NHTSA has 387 owner complaints on file for the 2019 GMC Acadia[1]. The biggest groups are the power train and a catch-all group of other issues[2][3].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.
- Power Train. 154 complaints[2]. Owners describe a warning on the dash telling them to put the car in park when it already is. They say the car then will not shut off or lock until they cycle the ignition. Some also describe manual gear controls that stop responding.
- Unknown Or Other. 120 complaints[3]. These reports do not fit a clear component group, so we do not summarize them.
- Electrical System. 105 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe the shifter sticking in park and door locks that fail in wet weather. Others describe the alarm going off on its own and a key fob that is not detected.
- Engine. 58 complaints[8]. Owners describe the car shutting off while driving, a loud exhaust drone that came back after repairs, and a cracked radiator. One owner describes a heater that quit in cold weather.
- Steering. 33 complaints[9]. Owners describe a reduced steering assist message with a temperature gauge and air conditioning that stop working. Some link it to a weak battery.
- Brakes. 17 complaints[10].
- Exterior Lighting. 10 complaints[11].
- Forward Collision Avoidance. 6 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2019 Acadia is necessarily included.
- Tires (21V115), February 2021. About 33,838 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission (20V668), October 2020. About 194,105 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
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.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[5] | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Acadia AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[15] | 21 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Acadia FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2019 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 387 complaints and 2 recalls for 2019[4]. Among the 21 model years listed, 15 have fewer complaints than 2019 and 5 have more[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2008 (854)[4]. 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 2019 Acadia?
The 2019 Acadia has a sizable complaint file, with 387 reports in total[1]. Most of the weight sits in the power train and electrical groups, and the stories we read often involve the shifter and the park warning[2][7]. Crashes and fires are named in only a small share of reports[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recalls section and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide[4].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2019 GMC Acadia?
- Owners file the most complaints about the power train and electrical system[2][7]. In the stories we read, the shifter and a park warning come up often.
- Does the 2019 GMC Acadia have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for this model year[4]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- How many complaints does the 2019 GMC Acadia have?
- NHTSA has 387 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2019 GMC Acadia reliable?
- The complaint file is sizable[1]. Read the problems section and compare with other years on this page, since complaints are not adjusted for sales.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2019 GMC Acadia?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the GMC Acadia
Compare all model years of the GMC Acadia
Other GMC models from 2019
Similar cars from 2019: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 387 owner complaints on file for the 2019 GMC Acadia (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 154 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 120 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Acadia model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Acadia FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. 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 15.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 105 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,807). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,201). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V115, filed February 25, 2021: Tires. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V668, filed October 29, 2020: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Acadia AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Acadia FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2019 GMC Acadia with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 193 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2019 GMC Acadia with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov