general problems of the 2019 GMC Acadia - part 1

Vehicle continued to have shift to park message when car was already in park. This is a known issue in some other GMC vehicles. Safety issue that the battery could drain or the car could roll unexpectedly. This message repeatedly displayed on the vehicle. The dealer confirmed the problem and performed the repair. Repair order number is xxx for $549. 17 on xxx at boucher Buick GMC of waukesha [xxx]. While there isn't a recall on file for this specific VIN number, I believe it should be included in the recall and I am requesting reimbursement. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Shifter micro-switch is not working and is available for inspection upon request. Vehicle is not shutting off as it is indicating shift to park. The vehicle unable to shut off can cause issues while parked in the garage still running and worried about causing a fire. Problem diagnosed by private individual but have plans on taking it to dealership. The shift to park indicator issue has been occurring for almost a year and has progressively gotten worse. I have noticed other vehicles with the same make/model/year have had similar issues with known defects that a recall was issued.

I purchased vehicle used 2 years ago last year. I noticed the air conditioner was not cooling. I summed it up too, and extremely hot summer. This summer I did the same thing. I took it in immediately. Catastrophic, I think I bought it like this. It fell apart, the air conditioning compressor fell apart. There is like shrapnel through everything, and they have to go through and clean everything out. It's gonna cost me over two grand. But it only be in 40000 miles on it. I understand it's a twenty nineteen, but owner said at forty thousand miles. This should never happen.

I am submitting this complaint to request that NHTSA investigate a potential safety defect involving the engine coolant temperature monitoring system, thermostat/engine coolant temperature sensor system, and its relationship to reduced steering assist in 2019 GMC Acadia vehicles. My 2019 GMC Acadia, currently at approximately 61,500 miles, has experienced the following symptoms: • the engine temperature gauge remains flat or reads abnormally low/cold. • the cooling fans run continuously at extremely high speed, creating a loud "screaming" fan noise. • the vehicle displays the warning message "steering assist is reduced — drive with care. " • the vehicle has a history of diagnostic trouble code p0128, "engine coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature. " I am concerned that these symptoms are related and represent a potential safety defect rather than an isolated thermostat or cooling-system repair. Gm has issued bulletin pit5967, "service steering message with p0128," which applies to GMC Acadia vehicles from model years 2017 through 2023. The bulletin states that when p0128 is present, the ecm may be reading coolant temperature incorrectly and that a "service steering message" may be displayed to protect the steering gear in the event of an undetected overheating condition. Gm instructs technicians to diagnose and repair p0128 first. Gm bulletin 17-na-158 also describes a relationship between p0128, an invalid coolant-temperature signal, and the "steering assist reduced, drive with care" warning. The bulletin explains that the steering module relies on valid coolant-temperature information to provide additional steering assistance under cold conditions. When the coolant-temperature signal becomes invalid, this function can become inoperative, potentially resulting in a heavier-than-normal steering feel.

I am getting the 'shift to park' error message when I put the vehicle in park. When I looked up the error this is what I got. . . But I don't see a recall for my vehicle. The "shift to park" message in GMC Acadias (2017–2019, primarily) is a common, known issue caused by a faulty microswitch in the shifter assembly that fails to recognize when the car is in park. This defect prevents the engine from shutting off, drains the battery, and requires a replacement of the shifter switch or assembly.

Shortly after purchasing my 2019 GMC Acadia with 52,000 miles on it, my wife parked the vehicle in our driveway and shifted the transmission into park. When she pressed the push button to shut the vehicle off, the instrument cluster displayed a "shift to park" message even though the shifter was already in the park position. Because the vehicle did not recognize that it was in park, it would not shut off completely. The radio remained on, and the doors could not be locked. The only way to get the vehicle to shut off was to repeatedly shift from drive to park until it finally recognized park. This occurred multiple times. After researching the problem, I discovered that many other gm owners have experienced the same "shift to park" failure. I believe this is a widespread defect that should be investigated because it can prevent a vehicle from shutting off properly, leave electrical accessories powered on, drain the battery, and prevent the vehicle from being secured when parked.

2109 Acadia. The gear shift would not register as being in park when it actually was in park. This created an issue of the interior lights and radio not being turned off when the driver door was opened, posing the possibility of the battery being drained and the driver stranded. Upon searching, it was learned many Acadias have had this issue, including a friends'. This was reported to GMC executive resolution team and that it cost us $341. 38 to get it repaired. They refused reimbursement and have not issued a recall even though many Acadias are involved in this problem.

My car will not shut off when shifted into park. I get a shift into park message.

Park to shift issue - the vehicle did not register that I was in park, jerked hard when trying to place in gear, did not register the proper gear (reverse, neutral, drive), would not unlock doors to let passengers out even if it were an emergency. Seems to be triggered on inclines but have also been having issues on flat ground. Other Acadia's apparently have a recall for this issue but my VIN does not register as recalled which is not acceptable. . Read more...

The engine temperature gauge was reading cold when driving for 40 minutes and the fan was running on high. Also said steering assist reduced. Brought it in and had to replace the thermostat, because of the code they received. That fixed the issue.

For the past 4 months after turning off the engine, my vehicle is failing to recognize that it is in park. I am getting a message on my display stating “shift to park”. This is preventing my vehicle from shutting down.

Shift to park error on dashboard when turning the car off and it is in park, the car does not register that it is in park and continues to run electronics in the car. Causing the car to show the error on the dashboard. This runs the battery down and car may jump out of park and roll. Asked dealer to look at it and they refused due to it not being on the recall list for my VIN #. No, dealer refused and no other person will touch this issue, since its electronic in the vehicle and only the dealer can fix. Had it to another repair shop that informed me of this information. No known abnormalities prior to the incident that occurs every time you try to shut off the vehicle. Causing several attempts to turn the car off and make sure it is off and does not move on its own.

