I purchased this vehicle on june 25 ,2020 and on august 19,2020 it broke down on the expressway while I was transferring from one hospital to another hospital with me I'll 3 year old .I replaced the battery and starter it still would not crank I sent it to Buick GMC in morrow and they told me that the motor was completely gone. I paid my car note up until february 5,2021 and I don't have a…
2010 GMC Acadia engine problems
severe 66 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
66
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 66 engine complaints filed for the 2010 GMC Acadia, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of GMC Acadia we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 66.
Owners have filed 66 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Check engine light came on and I took the vehicle to the local dealership. The service representative informed me this was a stretched timing chain issue - a common issue with GMC acadias. Upon searching the internet for error code p0008 it pulls up loads of information regarding the acadia timing chain issue. In fact, model years 2007 through 2009 had an extended warranty issued for them up to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC acadia. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the timing chain fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC acadia. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number:[xxx]. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000. *mp…
Water leak into the ac- blower fan, the major safety issue here is the front defroster wont be working simply cause the fan stops working due to it being submerged in water. This issue has been noted by many users and requires investigation, I believe. Here is a detailed link to a youtube showing the exact same issue, and I will attach pictures from my own car with the problem shown,…
Timing chain issues. I am about to pay $2500.00 to replace the timing chains. I keep reading that the problem was solved, but since so many people are still having to problem, I guess they haven't fixed the problem
My wife's GMC acadia shut down while driving down expressway and lost all power and threw a CEL. The diagnosis from the dealer mechanics was a stretched timing chain. I was told this is common and a scheduled maintenance part but nowhere in my manual does it state this. Also I contacted gm corporate to see if I could get help it being a safety issue for the shut down and was told it was out of…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 GMC Acadia?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 GMC Acadia?
It's a meaningful issue. 66 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 54 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 71,000 and 119,900 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 71,000; a quarter make it past 119,900. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/GMC/Acadia.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.