While driving on a city street the 2014 GMC sierra 6.2 l v8 lost power and started running rough as approaching an intersection. I was able to stop, and reverse the vehicle away from the intersection, to get out of traffic. The engine light was flashing and the truck shut down, it was unable to restart. The truck had under 60,000 miles on it at the time of the first incident. It was towed to…
2014 GMC Acadia engine problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 engine complaints filed for the 2014 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 GMC Acadia has a pattern of sudden engine shutdowns while driving at any speed, sometimes without check engine lights, causing loss of power steering and brakes—a serious safety hazard. Owners also report timing chain failures, rocker arm fractures, and internal engine damage requiring major repairs or replacement, often occurring below 100,000 miles.
The 2014 GMC Acadia exhibits a disturbing pattern of sudden engine shutdowns while driving, occurring at speeds anywhere from 5 to 70 mph without warning. The engine simply cuts off—the driver loses power steering and brake assist, though the radio and dashboard lights stay on. The engine typically restarts after the driver pulls over, but the problem recurs erratically. Some owners report no check engine light at all, while others see it illuminate after restart. One owner notes the vehicle enters limp mode, restricting speed to 30 mph in highway traffic. Owners cite internet research suggesting a known fuse box issue.
More serious failures involve internal engine damage. One owner experienced timing chain failure at 99,000 miles while driving at 70 mph; the engine locked solid and required replacement. Another owner had rocker arm and exhaust spring failures, first at under 60,000 miles (requiring cylinder head rebuild and four fuel injector replacements), then again at 61,752 miles with a broken spring stuck on backorder. One dealership told an owner at 59,000 miles that the entire engine needed replacement due to startup failure and power-loss warnings. Diagnostic codes P0018 and P0021 (timing chain and camshaft actuator) appear in at least one case, though dealers sometimes clear these codes under warranty without repair.
Same GMC Acadia engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalls/shuts down while driving
Engine shuts off suddenly while driving at various speeds without warning. Vehicle loses power and power steering/brakes stop functioning. Engine typically restarts after stopping and the vehicle returns to normal operation. Check engine light may or may not illuminate.
When: Occurs at speeds ranging from 5 mph to 70 mph, happening intermittently and erratically during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Loss of power steering and brake assist; Radio and dashboard remain powered; Vehicle restarts normally after stopping; Check engine light may or may not appear; Intermittent limp mode (limited to 30 mph) reported in one case
Codes mentioned: No active codes on scanner in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports GM dealer informed them to contact NHTSA; owners mention this is a known fuse box issue per internet research
Timing chain failure with engine damage
Timing chain fails internally, causing engine to stop running and become locked or inoperable. Results in catastrophic engine damage requiring full engine replacement or major rebuild work.
When: Reported at approximately 99,000 miles in one case; another case at 61,752 miles with spring breakage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine loses all power while driving; Engine locks up or becomes unable to restart; Check engine light flashing; Running rough before failure; Loss of power steering and brake assist during failure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports timing chain and rocker arm replacement in #2 cylinder, cylinder head rebuild, and 4 fuel injector replacements after first incident; later spring replacement needed (on backorder); another owner told timing chain failed and destroyed engine; owners note this is reported as a common failure on mid-size GMC/Chevy/Buick SUVs
Check engine light with timing chain and camshaft actuator codes
Check engine light illuminates due to timing chain and camshaft actuator performance issues. Dealership retrieves diagnostic codes but clears them under warranty without performing actual repairs, and the vehicle is not fixed.
When: At 44,547 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: P0018, P0021
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement recommended but not performed; codes repeatedly cleared by dealer under warranty without repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted
Engine fails to start with service warnings
Engine fails to start and multiple warning messages appear on the instrument panel indicating traction control and engine power issues. Failure recurs.
When: At approximately 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to start; Service Traction Control warning illuminated; Engine Power Reduced warning illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership informed owner that engine needed to be replaced
Rough engine running and extended cranking on startup
Engine cranks for an extended period when starting and runs rough for a few seconds after startup. An odd smell accompanies these symptoms.
Symptoms owners cite: Extended cranking period during startup; Rough running for a few seconds after engine starts; Odd smell present during startup issue
Rocker arm and exhaust spring failure
Internal engine components fail, including rocker arm and exhaust spring fracture. First failure occurred in #2 cylinder rocker arm and exhaust spring; second failure involved #5 cylinder spring breaking.
When: First incident at under 60,000 miles (August 2019); second incident at 61,752 miles (December 2019)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine running rough; Loss of power while driving; Check engine light flashing; Engine shuts down
Repairs/costs cited: Rocker arm and exhaust spring replaced in #2 cylinder; cylinder head rebuilt with new head; 4 fuel injectors replaced after first incident; #5 spring replacement pending on backorder at time of complaint
Engine continues running after key turned off
Engine continues to run after the ignition key is turned to the off position and removed from the ignition.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine continues running after key is turned off; Engine continues running after key is removed
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The vehicle shuts down without warning at various speeds. From 5mph-70mph. This happens erratically and without warning. It results in an immediate loss off all power.
Had engine trouble with your 2014 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 2014 GMC Acadia?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 34,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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/2014/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.