My 2019 GMC Acadia suffered a "major trans fluid leak" specifically from the transmission accumulator feed pipe. Because of this leak, the transmission lost its necessary hydraulic pressure, leading to "internal damage". This is why I experienced harsh shifts and a complete "missing 3rd gear". This exact part and failure mode are the center of NHTSA recall 20v668. The recall warns that missing bolts on the accumulator can cause a fluid leak, progressing to a total loss of propulsion—which is exactly what has happened to my vehicle.

Shift to park issue - this is a know issue/recall for the 2019 GMC Acadia yet it when I enter my VIN number the recall doesn't show up as a problem. Yet it took me 10 tries yesterday to try and turn my car off because each time I went to turn it off, I got the message to shift it to park. This has been occurring weekly since I purchased the used car in August 2025.

There are 2 issues im experiencing. The first is the vehicle won't allow me to shut down the engine because it doesnt recognize that its been shifted into "park". Ive already paid close to 800. 00 to. Have this repaired because my model year is not covered in the recall. Today, it started doing it again. The safety issue is that either I, my wife, or my teenage daughter (depending on who is with the vehicle). Can be left stranded, unless we pop the hood and disconnect the battery. The second issue is that the tire pressure monitor is no longer working. It is sending warnings that our tire pressure is low. When its not. The safety issue is needing to pull to the side of the road to check the tire pressure and also not knowing when the vehicle may actually have a low tire.

Shift to park caused by a faulty micro switch. Woukd take up to 30 min to get car in park, leading to engine shutdown failures and possibly battery drain I did replace battery before I knew this was causing this. Messages did appear saying this was an issue ,must shift to park but no indication of how to do it. I got this repaired at barkley GMC Dec 29:30.

When in park the car is alerting to “shift to park”.

Vehicle is in park, and the shft sensor does not recognize the shifter is in park. Won't let you turn off rhe car.

When I put the car in park, I get an error message that says shift to park and it takes putting in park numerous times to get it to clear so I can trun the car off and lock it. I know there have been some models that have been recalled due to this problem, however mine is not included in that recall. I would like to know why it is not included and if there is any help available to correct this issue.

Shift to park error message when in park.

The put in park shows after engine is turned off, have to restart and shift out of park and back to park. This could take several times to accomplish.

I bought a car about 2 months ago and they did not tell me the thermostat was bad and they won’t cover it.

When I park and then turn the car off the car fails to recognize that the gear shifter is in the park position. As a result, the car doesn’t fully shut down, leaving the engine running or the electronics active. This drains the battery. I have seen this issue is recalled for other 2019 Acadias but don’t under why it is not recalled in mine. I’m afraid I’ll be out and about and unable to turn my car off resulting in a dead battery and being stranded.

Check engine light comes on, temperature gauge stops working, driving assist reduced notification, engine fan runs on high only. Temperature gauge and sensor were replaced 27,000 mi ago when this happened before.

When the vehicle is put into park and I turn the vehicle off I get an alert on my console saying "shift to park". I called gm customer service and was told "harness" had been replaced in 2020. I bought the vehicle in 2021. Last year I had to replace the "harness" and it is doing it is now doing it again.

Shift to park message, and chime remain on after car shift handle is already placed in park. Car rolls. Ongoing problem/defect well documented/reported among other similar units.

Shift to park issues when placing the vehicle in park.

When putting my vehicle in park and pressing the button to shut off my car, a warning appears on the dashboard saying “warning: put vehicle in park. ” & it is in park. I have to wiggle the gear shifter in order for the warning to go away and if it won’t go away, then my car won’t turn off. There was a recall on it in 2018 & I need mine fixed. Somehow, my vehicle was not apart of the recall but it needs to be. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

With the "shift to park" function, where the vehicle displayed the message even when it is in park, preventing the me from turning off the ignition.

Car gives “shift to park error” around every 5th time I turn it off. I have to turn the car back on and repark it to be able to actually turn off.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the issue was with the gear select switch and jumper harness, related to the "shift to park" malfunction in my 2019 GMC Acadia. Yes, the components were available at the time of the repair with the GMC dealer. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the vehicle would not recognize when it was in "park," which prevented it from being turned off. This could lead to unexpected vehicle movement or battery drain, and creates a safety risk if the driver assumes the vehicle is secure when it is not. It also poses a hazard if the vehicle cannot be safely shut down in an emergency or in unsafe conditions. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes, the issue was reproduced and confirmed by a GMC dealer during an appointment on July 22, 2025. They diagnosed the problem and verified that the gear select switch and jumper harness needed replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? the vehicle was inspected and repaired by an authorized GMC dealer. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no, a "shift to park" warning message appeared and the vehicle would not allow me to turn it off without shifting in and out of park multiple times. This first occurred on July 18, 2025, and continued until the repair was made.

Since buying my 2019 GMC Acadia multiple times a day my auto shift to park will not allow me to lock my door as normal. It says there is no recall associated with my VIN number however my particular year, make and model has the same issue. Please make this make since.

Thermostat stuck open and a steering assist light came on engine temp needle at zero. Check engine light came on, had to have thermostat and coolant engine temp sensor replaced.

When vehicle is placed in park, it is still showing a "shift to park" message once car is turned off.

Shift to park issue. This 2019 Acadia denali has been serviced twice for a shift to park issue:(it’s a known problem that occurs when Acadia vehicles fail to recognize that the gear shifter is in the park position). The first time was under warranty in 2022 and it has just been serviced again for the same problem. The system is the same as the older gm recall for this problem and the recall should also include this model as well but unfortunately it does not.