Equipment Problems of GMC Acadia - part 2

The shift to park notification keeps coming on everytime we go to put the car into park. It takes about five to ten minutes shifting back and forth to get the car to shut off.

See all problems of the 2018 GMC Acadia 🔎.

When I turn the ignition off it sends me a message that I must shift to park. The car is in park at that time that I get the message. I restart the car and move the shift to reverse or drive and move the car and place in park and that may correct the problem or I may have to do this once, twice even three times before it corrects. The warning bell will continue to ring and the radio continues to play until I can get the situation corrected.

See all problems of the 2019 GMC Acadia 🔎.

My 2022 Acadia does not go into park at times even though the control button shows that it is in park. On may 15, 2025, I pulled under my carport and put the car in park. As I reached for my purse in the passenger seat, the car started moving forward even though it was in park. It ran through my privacy fence and injured my daughter who happened to be on the other side of the fence. She had some pretty severe bruising and scrapes on her hip, thigh, and upper body. The pain is bad enough, but her arm and shoulder was injured. It continually feels like something running up and down her arm. This is three weeks later and she still has the problem. The horrifying fact is the reality that I could have killed her through no fault of my own. I had the car towed to the dealership because I was afraid to drive it. Of course, the service department said they ran a test through the electrical system and found no problem with it. They brought my car to the front and told me there was nothing wrong with it. In fact they said they had not heard of that kind of problem. When I have to park I find a parking spot that would be least likely to have someone walk in front of it. If I have to park facing anything I will not pull up fully into the parking space so if my possessed car decided to go for a joy ride while in park again, at least someone would have a running chance to stay alive. I consulted the internet trying to find a fix to the problem. What I found was that gm has had the problem for years and has no idea how to fix it, yet they are allowed to continue to sell vehicles that are a potential safety hazard to society. My vehicle is a safety hazard to me and to society. Also learned that if you take you car to the repair shop you are appeased thinking they repaired the problem and yet it continues. When your warranty runs out, gm expects you to pay for any further visits to the shop. As far as I'm concerned selling gm products could be considered a fraudulent activity!.

See all problems of the 2022 GMC Acadia 🔎.

My Acadia car has been having some problems with the shift to park. I put my vehicle on park and my doesn't turn off because it keeps saying that it hasn't shifted to park. Do to this issue my battery car has been draining and my family and I got locked in. I bought the car not to long ago and it's been an issue ever since its getting worse as time has past. I'm really wanting this fix as it can take hours to turn the car off.

Vehicle producing code p2138 then goes into limp mode stating to service stability, traction control off and engine reduced power. Replaced throttle body and acceleration pedal position sensor and error was still present.

See all problems of the 2012 GMC Acadia 🔎.

Shift to park error message consistently displayed forcing repeated restarting of the vehicle so that it finally recognized that the vehicle was in park and would unlock the doors for safe exit from the vehicle. This was a known issue by general motors and they have 2 class action lawsuits filed n the states of ohio and tennessee for this issue with well over 110,000 vehicles affected. General motors refuses to acknowledge this defect and fails to issue a recall. Their only offer when I took this vehicle to a gm certified dealership was to offer 15% towards the replacement of the shifter assembly. The excuses made were the vehicle was out of warranty as well as over in mileage. I bought this vehicle used from an Acura dealership and accepted delivery of it on [xxx] with approximately 33,417 miles. I started to experience the shift to park error message at 36,013 miles in early may 2025. By the time I was able to receive instructions from GMC customer care and secure repair for this issue the vehicle mileage was approximately 37,000 miles. It is not a pleasant feeling to be trapped inside your vehicle until you can get it to finally recognize that the vehicle truly is in the park mode. With the hundreds of thousands of vehicles on the road with this issue I feel gm should recognize their problem and perform a vehicle recall. This flaw had been installed in numerous gm vehicles manufactured as early as 2017. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

