general problems of the 2008 GMC Acadia

20 problems related to structure have been reported for the 2008 GMC Acadia. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 GMC Acadia based on all problems reported for the 2008 Acadia.

1 Structure problem

Failure Date: 03/09/2017

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. In addition, the base of the driver's seat detached. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

2 Structure problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2017

2008 GMC Acadia. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle lift gate problems after lift gate recall repairs. The consumer stated the lift gate no longer opened.

3 Structure problem

Failure Date: 05/06/2013

Water leaks in front driver and passenger side floor boards, hard to tell where the leak is occurring. Water leaks everytime it rains and drips down onto the wiring and airbags. This causes the gas and brake pedals to become slick posing a safety issue. We bought the vehicle used and this is the first few times we've noticed it. Water leaking on the wiring system cant be good everyone knows water and electricity do not mix.

4 Structure problem

Failure Date: 03/10/2013

Water water water leaking in vehivle everywhere. Dripping from rear overhead lights, rear back-up sensor, around emergency brake, a-pillars are soaked, pooling on driver side floor. Water and electrical = nothing but problems and more problems. This is now our second Acadia in the last month first was a 07 which water was also leaking from even more areas (opened overhead dvd and water just poured out). That vehicle was fixed per TSB yet problem never solved it just continued to leak. Dealership bought it back once they found us a different Acadia which I now have a 08. They said they found out that the 07's water leaking was a major issue but not with the 08's. Well we signed the papers on March 1st and no suprise water leaking everywhere by March 10th. I contacted GMC and was told to have it diagnosed and then they will pass it on to some other department claim specilist person to see if they can help. Oh yeah and found out from GMC that the TSB for drain tube extensions has already been done on vehicle. I am hopefull that GMC will take care of this issue at their expense. ---with the first vehicle, after water issue started my wife would be driving and the power seat would move all the way forward and she could not stop that from happening. She tried to hit the button to stop the seat from moving but it was non responsive until the seat was all they way forward. My wife as very long legs and said if she would have had to make any sort of emergency manovers she would not have been able to. If GMC does not reslove this issue I plan on start the process of a class action lawsuit for all affected Acadia owners.

5 Structure problem

Failure Date: 03/09/2013

Our vehicle sat out in the rain for several hours because we were at our daughter's sporting event in another town. When we came back to our vehicle to drive home, we noticed the carpet was wet and when my husband pulled forward water began to come out of both the third row light and seatbelts. We did our best to clean the water up and planned on contacting the dealership as soon as we could. We drove the car to work the following morning as this is our main vehicle and when my husband shut off the car he noticed that it was making a strange noise. When he tried to restart the car it would not start. We attempted to jump the car, but it would not turn over. We ended up contacting a towing company to take the car to the local dealership. After a month of our car being out of commission, gm and the dealership have determined that there is extensive damage and we will need to have the wiring and circuit boards replaced at a cost of $6000. Gm has completely washed theirs hands of this and continues to say it is an environmental issue and we didn't maintain the sunroof properly (although no documentation was given to inform us that this needed to happen) and clearly they know of the design flaw since they recalled it once for a leaky roof (we had the recall done). There are documented mold issues (which make people sick), airbags that have quit working, defroster motor issues in northern states, in addition to a complete vehicle failure while driving in an undesirable neighborhood. Here is a link to edmonds. Com where there are many, many complaints. . Read more...

6 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/10/2012

Water leak from either sunroof drain tube or faulty seam seal, caused water to come into vehicle causing floors and doormats to be wet and cause moldy odor. Also caused major corrosion to harness and fuse box. Told there could be more corrosion, but won't know until they pull those parts out. I have researched water leak recalls for GMC Acadia's, and although it is currently not a recall, it is a very common problem that happens in many Acadia's, therefore, I believe this problem should be made a recall! I am told that water leaks are not covered under my limited warranty and they only offered to go half with me on the repairs. Told it will be between $900-$1,600. Even going half on either of those amounts, I do not feel it is fair that I pay anything toward a problem that gm knew about when the Acadia came out in '07. Instead of doing something about it back then, they opted to wait and deal with it on a case to case basis. This is not fair that we consumers have to pay for their poor workmanship! gm should be held accountable for their negligence in selling a vehicle that has proved to have continuous water leaks.

