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2015 GMC Acadia: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 GMC Acadia, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. Two recalls cover a driver's air bag inflator that may explode when it deploys[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 243 owner complaints for the 2015 Acadia[1]. Five mention a crash[1], 3 a fire[1] and 4 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. The groups below overlap.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags[2] | 108 |
| Steering[8] | 31 |
| Electrical system[9] | 28 |
| Unknown or other[10] | 23 |
| Power train[11] | 18 |
| Engine[12] | 18 |
| Electronic stability control[13] | 12 |
| Exterior lighting[14] | 10 |
We read a small sample of the complaint texts for the biggest groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.
- Air bags. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a service air bag warning light that comes on, sometimes on and off, with no crash behind it[2]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 91,841[2].
- Steering. Owners in the sample describe power steering that fails, turns stiff or whines, with a leaking or failing pump named as the cause in some of them[8]. The median mileage at failure is 56,000[8].
- Electrical system. Owners in the sample describe failed side detection (blind spot) sensors[9]. Others describe stability and traction control warnings, sometimes with a loss of power[9].
- Power train. Owners in the sample describe rough shifting, shudder or jerking and transmission repairs[11]. The median mileage at failure is 69,000[11].
The engine group has 18 complaints with a median mileage at failure of 19,430[12]. That is a small group, so we draw no conclusion from it.
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls that include the 2015 Acadia, newest first.
- Driver air bag inflator (23V334). Filed May 10, 2023[3]. It covers 995,085 vehicles[3] across certain 2014 to 2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia models. A manufacturing defect means the driver's air bag inflator may explode when it deploys. Metal fragments could hit the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the driver's air bag module for free[3].
- Driver air bag inflator (22V246). Filed April 14, 2022[4]. It covers 2,687 vehicles[4] across certain 2015 Enclave, Traverse and Acadia models. It describes the same inflator defect and the same risk. Dealers replace the driver's air bag module for free[4].
- Side curtain air bags (21V246). Filed April 8, 2021[15]. It covers 108 vehicles[15] across several GM models. The side curtain air bags may not be attached properly, which increases the risk of injury. GM notifies owners, and dealers inspect the weld nuts and realign or replace them if needed, for free[15].
- Tires (15V044). Filed January 28, 2015[16]. It covers 9,074 vehicles[16], including 2015 Acadias built December 9, 2014 to January 16, 2015[16] that came with Goodyear P255/65R18 Fortera HL tires. The tire treads may crack. That could cause a loss of tire pressure or tire failure and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the tires made in a specific date range for free[16].
Fuel economy
Both versions use a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic 6-spd and run on regular gas[6][17]. EPA's annual fuel cost estimate is $3,550 for both, based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions[6][17].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 2015 Acadia 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes and 5 stars for side crashes[7][18]. Rollover is rated 4 stars[7][18]. The AWD version has a rollover risk of 15.5%[7] and the FWD version 16.9%[18].
Engine and size
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
| Measure | FWD (SLE/SLT) | AWD (SLE/SLT/Denali) |
|---|---|---|
| Length[19][20] | 201 in | 201 in |
| Width[19][20] | 79 in | 79 in |
| Height[19][20] | 73 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase[19][20] | 119 in | 119 in |
| Curb weight[19][20] | 4,656 lb | 4,850 lb |
The EPA lists a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine for both versions[6][17].
How 2015 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 |
The 2015 model year has 243 complaints and 4 recalls on file[5]. Ten model years have more complaints. They are 2007 to 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019[5]. Ten have fewer, including 2016 with 236 and 2013 with 135[5]. Among the years with more complaints, 2008 has the most at 854 and 2017 has 705[5]. The 2014 model year has 463 complaints and 6 recalls[5].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide. On these numbers, 2015 sits in the middle of the Acadia range.
Should you buy a used 2015 Acadia?
The 2015 Acadia has a middle-of-the-range complaint count among Acadia model years[5], and its crash ratings are 5 stars overall, frontal and side[7][18]. The main thing to settle before buying is the driver air bag inflator, which two recalls cover, so ask for proof that the module was replaced[3][4]. Also check the VIN for the side curtain air bag and tire recalls[15][16]. In the complaint samples we read, owners mention power steering and transmission trouble, so a test drive and an inspection of those areas make sense[8][11]. Fuel economy is 19 MPG combined on both versions[6][17].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Acadia?
- Air bags are the biggest complaint group with 108 of 243 complaints, followed by steering with 31 and electrical system with 28[1][2][8][9]. Owners in the samples we read describe air bag warning lights and power steering trouble[2][8].
- Has the 2015 GMC Acadia been recalled?
- Yes. NHTSA lists four recalls: driver air bag inflators (23V334 and 22V246), side curtain air bags (21V246) and tires (15V044)[3][4][15][16].
- What MPG does the 2015 GMC Acadia get?
- EPA rates the FWD at 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[6]. The AWD gets 16, 23 and 19[17].
- Is 2015 a good year for the GMC Acadia?
- Ten model years have more complaints and ten have fewer, so 2015 is in the middle by complaint count[5].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 243 owner complaints on file for the 2015 GMC Acadia (5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 108 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,841). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V334, filed May 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V246, filed April 14, 2022: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 31 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,591). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,430). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V044, filed January 28, 2015: Tires. 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 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 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 4,656 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- 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 4,850 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov