Power Train Problems of GMC Acadia - part 2

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 🔎.

Leaking transmission fluid.

See all problems of the 2024 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The vehicle stalls when air start kicks on so when stopped auto stop kick on and when your ready to go the go stalls to turn back on. I have also lost power to the car randomly. Power train issue on car keeps coming on with engine light. I have taken to dealer when car was under warranty and they were very dismissive to my issue. They changed some sensor under warranty and they said the issue was fixed. But the issue remains and it’s causing several issues to the car with also a fueling code to the engine light.

See all problems of the 2020 GMC Acadia 🔎.

Very bad shuttering when driving, took it to transmission shop and they said it needs to be replaced.

I have had nothing but issues with this vehicle from the day I purchased it. I should have been more leery of purchasing a vehicle with so few miles on it as a certified vehicle. First issue lift gate wouldn’t work. Had to have sensors replaced twice. Next was the purge valve sensor that has went bad 3 separate times. Then the crankcase vent sensor. Paid a fee for diagnostics, it was not repaired took it back when the engine light came back on, they replaced it without charging but I was advised it’s not covered under warranty. And most recently my check engine light came on yet again today now reading an issue with the engine cooling system. Unfortunately the dealer is so booked out, my only option is to drop it off and hope they can get it in by a cancellation or no show. Seems there are new issues ever 3-6 months with the car.

See all problems of the 2021 GMC Acadia 🔎.

A couple of months ago, I tried to put my car in park and shut it off the same way I have for years. The car made a rapid alarm sound and displayed a shift to park message on my dashboard. In order to get the car to shut off correctly, I had to squeeze the button on the shifter and gently push forward and backwards until the car recognized that I was in park. This now happens approx. 1 in every 15 times I try to turn off my vehicle. When this happens, I do not know if my car is actually in park and this is just a sensor issue or if the car is in fact struggling to shift to park!? if that's the case, couldn't it roll into someone or some thing? I remember Jeep having this issue a few years back, where people were killed when their "parked" Jeep rolled over them. I think a famous actor was one of those victims in his driveway. Has GMC ever released a statement as to why only some VIN #s are included in this recall, when many of us on here are experiencing the same issue??.

The vehicle would not recognize the truck was shifted to park. The gear shift was replaced in 2024 and the same problem occurred 9 months later. The first GMC repair location did not connect the shifter cable correctly, causing the problem to persist. I had to pay twice to resolve an issue seen in many of the 2017 GMC Acadia models. This problem should be considered a recall, and charges for repair should be covered by GMC.

Vehicle gives, “driver assist reduced drive with care” warning randomly. Lane change will no longer work and engine light will come on. Problem is sporadic and does not stay active. Engine light will shut off after a day. Once vehicle is shut off cooling fan runs extremely loud and for a long period of time draining battery.

2014 GMC Acadia denali when accelerating the car is sputtering and slipping. The rpms are increased. There is a delay in shifting and it is rough. The car jerks and has a pause when accelerating. This is an expensive repair. Is GMC going to help or make it a recall? my local mechanic suggests it gets repaired as soon as possible or sell it - am not comfortable selling it with a bad issue. Unsafe. GMC needs to correct this. GMC - do your part and make this right for your customers. I read many complaints regarding this issue. How many complaints does it take before GMC will make a recall on this issue? I also have a recall on the airbag. I have been having an issue with the light on for 2 years and called many times on it. Last year they said there was no active recall. I see now that there is one. I called and was told that I should have received a letter. I never received a letter of the official recall and the repair is covered. I am now waiting 4-8 weeks for the dealer to get the part in and for them to then call me to schedule an appointment. Why do they not have them in stock? I have been scared every time I drive my 2014 GMC Acadia knowing at any point the airbag could go off at any moment or if I was in an accident it may not inflate to save me. This is terrifying as a driver. Especially knowing that serious injury or death can happen. I hope GMC is going to do the right thing and make the transmission issue a recall and have parts on hand at dealers to get repairs fixed. What is GMC going to offer me and other customers to help pay for this serious issue to be fixed? as well as, pay for a rental car while waiting to get the issues resolved.

See all problems of the 2014 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination, the contact shifted into reverse to park the vehicle; however, after parking and shifting to drive(d), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact became aware after several attempts that the transmission was stuck in park(p). The blank warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the inline shifter wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to technical service bulletin: 19-na-206. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 111,000.

See all problems of the 2018 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was shifted into park; however, the gear shifter failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the “shift to park” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed shift to park gear. The contact stated the dealer had not provided a cause for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Torque converter is going bad, hard shift when going slow then speeding up, stuttering at random times, vibration, hard shifting into reverse. No check engine light. Acadia known for transmission and torque converter problems.

See all problems of the 2015 GMC Acadia 🔎.

While I was driving the vehicle started jerking and not changing gears. Several times it almost caused an accident with me and my son in the car. I turned the car on/off and restarted it at the red light, the exact same thing happens. Lucky a GMC dealer ship was near by. I was able to get there still jerking and not changing gears. No warning signs appear during this whole time. No prior issues with the transmission. Once I made it to the dealship then engine like came on. Really now! the dealer checked vehicle and stated the transmission is gone out. I was flabbergasted, almost $10,000 had to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting to park, the vehicle could not immediately be turned off. The message "shift to park" was displayed. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was able to be turned off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v516000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 59,000.