7 Structure problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2012

While it was raining outside, I was sitting in the back seat and happened to look up and saw water/ rain trickling out from around the rear interior overhead light, it was also coming in around the sensor in the overhead. The trickle eventually slowed down to a drip. In my opinion, water and electricity don't mix.

8 Structure problem

Failure Date: 06/11/2012

Anytime we get a heavy rain water makes it's way inside the roof of the vehicle. I've got water coming out of seat belt panels, overhead lights, and all over the place. Water/mold and electricity don't mix.

9 Structure problem

Failure Date: 05/10/2012

We bought the Acadia used from a local dealer and the first time it rained significantly water leaked in around the door post at front of vehicle. This leak caused some of the electrical boards to short out which allowed us not to be able to shut the vehicle off even with the key removed. We took it to the dealer, they informed us about the electrical boards and stated the charge to repair. After a call to gm complaint line they repaired the board at no charge to us, but after about 2months same problem accrued same issues. Dealer said water still leaking in but could not find, they dried out the electric connections and said to try it again. After 2months the problem happened again to no help from dealer,my concern is fear of fire from shorted boards or the build up of mold under carpet. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.

10 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/25/2010

Known issue with this vehicle- was never notified of defect. Significant water leak from somewhere in roof into passenger compartment at a posts and into dash area.

11 Structure problem

Failure Date: 03/20/2010

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that on March 20, 2010 while driving at approximately 40 mph in snowy conditions with rocks and debris on the road, he heard a loud clanking noise under the vehicle. The noise was followed by the check engine light which illuminated on the instrument panel. When the contact attempted to accelerate at a traffic light, the vehicle would not move. The police responded but no report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local authorized dealership where the contact was informed that a rock under the vehicle cut the harness wire since it was unprotected. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,800. The current mileage was approximately 41,000.

12 Structure problem

Failure Date: 04/11/2009

I purchased my GMC Acadia '08 slt-2 in February, 2008 from the first owner with only 4800 miles. A month later, I noticed water dripping from underneath the glove box and immediately took it in for the "recall. " they "fixed" it, and much to my delight, I had no problem until about two weeks ago (almost a year with no water). Then I noticed the leak again--same spot. I took the car back to the dealer, and they attempted the repair once more, claiming it was some sort of loose grommet. Again, they "fixed" the problem and sent me on my merry way. The next day, it poured, and even more water came from behind the glove box. I again took the car in, and this time, they held it for three days and apparently found two leaks, the more significant of which was from the lack of adequate silicone fastening the plastic shield underneath the windshield wipers. I picked the car up this morning, and like the rest of the country, we in new england are experiencing heavy downpours. . . And alas, the car is still leaking. I must say that the customer service team at colonial GMC in watertown (MA) has been extraordinarily kind and accommodating, but they still have yet to fix the problem.

13 Structure problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2009

This is in regards to the window seal on the driver and passenger window. It holds water in the seal and has a very strong offensive mold/mildew odor. Each time you roll down either window the smell is so strong that your allergies are immediately affected. I don't think it is healthy to constantly smell mold when you're driving your vehicle. I took it to the dealer a couple of times and they agreed that it was horrible, but only suggested that I take an air hose and blow out the trapped water. That doesn't work because each time it rains or you wash your vehicle it smells again. I hate driving a newer vehicle that smells like a molded trash container. I would like a better solution for this never ending problem.

14 Structure problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2008

Entered my fairly new 2008 GMC Acadia this morning and was greeted with a puddle on the passenger seat and the door jams leaking to a point where the roof liner was also soaked. I am now afraid the water may compromise the air bags and speakers that are located near the leak. Not to mention the odor that will occur from having soaked carpet in a vehicle. I don't believe a vehicle with 10,000 miles and cost me 36,000 dollars new should ever leak.

