What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Acadia?

Owners name the engine most often, then the electrical system, power train and steering.

Does the 2020 GMC Acadia have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 6 recalls for 2020. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 GMC Acadia?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2020 GMC Acadia reliable?

Complaints are spread across several groups. Check the recall list and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.

2020 GMC Acadia Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2020 GMC Acadia have?

NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2020 GMC Acadia^[1]. The engine is the biggest group with 30 complaints, followed by the electrical system^[2]^[3].

106owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[4]

21–24MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Engine. 30 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe rough or jerky restarts, shuddering while driving, and warning lights that show up together.
Electrical System. 28 complaints^[3]. Owners describe screens and cameras that drop out, radio errors, sensors that act up, and gauges that fall to zero.
Power Train. 22 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the vehicle slipping out of gear, losing power at low speeds, and shaking under steady driving.
Steering. 20 complaints^[8]. Owners describe power steering that cuts out and returns on its own, often alongside a warning message and an air conditioning problem.
Unknown Or Other. 14 complaints^[9]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 9 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 8 complaints^[11].
Forward Collision Avoidance. 8 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Acadia is necessarily included.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (22V709), September 2022. About 95,231 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.^[13]
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.^[14]
Tires (20V684), November 2020. About 7,516 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.^[15]
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.^[16]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (20V639), October 2020. About 2,781 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling.^[17]
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator (20V446), July 2020. About 769 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.^[18]

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 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	21 / 27 / 23	$2,900
Acadia FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,050
Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[21]	18 / 25 / 21	$3,200
Acadia FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	21 / 28 / 24	$2,800
Acadia AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[22]	21 / 27 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[6]	5	5	5	4	15.1%
SUV FWD^[23]	5	5	5	4	16.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 GMC Acadia with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[24]	237 hp
2020 GMC Acadia with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[25]	193 hp
2020 GMC Acadia with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[26]	310 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ACADIA 4DR SUV AWD^[27]	193 in	76 in	67 in	113 in	4,239 lb
ACADIA 4DR SUV AWD DENALI^[28]	193 in	76 in	67 in	113 in	4,389 lb
ACADIA 4DR SUV FWD^[29]	193 in	76 in	67 in	113 in	3,922 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Acadia model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[4].

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 106 complaints and 6 recalls for 2020^[4]. Among the 21 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 14 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 2020 Acadia?

The 2020 Acadia has 106 complaints on file^[1], spread across several systems rather than one. Engine and electrical reports lead the list^[2]^[3]. Power train and steering follow close behind^[7]^[8]. Recalls exist for this year too^[4]. These are unverified owner reports and not sales adjusted, so use them as a guide to what to check on a test drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Acadia?: Owners name the engine most often^[2], then the electrical system^[3], power train^[7] and steering^[8].
Does the 2020 GMC Acadia have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 6 recalls for 2020^[4]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2020 GMC Acadia have?: NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 GMC Acadia?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2020 GMC Acadia reliable?: Complaints are spread across several groups^[2]^[3]^[7]^[8]. Check the recall list and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the GMC Acadia

2008 854 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 343 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 269 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 296 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 135 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 463 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 243 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 236 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 705 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 396 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 387 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 this page
2021 154 complaints, 2 recalls
2022 49 complaints, 3 recalls
2023 47 complaints, 4 recalls
2026 10 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the GMC Acadia

Other GMC models from 2020

2020 GMC Terrain 197 complaints, 2 recalls

All GMC models

Similar cars from 2020: suvs

2020 Lincoln Navigator 32 complaints, 13 recalls
2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2 complaints, 8 recalls
2020 Nissan Armada 27 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 Buick Enclave 60 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 Ford Expedition 425 complaints, 18 recalls
2020 Hyundai Palisade 541 complaints, 5 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2020 GMC Acadia (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Acadia model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Acadia FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. 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 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V709, filed September 22, 2022: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V115, filed February 25, 2021: Tires. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V684, filed November 5, 2020: Tires. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V668, filed October 29, 2020: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V639, filed October 15, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V446, filed July 30, 2020: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain › Inflator. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Acadia FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Acadia FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Acadia AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-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, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. 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 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 GMC Acadia with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 237 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 GMC Acadia with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 193 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 GMC Acadia with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACADIA 4DR SUV AWD: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,239 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACADIA 4DR SUV AWD DENALI: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,389 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACADIA 4DR SUV FWD: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,922 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2020 GMC Acadia: problems, recalls and fuel economy