GMC Acadia problems
232 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
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.
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 232 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'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 232 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.