. 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
- EPA rating for Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records