Last updated: 2026-10-10
GMC Acadia Reliability by Year
GMC Acadia shoppers should aim for the 2024 and steer clear of the 2020 and 2023, with the Park fault the issue to check on any year.
GMC Acadia Reliability Overview
Park-recognition faults are the main worry on a used Acadia: the shifter leaves a "Shift to Park" message on, and some cars have rolled after the driver got out. Reliability is good and close to SUV average, but repairs run $734 a year against $573 for midsize SUVs. Favor the 2024 and watch the 2020 and 2023.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2024–2023).
Best & Worst GMC Acadia Years
Best GMC Acadia Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has no federal recalls on record, while the 2020 has six and the 2023 has four. Its complaints lean toward brake squeal, blank screens and fluid leaks, not the repeated transmission failures and stalling seen in the weaker years. It has also been on the road long enough to judge. Check the brakes and hoses before buying.
GMC Acadia Years to Avoid
Transmission trouble leads the complaints. The 9-speed shudders or bucks at steady speeds, sometimes by 15000 miles, and some owners report complete failure at roughly 74,000 to 80,000 miles. Steering assist warnings with a cold temperature gauge and no air conditioning are also common. Federal records list six recalls.
GMC Acadia Reliability Score Trend
GMC Acadia reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 73/100 compared to 66/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 GMC Acadia
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Has no complaints or recalls on file yet, a 5-star crash rating, and estimated repair costs above the class average.
2025 GMC Acadia
0 recalls · 51 complaints
Rates good and sits among the stronger Acadia years, but brake master cylinder trouble accounts for nearly half of its 51 owner complaints.
2024 GMC Acadia
0 recalls · 51 complaints
Best of the eight scored Acadia years and free of recalls, though early engine seizures and brake complaints still appear in owner reports.
2023 GMC Acadia
4 recalls · 37 complaints
Among the weaker Acadia years, with four recalls and complaints of stalling and a stuck shifter. The 2024 rates better and has no recalls.
2022 GMC Acadia
3 recalls · 44 complaints
Middle of the pack among Acadia years, with cooling faults and stalling leading complaints and 3 recalls, versus 2021's larger complaint count and 2023's four recalls.
2021 GMC Acadia
2 recalls · 134 complaints
A middle-of-the-pack Acadia year, with fuel pump module stalling as the main complaint and two federal recalls.
2020 GMC Acadia
6 recalls · 84 complaints
The weakest of the eight scored Acadia years, with six recalls and recurring transmission shudder and steering assist faults.
2018 GMC Acadia
2 recalls · 369 complaints
Mid-ranked among Acadia years, with a "Shift to Park" fault that often begins between 12,000 and 48,000 miles and sometimes returns after repair.
Found Your GMC Acadia? Check Its History
Service brakes (24) problems come up most in GMC Acadia owner complaints, and 17 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
GMC Acadia Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3/5
Annual Repair Cost
$734
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
19%
$161 above the midsize SUVs average of $573/yr.
Ranked #23 of 26 among midsize SUVs.
GMC Acadia Resale Value
The GMC Acadia is estimated to retain about 57.7% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 57.7%
- Depreciation
- 42.3%
- Listings Analyzed
- 235
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore GMC Acadia depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comGMC Acadia Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare GMC Acadia With Similar SUVs
The GMC Acadia competes with other midsize suvs such as Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander.
Acadia vs Chevrolet Traverse
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Acadia vs Ford Explorer
9 years tracked · 2694 complaints
Acadia vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
Acadia vs Honda Pilot
9 years tracked · 2382 complaints
Acadia vs Kia Telluride
6 years tracked · 1600 complaints
More GMC Acadia comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best GMC Acadia year to buy used?
- The 2024 is the site's pick. It has no federal recalls and has been on the road long enough to judge. The 2025 also rates well, but it is too new to favor. Buyers of a 2024 should expect complaints about brake squeal, blank screens and fluid leaks.
- Is the GMC Acadia reliable?
- Yes, overall reliability is good, and it sits close to average among SUVs on the site. Results vary by year. The 2020 and 2023 are well below the model's own average, while the 2024 holds up better. The Park fault is the main recurring concern across years.
- What are the most common GMC Acadia problems?
- Power train complaints lead, mostly the car failing to recognize Park. Electrical faults come next, including that same "Shift to Park" message and engine shutoffs. Then come service brakes, especially a parking brake that locks or won't release, and steering assist warnings that appear without notice.
- How much does it cost to repair a GMC Acadia?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $734. That is above the $573 average for midsize SUVs. Expect to pay more than you would for a typical rival, especially on shifter, electrical and steering module work.
- What does the "Shift to Park" message on a GMC Acadia mean?
- It points to the most common complaint in owner filings: the car fails to recognize Park. The chime stays on, the car won't shut off or lock, and the battery drains. Some cars rolled after the driver left, and shifter repairs often don't hold.
How we score the GMC Acadia
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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