2013 GMC Acadia problems
The 2013 GMC Acadia has 138 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 GMC Acadia has 138 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 35 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,783 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Acadia | 348 | 0 |
| 2011 Acadia | 280 | 0 |
| 2012 Acadia | 300 | 0 |
| 2013 Acadia (this page) | 138 | 0 |
| 2014 Acadia | 466 | 0 |
| 2015 Acadia | 260 | 0 |
| 2016 Acadia | 234 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 5 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
- Powertrain: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 83,000–115,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 GMC Acadia SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 GMC Acadia? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 35 owner reports · tends to show around 65,783 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 26 owner reports · tends to show around 83,160 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 26 owner reports · tends to show around 95,857 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- lighting — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 95,967 mi · ~$250 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 65,783 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 GMC Acadia
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2013 GMC Acadia
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~65,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~82,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~100,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The electrical motor for the side view mirror malfunctioned on the passenger side of the vehicle and no longer works. It will not turn in and is stuck outward. The driver's side works at this time. The vehicle was stationary in my garage.
First it started with the daytime running lights staying on hours after vehicle is shut off then it went to parking lights staying on as well and now the driver side lights are out including liscence plate lights nothing works but the headlight
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC acadia. After the vehicle was parked, the vehicle continued to move forward and dragged the contact as she was exiting. The vehicle rolled over the contact's left leg and crashed into a light post. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The…
At 35-40 and 55-65 mph, the car slips/ pulls back. I took it to the dealer, my rep said it is a known issue and GMC issued a bulletin but will not recall it because it's too expensive. There are thousands of reports online. Please investigate.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 GMC Acadia reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 GMC Acadia is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 GMC Acadia?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 GMC Acadia is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Powertrain: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 83,000–115,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 GMC Acadia?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 35 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,783 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 GMC Acadia a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 138 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 65,783 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 GMC Acadia?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 35 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,783 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,783 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Acadia has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 GMC Acadia?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 138 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.