2016 GMC Acadia problems
The 2016 GMC Acadia has 234 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 GMC Acadia has 234 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 129 complaints, typically surfacing around 119,100 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Acadia | 138 | 0 |
| 2014 Acadia | 466 | 0 |
| 2015 Acadia | 260 | 0 |
| 2016 Acadia (this page) | 234 | 0 |
| 2017 Acadia | 701 | 1 |
| 2018 Acadia | 389 | 0 |
| 2019 Acadia | 374 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around 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: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 GMC Acadia SUV FWD. 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 2016 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
- airbags — 129 owner reports · tends to show around 119,100 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 26 owner reports · tends to show around 56,157 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 81,313 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 79,773 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 119,100 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: 7.4/10 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 2016 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 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
An airbag recall issued in may, 2023 has yet to have a fix after 6 months. This is a significant risk to myself and passengers.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
The car started using more gas when the check engine light came on the dealer said it was the torque converter and it is locking up.it could fail when driven
Recall number N232404980 has not been resolved yet on my 2016 GMC Acadia. Have not been contacted since the first letter from the manufacturer was sent out. Anytime I ask a dealership if the recall can be fixed I'm always told they are unable to get the part.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 GMC Acadia reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 234 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 GMC Acadia?
The 2016 GMC Acadia is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around 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 2016 GMC Acadia?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 129 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 119,100 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2016 GMC Acadia a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 234 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 119,100 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 2016 GMC Acadia?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 129 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 119,100 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 119,100 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 2016 GMC Acadia?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 234 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.