This 2012 GMC Acadia denali with close to 160k has been in the shop several times due to it randomly stalling out it kept basically locking me out from starting the car a "service anti-theft system" would flash across the dash followed by a flashing check engine light along with a lock and key symbol. A local gm repair shop had it in 3 times for them to tell me they couldn't figure it out or get the vehicle to "act up" they cut me two new keys and tightened up what they claimed to be loose battery cables just for the vehicle to die/stall with a no crank no start happen literally 10 minutes down the road after paying almost 600$ for repairs and that it was towed back 3 times for the same issue spanning over two months of them not being able to figure out the issue. Salvador ended up replacing the anti-theft control module after the 3rd time having to tow it back and forth just to leave the shop and I couldn't start the vehicle the next day after handing over almost another 400$ and less than 15/20 miles of drive time. Gm needs to get this issue figured out!!! there anti-theft system locks people out from starting their vehicles more than it does actually preventing actual theft. This will eventually end up causing a major crash at an intersection or highway if the anti-theft system keeps failing it just randomly cuts out power to the engine while driving.

Some times when vehicle is shifted into park it doesn’t recognize it is in park. I have to turn the vehicle off and restart it, shift into drive and back into park. Sometimes it takes a few times. My neighbor has a 2018 traverse and had the same issue.

Shift to park issue car is in park car is not recognizing it and won’t turn off accessories.

While I was driving a code came on my dashboard that read "steering assist is reduced drive with care". Soon after my check engine light came on. I pulled over not knowing what was happening. I took it to the garage to have it looked at and the mechanic stated that there are over 1000 GMC customers with this same issue and that the thermostat is stuck open. Which may cause major malfunction or even blow the engine. I looked up recalls for my vehicle and there are none but GMC issued a recall on other vehicles for this same issue. How do I get help here?.

See all problems of the 2020 GMC Acadia 🔎.

On numerous occasions the key fob is not detected and locked out of vehicle. Key fob notice on panel saying it’s not detected while driving. Took it to jim causley GMC dealer several times and then they kept vehicle for a week unable to duplicate and sent me on my way. This is still happening with no help.

See all problems of the 2021 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The vehicle keeps shaking specially at the first and second gear, up to 40miles/hr and at any up hills roads. I took it to the mechanic and he said that it’s an issue in the transmission and needs to be replaced. Also the engine fan randomly turns on automatically, and a warning message stating “steering assist reduced. Drive with care”.

See all problems of the 2017 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The driver and infotainment center is so dim during the day that it is dangerous to drive the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle in to the dealer 3 times and each time the dealer indicates that there doesn't appear to be a problem, but at no time to my knowledge have they taken the vehicle out into the sunlight, there have been 2 software updates at the dealer and one ota update so far with no improvement. The screens are so dim that there is no way you can tell what icons are there. If you try to do anything while driving, you are taking way too much time trying to look at the screens and as a result a serious and unnecessary amount of distracted driving is occurring. There is no way you could wear sun glasses and view the screen because it appears black. Don't open the panoramic sunroof or the problem is worse. Anti glare screen protectors make the situation worse. I have attached a document I provided to the dealer service department on my latest visit.

While driving all displays, gauges, screens shut off. Unable to determine speed or anything. Car still drives but there is zero driver feedback. System will come back on and the it will happen again. Has been going on for 2 years. Dealer unable to determine the issue.

My arcadia shift to park appears when I park my car beginning to happen all the time now . Started last month and getting worst I have contacted the dealership and was told no recalls . My car is a 2018 with 34,000 miles on it . I am very disappointed with this vehicle . If you can't stand by your product I can't see myself buying another one. Thank you a very disappointed customer [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

After shifting to park and attempting to turn off my vehicle, I receive an “action required shift to park” error message. I’m assuming the vehicle is in park but I’m not certain and worry about it moving or rolling. It is difficult to get it to turn off by jiggling the shifter and turning the vehicle on and off. At times, I am not able to get it off and then the vehicle will not lock and the battery goes dead. According to my VIN there is not an active recall but brief internet search states there has been numerous reports, recalls, and lemon law returns due to this.

