The Used Car Index

2012 GMC Acadia problems

NHTSA lists 296 complaints for the 2012 GMC Acadia, 8 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 15 complaints mention an injury, with 17 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as GMC ACADIA.

At a glance

Complaints
296
With crash
8
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
15
Injuries
17
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,339,355
Investigations
2
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,587

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
STEERING4615.5%
POWER TRAIN4314.5%
STRUCTURE4214.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4113.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3913.2%
ENGINE3511.8%
AIR BAGS3311.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM227.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING217.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL103.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY39
VISIBILITYREARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESFUELING/CHARGING DOOR/HATCH/PORT1
STEERINGSTEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
TIRESTEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE1
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure5221.6%0.75
electrical electronic4518.7%0.75
loss of control3313.7%0.76
restraint or airbag3012.4%0.90
structural or corrosion2912.0%0.70
visibility or lighting218.7%0.84
fluid or fuel leak125.0%0.80
noise or comfort104.1%0.76
fire or overheating72.9%0.73
unclear20.8%0.98
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate14761.0%0.81
low6225.7%0.71
high3012.4%0.85
critical10.4%0.56
none10.4%0.76

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 241 tagged complaints of 296 complaints (81.4%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

21V246000

Date: 2021-04-08. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V415000

Date: 2015-06-30. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. Th (excerpt)

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn custome (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V266000

Date: 2014-05-20. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Defect: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, t (excerpt)

Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011- (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V118000

Date: 2014-03-17. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash. (excerpt)

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant. (excerpt)

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V151000

Date: 2012-04-09. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERM (excerpt)

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. (excerpt)

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 0 open.

EA20002

Opened: 2020-08-31. Closed: 2024-08-30.

Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject

Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Linked campaign numbers: 21V245.

RQ19003

Opened: 2019-05-28. Closed: 2020-08-31.

Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lam

Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

1,587 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT682
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM300
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING188
ENGINE129
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY103
POWER TRAIN102
WHEELS81
TIRES63

11037253

Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030974

Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

11030091

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030092

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

11027601

Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11025755

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If

11023091

Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

11022084

Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11021792

Date: 2025-08-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/o

11019693

Date: 2025-06-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
ACADIA296

Same model, other years

All model years | All GMC models

Other GMC models, 2012

Sources

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