2008 GMC Acadia problems
Owners have filed 1,297 complaints about the 2008 GMC Acadia with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 21.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 11.9%.
Complaints1,297
Crashes41
Fires19
Injuries72
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 21.6% · 280
Electrical system 11.9% · 154
Air bags 11.6% · 150
Steering 10.4% · 135
Engine 9.6% · 124
Structure 6.7% · 87
Unknown or other 4.9% · 63
Electronic stability control (ESC) 4.4% · 57
Severity
Of those complaints, 41 describe a crash, 19 describe a fire and 72 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 16 model years of the GMC Acadia in this data, 2008 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 18 in the last three years against 44 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 83,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I was driving home from work at 2am and the transmission went out on my used Acadia after I bought it only a week before. I'm filing this complaint because after much research I have found countless other 2008 Acadia owners who have had the same issue. I feel the transmissions for this vehicle needs to be reviewed and possibly recalled. I have three small children and feel this vehicle is unreliable for them. Power train · reported at 96,200 miles
I was driving 45pmh and all of a sudden I didn't seem to have power so I pulled over and called my husband where he asked me my rpm and if I could manually shift, etc. I could manually shift and only had 2nd gear. I called and had it towed to the dealer where they charged me $4400 to replace the transmission due to faulty wave plate. No help from gm due to out of warranty because I've had it over 5 years. Power train · reported at 64,671 miles
Vehicle lurches when going from 10mph to 20mph was going downhill would no longer accelerate once I was at 40-45 mph it revs up to 4 and nothing had to coast downhill turn into a parking lot and stop the car. Took it to the dealer who sold it to me and he was able to replicate the same issue under similar circumstances. The dealership will look at it but I bought it used for my family at 99,950 miles 8 days ago Power train · reported at 100,250 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…