15 Structure problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2008

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. Whenever it rains, the contact's vehicle leaks badly through the sunroof. The dealer repaired the vehicle, but water began leaking through the windshield and is currently leaking in the rear of the vehicle. The contact is concerned about mold issues. Whenever she takes the vehicle to the dealer, she is informed that the vehicle has been repaired. However, the leaking recurs once she retrieves her vehicle. The failure mileage was 27,214. 4/01/09 updated 04/06/09.

16 Structure problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2008

Water leaking from sunroof - leaks from both airbag areas, above sunvisors and through seatbelts. Have serviced two times and will be going back a third time this week. First occurred 6 days after taking car off lot, then again 1 month later and now 18 days later (each time it has been in the rain). First time, took out windshield and replaced, thinking it was loose seal. Second time said the strip around the sunroof was flat and replaced it. This time they think the front drainage tubes are not working and are backing up into the inside and leaking. The mechanic rode with me and could feel the water puddling up in the sunroof. I am afraid the water will create mold and mildew, as well as get into the electrical components of the vehicle. The water pours out of the front sides and onto the steering wheel as you are driving.

17 Structure problem

Failure Date: 06/05/2008

This is the second time, within two weeks, I have taken my GMC Acadia slt2 awd 2008 to be serviced for a leaky sunroof. I am getting major water damage in the wiring system, and airbag holder. I have more miles on my rental van, then my brand new Acadia.

18 Structure problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2008

Water leaking from improperly installed sunroof drainage system. Water leaked from headliner, a post, b post, under dashboard, and pooling in the driver side floorboard. Incident occurred 3 times before being fixed. Known issue by manufacturer when vehicle was being produced at the factory. System was not resolved/repaired until attention was brought to the service department by the owner of the vehicle. Manufacturer should have fixed poorly designed system prior to producing, selling the vehicle to end consumer.

19 Structure problem

Failure Date: 05/31/2008

I purchased a GMC Acadia slt2 awd 2008 on 5/21/08. 5/31/08 my sunroof leaked, and started dripping out of the airbag holder. The water went into the dashboard into wiring, speakers, vents and then continued to drip onto the floor board. 6/1/08 I started smelling a chemical, which smelled liked a strong odor of propane "like" smell. I have been getting sick and nauseated, along with my three girls. I am concerned about my health, moreover the health of my girls and husband. I also, planned on selling real estate residential property with my Acadia. So, I'm concerned about my future clients, and customers. The dealership, auto town Buick pontiac GMC, 16803 se mcloughlin blv, milwaukee, or 97267, has been unhelpful, due to them "possibly"buying back my GMC Acadia. The sales manager, moon, has been unprofessional and incompetent.

20 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/22/2007

My 2008 GMC Acadia slt2 model has water leaking into the passenger cabin. The water leaks are coming from the seat belt retraction area on the pillars leading down from the roof and also on the pillars at the front windshield where the airbags are located. I also have water soaking the front driver and passenger rugs, it appears water is running down the fire wall from the front possibly down the pillars. The rood headliner is getting wet at each spot where the roof pillars meet the headliner. I am quite concerned about water affecting the electronics, fuse box, airbag deployment and I am concerned about mold. I have noticed that the brake pedal squeaks when I depress it and I attribute this to the water hitting areas it should not be. I purchased this car with 1,275 miles on it as a certified pre owned vehicle on 12/12/07 and I am bringing it back to the dealer tomorrow 12/26/07 to see what they plan on doing to remedy same. I have read of various other experiences with water leaks affecting the fuse box and electronics for overall operation of the vehicle. I feel unsafe. I've read something about a TSB # 07-08-57-002a but I do not see it listed on your site, I will look further.


Other Structure related problems of the 2008 GMC Acadia


Safety Ratings of Acadia Cars
Fuel Economy of Acadia Vehicles
Acadia Service Bulletins
Acadia Safety Recalls
Acadia Defect Investigations