I was traveling in my 2021 GMC Acadia in which I have had numerous issues with is the almost 4 years I have owned it. The back up camera 2 weeks after purchase it went out in June of 2021. After that the vehicle in October of 2021 I get in the vehicle on rainy day. Infotainment systems reads error with the sd card that issue progressed I called dealer finally I get service appointment after strike and my vehicle sits at roger’s pontiac GMC 2660 michigan Ave chicago IL 60616 for 10 hours now I placed thread around the crowl and by knob. Car was not touched I was told it was a internal issue and that the gm engineers would need to replace the infotainment system they looked at it again in November of 2022 no closer to finding a problem I called GMC because by now my temperature coolant sensor was working then not working car would say reduced parking assist and then if hot air conditioning wouldn’t work I called GMC offices filed numerous complaints. They called the service manager no one would take calls nothing would get done. So [xxx]I’m driving down [xxx] heading east a big truck flys off of [xxx] slams into side of my SUV destroys every panel on passengers side of vehicle the Acadia mine with all the curtain air bags in the a pillar in ceiling on the front and back seats on top side and bottom side not one deploys not even on the a pillar where rear passengers door is ripped off. I was knocked out if anyone was in them 2 seats like my 2 kids that are always with me [xxx] they could have been killed no safety bags deployed? I basically begged for auto to be repaired of electrical issues when only 2000 miles on it with 900 miles on it GMC I called every week for almost 2 years no help now this! I was injured have not much memory of accident. This auto needs be taken off road I deserve like I asked for when new same car just without issues I could have been killed but no one cared. Now look no air bag information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Shift to park does not complete. System warning comes on and will not turn off until I restart vehicle and redshift to park. Multiple shifts are required to allow the vehicle to accept park. This has been happening for approximately 1 years.

While car is in park, I get the "shift to park" warning after driving the vehicle.

Shift to park. Dash stating shift to park when vehicle has been put in park. Unable to turn vehicle completely off.

Shift to park. Vehicle does not turn off when in park. This recall is in effect on other 2017 Acadias but for some reason ours is not under the recall. Had this issue in 2020 and it was repaired at our cost. It is now doing the same thing.

When it rains(or car wash) my power locks don't work. I get locked out of my car. My car reset itself in the middle of an intersection(like I turned it off and back on again). One of my gauges is always not working. The sunroof doesn't work right. Water is getting in the electrical area somehow. I've taken it to two Chevrolet dealerships, but no help.

Shift to park. Shows it’s in park but it is not.

Intermittent shift to park message displayed while vehicle in park,dtcb000aset. Known problem and service bulletin issued but no recall has been issued. Second safety problem safety features disabled, unknown reason why.

When in park dash still say shift to park . . . . Batteries died lights stay on staibility pops up on dash car have to be jumped then same issues.

Having shift to park warning and dinging after shifting the car into park and turning off the car. Cannot leave the vehicle. Then can’t move the shift lever so have to start the car and attempt to shift car into park again which does not always allow yu to shift to park and leave the vehicle again. If this is such an issue why is there not a recall? I have read many articles online about this issue.

Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection upon request. When I go to put my 2019 GMC Acadia in "park" the shifter states it is in park & the dashboard shows it in "p. " however, when I turn the vehicle off, an error message comes up reading "shift to park" and my car wont fully shut off. You can feel the car move forward or backwards a tiny bit (depending where vehicle is parked). This makes me have to turn the vehicle back on, shift into "drive," back into "park," and then shut the engine off and pray the "shift to park" display doesn't come up. This process was repeated this morning when I arrived at walmart 3x before it finally shut off, then when I got home it happened at least 8x before I could safely leave my car in my garage without the worry of it not truly being in park. This has gotten to the point I have bought wheel chalks to put around my car tires because I am afraid this vehicle could roll down my driveway into my neighbor's house or kill some kid playing in our culdesac. I let the last place I was at know & they told me GMC was aware of the issue, but that there was no way to fix it (auto revival in justin, TX). I am unsure as to whether this issue happened for them or not, as nothing was mentioned after being told GMC is aware. That was on January 10th, 2024. No one else has looked at it besides that. It seemed to be occurring less frequently for several months, and then now it is the worst it has ever been.

