2015 GMC Acadia Problems: Airbags (239 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2015 GMC Acadia is Airbags (42% of 239 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Airbags — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 239 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2015 GMC Acadia?

100 of 239 filings named Airbags (42% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Steering (26 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2014 has 459 reports on file; this year has 239. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2015 GMC Acadia

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  3. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Airbags. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Airbags 100 complaints · 41.8% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 5
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 4
  • Deaths 0
All GMC Acadia years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Airbags (AIR BAGS) appears in 100 of 239 owner complaints (41.8%) in this vehicle snapshot. Airbags (AIR BAGS): 100 complaints, 41.8% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 3 crash reports 100 · 41.8% Steering (STEERING): 26 complaints, 10.9% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 crash reports 26 · 10.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 17 complaints, 7.1% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 fire reports 17 · 7.1% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 12 complaints, 5.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 12 · 5.0% Engine (ENGINE): 10 complaints, 4.2% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 10 · 4.2% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 9 complaints, 3.8% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 9 · 3.8% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 8 complaints, 3.4% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 8 · 3.4% Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE): 7 complaints, 2.9% of reports Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 1 crash reports 7 · 2.9% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 7 complaints, 2.9% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 7 · 2.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 39 complaints, 16.3% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 39 · 16.3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 100 41.8% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 26 10.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 17 7.1% 0 crashes · 3 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 12 5.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 10 4.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 9 3.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 8 3.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 7 2.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 7 2.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 39 16.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2015; the first recall shown was reported in Jan 2015. 2015-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2018-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2018-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2018-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2019-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2019-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2020-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2020-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2023-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q3: 33 owner reports 33 2023-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2024-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2024-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2024-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2024-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2025-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2026-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2026-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Jan 2015 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 15V044000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V044000 Recall campaign 21V246000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V246000 Recall campaign 22V246000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V246000 Recall campaign 23V334000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V334000
  • Campaign 21V246000 was reported 1,648 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V246000 was reported 2,019 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V334000 was reported 2,410 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2015-Q2 Owner reports 3
2015-Q3 Owner reports 3
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 1
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q4 Owner reports 4
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q2 Owner reports 3
2017-Q3 Owner reports 2
2017-Q4 Owner reports 3
2018-Q1 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 4
2018-Q3 Owner reports 11
2018-Q4 Owner reports 3
2019-Q1 Owner reports 5
2019-Q2 Owner reports 9
2019-Q3 Owner reports 10
2019-Q4 Owner reports 11
2020-Q1 Owner reports 3
2020-Q2 Owner reports 6
2020-Q3 Owner reports 5
2020-Q4 Owner reports 4
2021-Q1 Owner reports 6
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q3 Owner reports 3
2021-Q4 Owner reports 1
2022-Q1 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 4
2022-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 3
2023-Q1 Owner reports 5
2023-Q2 Owner reports 7
2023-Q3 Owner reports 33
2023-Q4 Owner reports 21
2024-Q1 Owner reports 22
2024-Q2 Owner reports 7
2024-Q3 Owner reports 5
2024-Q4 Owner reports 2
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 6
2025-Q3 Owner reports 2
2025-Q4 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 4
2026-Q2 Owner reports 6
2026-Q3 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 15V044000
Recall campaign 1 21V246000
Recall campaign 1 22V246000
Recall campaign 1 23V334000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags.

  1. Recall campaign 15V044000

    Safety recall 15V044000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the tire treads crack, a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires that were manufactured within a specific date range, free of charge. The rec all began on March 9, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 15025/15067. Note: This recall is for Goodyear P255/65R18 Fortera HL tires installed as original equipment. For tires that were purchased as replacement equipment, see recall 15T-002.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 21V246000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 22V246000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the drivers air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222366190.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 23V334000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 239 complaints · page 1 of 10
2026-08-23Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11758928
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2015 gmc Acadia, vin ending 7457,p2635,stuttering/hesitation and engine stalling when Arizona temperatures exceed 100* f , and mechanic advising that the condition corresponded to a known gmc issue for which they could not obtain an applicable corrective part / repair
2026-07-08Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 11748965
CrashFireInjuryDeath
the flexible steel cable connecting the seat belt to the seat separated and broke resulting in no way to use the seatbelt/connecting the seat belt to the connector on the seat.
2026-06-10Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 11743111
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Drivers side seat belt broke where it connects to floor part. Cable broke. Never have had this to happen in my life!!!
2026-05-21Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11739276
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate was opened, however the tailgate failed to function as intended. The contact noticed an abnormal grinding sound and the tailgate independently closed while the contact was removing packages from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred when using the key to open the tailgate or when opening manually. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed tailgate actuator. The contact was informed that the tailgate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,222.
2026-05-18Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 11738470
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked he observed the drivers seat belt that the braided steal cable was broken and the seat belt clasp was barley hanging on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drivers seat belt was broke and was hanging off and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was 178,600.
2026-05-04Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11735634
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the instrument panel went blank before the panel began to flash when it returned. The contact then stated that several various warning messages began to appear all of which were related to the vehicle's electrical features. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a code reader found no defects with the vehicle. Close to a week after the initial failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts as previous failure returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. Upon his own inspection and research regarding the vehicle, the contact linked the failure to the vehicle's BCM(Body Control Module). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
2026-04-22Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11733153
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Issue: Repeated failure of safety‑critical module Description: The Side Blind Zone Alert system on my 2015 GMC Acadia has failed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. The system becomes inoperative and displays “Side Detection System Unavailable.” A local GMC dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failure of the SBZA module due to loss of communication. This failure has occurred repeatedly, approximately every two years, despite prior repairs and replacement of the module at my own expense. This is a safety‑critical driver‑assist feature, and the repeated failure pattern suggests a defect in the design or durability of the module. The system is unreliable and cannot be depended on for safe lane‑change operation. GM Customer Assistance has declined to provide support or escalate the case further, despite the safety implications and documented repeat failures. I am reporting this because the failure affects safe operation of the vehicle and appears to be a recurring defect affecting multiple owners of this model.
2026-04-07Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11729800
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The airbag emblem keeps popping up.
2026-03-25Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11726905
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the automatic alert system anti-theft system locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the safety sensors in the mirror and the rear of the vehicle became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side mirrors, and reverse light sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on three occasions, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall for the failure. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
2026-03-21Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
NHTSA ODI 11726030
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Wipers stopped working an it’s not showing an active recall but research shows this model does have wiper blade motor recalls

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2015 GMC Acadia?

Owners named Airbags most often — 100 of 239 reports (42%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2015 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2015 GMC Acadia?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources