This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 GMC Acadia airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 GMC Acadia have filed 129 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
129
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Acadia | 29 |
| 2013 Acadia | 26 |
| 2014 Acadia | 226 |
| 2015 Acadia | 104 |
| 2016 Acadia (this page) | 129 |
| 2017 Acadia | 71 |
| 2019 Acadia | 3 |
| 2020 Acadia | 3 |
3crashes
5injuries
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 55% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 129 airbags 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides information on the inboard seat airbag is mounted in this area and creates a slightly different contour of the seat causing an appearance concern, and that this should be considered normal and no parts should be replaced for this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The front driver-side airbag inflator in affected 2016 GM Acadias (and select 2014–2017 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave models) carries a manufacturing defect that may cause rupture during deployment, spraying metal shrapnel into the cabin. General Motors issued Recall N232404980 in May–June 2023. Nearly two years later, replacement parts remain unavailable through dealerships and GM has provided no timeline for remedy.
Owners report calling dealers repeatedly—in monthly intervals in some cases—only to be told no parts exist and none are expected soon. One owner finally secured an appointment in January 2025 only to wait two hours and learn the part was not there. GM Customer Assistance acknowledges parts are unavailable but provides no corrective action plan beyond asking customers to "keep checking."
One vehicle experienced actual airbag rupture during a minor accident at approximately 130,000 miles; the ruptured airbag lacerated the driver's face. Another owner reports illuminated airbag warning lights on vehicles at 150,000+ miles.
Owners express frustration over being unable to sell vehicles with open safety recalls, loss of trade-in value, and pressure to keep driving vehicles flagged as unsafe. Some dealerships declined to accept recalled vehicles on trade-in. Several owners asked GM for interim loaner vehicles pending repair; responses were inconsistent and often required corporate authorization that was not granted. One owner has been dealing with the recall for nearly three years with no resolution.
Same GMC Acadia airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Front driver-side airbag inflator rupture risk (Recall N232404980 / 23V334)
The driver-side front airbag inflator contains a supplier manufacturing defect that may cause inflator rupture during deployment. Rupture can allow metal fragments to pass through the airbag and strike occupants, risking serious injury or death. Recall issued May 2023, affecting 2014–2017 model year vehicles (Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia).
When: Recall issued May–June 2023; complaints filed through January 2025 (1.5+ years with no remedy available)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated (reported in several complaints); Unexpected airbag deployment during normal driving (one case at ~130k miles in reverse); ruptured airbag lacerated driver's face
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 23V334000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement inflator/airbag module required; parts have not been available since recall notification. Multiple dealers and GM confirmed no parts in stock and no timeline for availability. One owner reports attempted repair appointment in January 2025 with part not present upon arrival; dealer ordered part with no follow-up. No costs cited because repairs are not being completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N232404980 (Manufacturer) / 23V334 (NHTSA). Status: Remedy not yet available. GM acknowledged defect and issued recall notification (June 2023 for some vehicles). Remedy has remained unavailable for 1.5+ years. Some owners report GM offered loaner vehicles pending repair availability, though dealerships inconsistently honored this. One case cites GM escalation process and promise of communication; owner reports weeks passed with no resolution. No recall expansion, buyback program, or fleet replacement announced in narratives.
Synthesized from 129 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 16 most recent
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 repair. The dealer had not been contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
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.
GM safety recall N232404980 received in June, 2023, states that fragments could may pass through the air bag which may result in injury or death to the occupants. As of 12/19/2023, GM is still saying that the parts to repair aren't available. Not acceptable.
I've contacted my local GMC dealer over a year ago around the exact time I received the letter about the airbags and the problem still hasn't been fixed because I was told that they don't have the parts.
I received notice of the recall on the airbag of my vehicle. I contacted the dealership and was informed I should contact GMC if I was concerned for my safety. I contacted GMC, explained my case and now several months down the road and I am still driving a vehicle that could explode in my face, quite literally, if anything happens. Although I can control my driving actions, I cannot control…
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was…
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
Safety recalled the airbag on my vehichle and dealers dont have the ability to order the airbag needed to replace per GMC Auto shops.
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 airbags problem on the 2016 GMC Acadia?
It's a meaningful issue. 129 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 129 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 119,100 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2016/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.