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.

Sold 2018 GMC Acadia by lee GMC in auburn. Acadias shift to park was defective, dealership replaced before sale did not disclose, shift to park and transmission malfunctions occurred. I returned Acadia to the dealership several times and they would never properly fix or address my concerns now my vehicle is unsafe to drive. I have documentation to support the claims in my letter, I can send as well if you’d like. Thank you will send attachment.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to park(p) to turn off the vehicle, the message that the vehicle was not in park(p) was displayed. The contact stated that the gear shift indicator showed that the vehicle was in park(p). The contact shifted to drive(d) and then back to park(p) several times before being able to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was 89,776.

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

See all problems of the 2019 GMC Acadia 🔎.

Twice the shift to park function of the vehicle has failed, once in 2020 and again in 2025, it appear that there is a recall for the year make and model vehicle, but for some reason my particular VIN in not included in this recall. The recall needs to be expanded to address this safety issue.

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to park(p), the message to “shift to park” was displayed. The contact shifted from park to neutral and back to park until the proper gear was recognized. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

Vehicle shudders and jerks while accelerating. This caused a scary incident while driving on ice.

Shift to park on the dash display.

Transmission shudder from torque converter.

See all problems of the 2011 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact shifted from park (p) to drive(d) and was eventually able to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the letter p(park) was outlined in yellow and was illuminated on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to close and lock the driver's side door, the door failed to lock securely. The contact stated that the failures occurred simultaneously. The contact stated that the failures were intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

On about 01/20/2025 my transmission? auto started to shudder before going into 3rd gear threw 5th. Once in 6th gear at about 55 the auto starts to shudder and turns into a rumble feeling. My auto only has 100650 for miles on it. It has been serviced and have brought it to gm 01/24/25 to ask about it? after talking to service adviser. It would cost me 75. 00 for someone to go with me to confirm it is doing it. Then make an appointment for further evaluation. No price given at this time. But did not on paper! say that it is most likely torque converter causing the problem? confirmed it is not under warranty and there was nothing gm could do. I have been to at least 3 other shops in my area and they all say the same thing and price. Which is between 6 to 7 thousand dollars to replace the transmission. They all dosay that when it goes it could make me loose control due to lockup.

See all problems of the 2016 GMC Acadia 🔎.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after making a left turn and stopping at a traffic sign, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating before gaining forward momentum while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle bucked or lunged forward while accelerating. The contact stated that there was no warning light during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the intermediate drive shaft was failing. The mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA campaign number: 17v516000 (power train) and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer to be repaired. The contact had called a local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Transmission control value issues. I was driving my car and rpm spiked up high and I coasted and there was no acceleration the rear wheel tires locked up and I felt a jerk. Placed the vehicle in park and pulled hand gear shifter into drive and the vehicle shifted back into park by itself. Same thing happened on placing the vehicle in reverse. Like the car had a mindset of its own. Luckily I was only going 20 miles per hour this could have been a fatality. This vehicle is not on the recall list. It should be because they use all the same parts.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into park, the message "shift to park" was displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced technical service bulletin: pit5616; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that occasionally while attempting to park the vehicle and shifting the gear selector into park(p), the message "please shift to park" was displayed; however, there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to turn off the vehicle during the failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated upon attempting to turn off the vehicle, the instrument panel remained operable with the message "shift to park" displayed while the gear shifter was already in park(p). The contact shifted out of park(p) and shifted back to park(p) several times until the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to successfully turn off after several attempts, causing the battery to become drained. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Shift to park message when vehicle is in park not allowing vehicle to be shut off.

When I shift the car into park, a message pop up in the window to shift the car in park and keeps beeping. I can’t turn the car off and will have to restart the car and pull forward a little then try again sometimes that does not work. The light indicator says the car is in park but I can’t turn the car off.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while shifting the gear shifter into park(p), the "shift to park” message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to shift from drive(d) to park(p) repeatedly before the failure was corrected. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would become sticky with the "steering assist reduced - drive with care," message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the infotainment system glitched and performed independent functions, causing the driver to be distracted. The contact stated that the infotainment system was replaced when the vehicle was purchased due to the failure; however, the failure recently recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of several failures and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the "shift to park" message was displayed on the instrument panel. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control harness needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,187.

12/13/2024: while pulling onto the highway, the vehicle suddenly not accelerate past about 18 mph and would not shift gears, only rev the engine louder. Once button was pressed to engage shifting gears manually, the gear number was not shown on the dash as usual, only the letter l. We were able to drive slowly to the next exit ramp to get safely off the road. Notification about engine/transmission popped up on dash and on mygmc app. On star emailed report. Vehicle was towed to local gm dealer and assessed. Have been told that transmission needs completely rebuilt, but no description of actual issue. As of today, 2/5/2025, still waiting on parts to complete transmission rebuild.

See all problems of the 2022 GMC Acadia 🔎.