Driver side blind spot not longer works. When driving the blind spot indicator just stopped working a month ago and I didn't take notice until I almost hit another car. I contacted GMC about this issue as well and was also told there isn't any recall for this and it would have to be diagnosed by there mechanics. There were no other issues prior to this. Also the "shift to park" warning has been popping up for 3 days now when my car is in park. My car won't complete shut everything off until that warning is turned off. I called GMC of puyallup and was told only certain VIN qualifies for the recall for the GMC 2019 Acadia. That's absolutely ridiculous! I can't exit my vehicle until the car senor knows my vehicle is in park which is a major concern and safety issue because my home is on a slope.

The back up camera failed at 36200 miles and the dealer will not fix. I see there was a recall on 2021 models due to bad cable.

My GMC is in the repair shop for the alert (shift to park). I was once again unable to turn off my car and place it safety in park. This is a known issue and GMC dothan states the 2019 GMC Acadia with my VIN number is not on recall?? this is a know dangerous safely issue.

Shift to park. Dash stating "shift to park" when vehicle has been put in park, this results in being unable to turn vehicle completely off. Have to continually move gear shift and hope that it recognizes that the car is in park, this lasted over 30 minutes of trying to get the car to recognize that it was in park. This needs to be recalled.

It is a shift to park issue. Will not shift into park. . . . Sometimes it takes several attempts before the computer reads it is in park. Then I can turn off the car the car has 130,000 miles and we are repairing the same issue for the third time.

Shift to park warning comes on & you can't lock the vehicle nor will it shut off completely. I've had to start & reverse several times before it engages/recognizes that it is in park. Obviously this is a known issue by reading all the other posts relating to this. Please issue a recall. . . .

My car will not recognize when it is in park. The shifter will say park but the panel says on and all accessories are staying on. It started out doing it every once in a while but now it does it nearly every day. At work I have had to just leave it like that in the parking lot to keep from being late for work and the accessories stay on. Once I had to call for a jump start after work because my battery was dead. I’m not sure if it can be stolen or not when I have to leave it like that but I don’t think it could possibly be safe. And I can’t afford to call for jump starts all the time. Thank you and please help.

I own a 2020 GMC Acadia that has experienced multiple major mechanical failures within one year. In January 2025, at around 74,000 miles, the transmission failed completely with no warning or clear indication of what was wrong. The vehicle suddenly lost power while driving, creating a safety risk for me and my child. I was quoted around $12,000 for the transmission replacement initially before getting gm involved. Gm covered all but approximately $3,600 out of pocket for me and also covered 100% of the timing cover replacement, which was found to be defective during the same repair. Now, at about 84,000 miles, the thermostat has failed, triggering the check engine light. This repair has not yet been completed and is estimated at around $1,500. My dealership informed me they keep thermostat parts in stock because this failure is so common on Acadias. There were no warning lamps or symptoms before any of these failures occurred. All repairs and diagnostics—including the current issue—were done at the same GMC dealership where I’ve always had my vehicle serviced on time. I’ve been a loyal customer and maintain my vehicle according to the recommended schedule. Despite that, I have faced repeated high-cost repairs on a 5-year-old vehicle with relatively low mileage, which has been financially and emotionally overwhelming—especially as a parent who recently lost employment. Having the transmission, timing cover, and now thermostat all fail in such a short time clearly raises concerns about the reliability, safety, and manufacturing quality of the 2020 GMC Acadia’s powertrain and engine systems. Given that gm has already covered most of the transmission and timing cover repairs and dealerships acknowledge frequent thermostat failures, this appears to be a systemic defect that warrants formal investigation.