2019 GMC Acadia Problems and Recalls (381 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2019 GMC Acadia is Transmission / driveline (34% of 381 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 2026-09-07 381 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2019 GMC Acadia?

128 of 381 filings named Transmission / driveline (34% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (52 reports).

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

The 2018 has 391 reports on file; this year has 381. 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 2019 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. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  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 128 complaints · 33.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 5
  • Fires 2
  • Injuries 2
  • 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 128 of 381 owner complaints (33.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 128 complaints, 33.6% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 128 · 33.6% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 52 complaints, 13.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 52 · 13.7% Engine (ENGINE): 32 complaints, 8.4% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 32 · 8.4% Steering (STEERING): 21 complaints, 5.5% of reports Steering (STEERING) 21 · 5.5% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 9 complaints, 2.4% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 crash reports 9 · 2.4% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 7 complaints, 1.8% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 7 · 1.8% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 5 complaints, 1.3% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 5 · 1.3% Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE): 5 complaints, 1.3% of reports Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 1 crash reports 5 · 1.3% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 5 complaints, 1.3% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 5 · 1.3% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 129 complaints, 33.9% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 129 · 33.9% 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) 128 33.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 52 13.7% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 32 8.4% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 21 5.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 9 2.4% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 7 1.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 5 1.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) 5 1.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 5 1.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 129 33.9% 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 Jan 2019; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2020. 2019-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2020-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2021-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2022-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2022-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2022-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2023-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2023-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2023-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2023-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2024-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2024-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2024-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2024-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2025-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2025-Q3: 36 owner reports 36 2025-Q4: 38 owner reports 38 2026-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2026-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 2026-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 Owner reports Jan 2019 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 20V668000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V668000 Recall campaign 21V115000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V115000
  • Campaign 20V668000 was reported 566 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2019-Q1 Owner reports 2
2019-Q2 Owner reports 2
2019-Q3 Owner reports 2
2019-Q4 Owner reports 3
2020-Q1 Owner reports 6
2020-Q2 Owner reports 5
2020-Q3 Owner reports 3
2020-Q4 Owner reports 5
2021-Q1 Owner reports 5
2021-Q2 Owner reports 7
2021-Q3 Owner reports 4
2021-Q4 Owner reports 7
2022-Q1 Owner reports 8
2022-Q2 Owner reports 5
2022-Q3 Owner reports 6
2022-Q4 Owner reports 10
2023-Q1 Owner reports 20
2023-Q2 Owner reports 20
2023-Q3 Owner reports 16
2023-Q4 Owner reports 11
2024-Q1 Owner reports 15
2024-Q2 Owner reports 20
2024-Q3 Owner reports 23
2024-Q4 Owner reports 16
2025-Q1 Owner reports 11
2025-Q2 Owner reports 18
2025-Q3 Owner reports 36
2025-Q4 Owner reports 38
2026-Q1 Owner reports 21
2026-Q2 Owner reports 24
2026-Q3 Owner reports 12
Recall campaign 1 20V668000
Recall campaign 1 21V115000
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.

  1. Recall campaign 20V668000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 21V115000

    Safety recall 21V115000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
    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 6 of 381 complaints · page 1 of 16
2026-08-18Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11757610
CrashFireInjuryDeath
On XXX at 1:56pm, I took the vehicle to Jiffy Lube service center #810 for the "Quick Oil Change Service" which includes checking and filling the Tranmission/Axle fluid. Per the attached receipt the Transmission/Axle fluid was "OK", and the next service was recommended after 5,000 addtional miles from the then current mileage of 153,317. On the morning o XXX, the car began experiencing issues identical to vehicle recall NHTSA ID Number: 20V668000. The check engine light turned on and the vehicle could maintain proper propulsion. On XXX at 3:25pm EST, I took the vehicle to AutoZone store #01664, whose "FixFinder" computer diagnostic inicated code PO700 "Transmission Control Module Requested MIL Illumination". On XXX, I had the car towed to a private mechanic who inspected the Vehicle and indicated that the transmission had "no fluid" despite having the fluids verified by Jiffy Lube on XXX. The mechanic suggested there may be a GMC service issue that required GMC remediation to due faulty internals which resulted in the transmission fluid leakage and subsequent triggering of the transmission computer module and related propulsion failure. As of today XXX, the vehicle is experiencing the same condition as indicated in vehicle recall NHTSA ID Number: 20V668000, which is creating additonal risk of vehicular accident/crash and vehicle fire in the presence of the ignition source. The milage is now 155,520. I am requesting this vehicle be serviced as part of recall NHTSA ID Number: 20V668000, you can verify from the vehicle registration from the Divison of Motor Vehicles and via CarFax that I purchased this vehicle used, the vehiclee has at least 1 (maybe 2) prior owners. I am requesting the vehicle (VIN [XXX]) receive the mandated recall service which will resolve the afformentioned issues and remove the related risks for myself, my passengers and all other motorists who are sharing the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-08-17Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11757418
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the battery low and steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact's minor children were occupants in the vehicle during the failure. The tow truck assistant arrived. The tow truck driver assisted with restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Firestone; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that a portable diagnostic tester was attached, but no error codes were displayed. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to Firestone, where it was diagnosed with a failed START/STOP module. The contact was informed about Technical Service Bulletin: 21-NA-139. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,126.
2026-08-12Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11756510
CrashFireInjuryDeath
See attached file
2026-08-03Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11754373
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to properly shift gears and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH while driving. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift above third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that there was no transmission fluid inside the torque converter. The vehicle was scanned and displayed an issue with the transmission control module. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,429.
2026-08-03Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11754369
CrashFireInjuryDeath
shifter micro-switch is not working and is available for inspection upon request. Vehicle is not shutting off as it is indicating shift to park. The vehicle unable to shut off can cause issues while parked in the garage still running and worried about causing a fire. Problem diagnosed by private individual but have plans on taking it to dealership. The shift to park indicator issue has been occurring for almost a year and has progressively gotten worse. I have noticed other vehicles with the same make/model/year have had similar issues with known defects that a recall was issued.
2026-07-30Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11753750
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I was at a red light, I went to drive as the light turned green and my car stopped and wouldn’t drive, I could go into neutral to get out of way but anything the car would stop. There is no codes or lights turned on my dash though.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2019 GMC Acadia?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 128 of 381 reports (34%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2019 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline. 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 2019 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