The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the gears inadvertently shifted from second gear to third gear and then to neutral. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken back a fourth time wh…
2018 gmc Acadia powertrain problems
moderate 149 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
149
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
2018 GMC ACADIA. THE CROSSOVER (AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER) IS FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT HAS BEEN PUT INTO PARK, FLASHING A MESSAGE ON THE DASH INSTRUCTING THE DRIVER TO 'SHIFT TO PARK' EVEN WHEN THE GEAR LEVER HAVE ALREADY BEEN MOVED TO THE 'P' POSITION.
WHEN I PUT THE IN PARK, IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY ENGAGED. THE CONSOLE DISPLAYS TELLS ME TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND BEEPS. I HAVE TO KEEP MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO PARK SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT RECOGNIZES THE VEHICLE IN ENGAGED IN PARK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT 8 MONTHS OR SO. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THEIR ARE NO RECALL…
Shift to park message has appeared again and the engine will not cut off. First happened in Feb 2020, mileage was 31,143. Took to Dealer and new wiring harness was installed. Had to take back to dealer April 2020 for same problem; shifter assembly was replaced at that time. Shift to park message came back on August 2023. Took back to Dealer and shifter harness replaced again and jumper harness w…
RECEVIED "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL SCREEN. MOTOR TURNS OFF BUT VEHICLE STAYS IN ACCESSORY MODE AND CHIMES CONTINUOUSLY. DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS THAT PROMISED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WENT AWAY FOR 1 MONTH AND CAME BACK. JIGGLING THE SHIFTER OR FLICKING THE SHIFTER BUTTON IS THE ONLY WAY IT WILL GO AWAY.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting to the park(P), there was an audible warning alarm activated, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to immediately turn off. After restarting the vehicle and jiggling the gear shifter, the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determin…
EXPERIENCED THE "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK " WHEN SHIFTER WAS IN PARK. ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF BECAUSE ELECTRICAL SWITCH DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. AFTER MANY TRIES I WAS ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AND SHIFTER WAS REPLACED (3 WEEKS AGO ). TODAY SHIFTER FROZE IN PARK YET CONSOLE INDICATED VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. DID NOT REMOVE FOOT OFF OF BRAKE BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD …
11/22/24 shift to park issue appeared. Happens constantly. I just bought car on 10/26/2024. I know by looking up shift to park issues there was a recall on 2017 an 2018 cars.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 gmc Acadia?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 149 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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