2018 GMC Acadia Problems: Transmission / driveline (391 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2018 GMC Acadia is Transmission / driveline (36% of 391 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 391 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2018 GMC Acadia?

139 of 391 filings named Transmission / driveline (36% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (57 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2017 has 696 reports on file; this year has 391. 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 2018 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 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  4. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. 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: Transmission / driveline 139 complaints · 35.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 8
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 12
  • 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 Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 139 of 391 owner complaints (35.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 139 complaints, 35.6% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 crash reports 139 · 35.6% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 57 complaints, 14.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 57 · 14.6% Steering (STEERING): 15 complaints, 3.8% of reports Steering (STEERING) 2 crash reports 15 · 3.8% Engine (ENGINE): 12 complaints, 3.1% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 crash reports 12 · 3.1% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 12 complaints, 3.1% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 12 · 3.1% Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE): 6 complaints, 1.5% of reports Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 6 · 1.5% Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION): 5 complaints, 1.3% of reports Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 5 · 1.3% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 1.3% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 5 · 1.3% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 4 complaints, 1.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 4 · 1.0% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 149 complaints, 38.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 149 · 38.1% 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)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 139 35.6% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 57 14.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 15 3.8% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 12 3.1% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 12 3.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 6 1.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 5 1.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 5 1.3% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 4 1.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 149 38.1% 0 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 2018; the first recall shown was reported in Aug 2017. 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2018-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q3: 29 owner reports 29 2019-Q4: 42 owner reports 42 2020-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2020-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2020-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2020-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2021-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2022-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2022-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2022-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2023-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2023-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2023-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2024-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2024-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2024-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2024-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2025-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2025-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2025-Q3: 20 owner reports 20 2025-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2026-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2026-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2026-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 Owner reports Aug 2017 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 17V516000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V516000 Recall campaign 18V358000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V358000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 4
2018-Q4 Owner reports 3
2019-Q1 Owner reports 4
2019-Q2 Owner reports 9
2019-Q3 Owner reports 29
2019-Q4 Owner reports 42
2020-Q1 Owner reports 15
2020-Q2 Owner reports 14
2020-Q3 Owner reports 24
2020-Q4 Owner reports 8
2021-Q1 Owner reports 9
2021-Q2 Owner reports 9
2021-Q3 Owner reports 6
2021-Q4 Owner reports 5
2022-Q1 Owner reports 9
2022-Q2 Owner reports 9
2022-Q3 Owner reports 10
2022-Q4 Owner reports 2
2023-Q1 Owner reports 10
2023-Q2 Owner reports 8
2023-Q3 Owner reports 4
2023-Q4 Owner reports 8
2024-Q1 Owner reports 7
2024-Q2 Owner reports 11
2024-Q3 Owner reports 14
2024-Q4 Owner reports 7
2025-Q1 Owner reports 19
2025-Q2 Owner reports 18
2025-Q3 Owner reports 20
2025-Q4 Owner reports 17
2026-Q1 Owner reports 13
2026-Q2 Owner reports 14
2026-Q3 Owner reports 8
Recall campaign 1 17V516000
Recall campaign 1 18V358000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

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

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline and Fuel system.

  1. Recall campaign 17V516000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 18V358000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
    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 391 complaints · page 1 of 16
2026-08-31Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11760899
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I’m getting a shift to park on my dash after it’s already in park. This causes the break to get stuck when driving.
2026-08-31SEAT BELTS
NHTSA ODI 11760896
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I am unknown of what the issue is with the seatbelts on all seats will not properly lock.
2026-08-10Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11755898
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The gear shifter was moved back and forth, then shifted into park (P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the gear shifter was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the gear shifter, switch, and harness were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
2026-07-21Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11751749
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after parking and then attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message " Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be parked and turned off successfully after various attempts, which included restarting the vehicle and engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
2026-07-09Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11749432
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While driving the temperature gauge drops from normal to cold , the dash displays " steering assist reduced" and the fan is very loud . My mechanic said the thermostat and or sensor needs to be replaced . When he resets with the reader its good for about a week and temperature gauge is normal. After seven days it repeats I only have 40,000 miles on the vehicle and its a 1,400 dollar job. I believe this should be a recall because i have seen a lot of the same complaints in this forum and what about the people who have the same problem but don't complain ?
2026-07-07Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11748910
CrashFireInjuryDeath
When I’m driving on the highway, I get a message on my dashboard saying steering assist reduced, drive with care. I have taken to the GMC dealership and they will not cover this repair even though it would be covered for 2021 GMC. When this happens, my car makes a loud noise and my steering wheel does not feel right. I do not feel safe.
2026-07-03Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11748238
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Gear shifter is not registering that the vehicle is in park. Because of this issue I have to sit in the vehicle for up to 15 mins trying to get it to register that it is in fact in park and can turn off. If I didn't take the time to do this, it would kill my battery. Unfortunately with the heat index, the vehicle gets hot very quickly and im now worried about getting hot stroke trying to get it to register it is park. This is a known issue with the vehicle that has an active recall for other vin numbers with the same issue.
2026-07-02Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11748054
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Hesitants and Shudders when shifting into 2nd gear.
2026-06-12Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11743789
CrashFireInjuryDeath
this is the second time I am having to replace gear shift with under 160000 miles. Turn the car off and it tells me the car is not in park when it is. It can not tell what gear it is in or when. AGAIN. This is the second repair
2026-06-08Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11742706
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Shift to park Malfunction again, 4 th time!! 1000$ to fix is ridiculous

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2018 GMC Acadia?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 139 of 391 reports (36%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2018 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline and Fuel system. 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 2018 GMC Acadia?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. 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