Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Hyundai Palisade?

Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Hyundai Palisade?

The Hyundai Palisade has more recalls (33) compared to the GMC Acadia (17). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Acadia or the Hyundai Palisade?

The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 1908 for the Hyundai Palisade. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Acadia or the Hyundai Palisade?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Palisade is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

GMC Acadia

Good

Hyundai Palisade

Good

Choosing between the GMC Acadia and the Hyundai Palisade? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The GMC Acadia currently leads with an average score of 70/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Acadia and Hyundai Palisade Generations Compare?

As of April 2026, the Hyundai Palisade is in its second generation, which started with the 2024 model year. This generation is relatively new, and while it benefits from contemporary design and technology, first-year models can sometimes have teething issues. Meanwhile, the GMC Acadia is in its third generation, which began in 2024. The Acadia's previous generation lasted from 2017 to 2023 and saw several updates, suggesting a more refined platform over time. Generally, vehicles later in their generation cycles, like the second-generation Acadia before its redesign, tend to have fewer reliability issues as manufacturers address earlier model-year problems.

Verdict

The GMC Acadia is more reliable than the Hyundai Palisade, scoring 70/100 vs 65/100.

The GMC Acadia edges out the Hyundai Palisade in reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 69/100 compared to the Palisade's 63/100. The Acadia also has a lower recall count with 17 recalls over eight years, while the Palisade has 33 over seven years. Although the Acadia's estimated annual repair cost is higher at $734 versus the Palisade's $573, the Palisade's higher complaint rate of 31.7 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Acadia's unnormalized 770 complaints, indicates more frequent issues. Key problem areas differ slightly, with the Palisade facing more complaints in brakes and seat belts, whereas the Acadia deals with powertrain and electrical system concerns.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Palisade costs $161 less per year to repair
2GMC Acadia has 16 fewer total recalls
3GMC Acadia scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2GMC Acadia

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1Hyundai Palisade

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Palisade
Reliability Score	70/100	65/100
Years Tracked	8	7
Total Recalls	17	33
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	770	1908
Annual Repair Cost	$734/yr	$573/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.4/yr
Year Wins	7	0

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Acadia and Hyundai Palisade?

The Hyundai Palisade and GMC Acadia exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Palisade experiencing a higher volume of overall complaints at 1,908 compared to the Acadia's 770. The Palisade's most significant issues are with the service brakes (326 complaints, 16 crash-linked) and seat belts (234 complaints, 1 crash-linked), indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Acadia has a concentration of complaints in the power train (200 complaints, 4 crash-linked) and electrical system (139 complaints, 4 crash-linked), with a notably higher proportion of crash-linked air bag issues at five incidents. While both models share issues in categories like the electrical system and service brakes, the Palisade's brake complaints and the Acadia's air bag concerns stand out as specific areas of focus for each vehicle.

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Palisade
SERVICE BRAKES	70	326
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	106	200
POWER TRAIN	200	99
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	139	125
SEAT BELTS	9	234
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2	214
SUSPENSION	4	136
ENGINE	37	101
STEERING	55	66
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7	22
STRUCTURE	2	23
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	23	—
AIR BAGS	12	10
VISIBILITY	—	15
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	8	4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	6	—
SEATS	3	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2	4
FUEL SYSTEM	4	—
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	4	—
LANE DEPARTURE	2	—

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Acadia or Hyundai Palisade?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Hyundai Palisade has an annual repair cost of $573, while the GMC Acadia costs $734 annually. This translates to a $161 difference per year, amounting to $805 over five years. Both vehicles have a repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year, indicating similar reliability in terms of how often they might need attention. However, the GMC Acadia carries a 19% risk of major repairs, a significant factor that can lead to unexpected expenses, while the Palisade's major repair risk is not specified, suggesting potentially lower risk. For cost-conscious buyers, the Hyundai Palisade offers better value with lower annual costs and potentially fewer major repair concerns.

How Does GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Palisade	Edge
2026	76/1000R / 0C	72/1002R / 23C	GMC Acadia
2025	76/1000R / 51C	70/1003R / 139C	GMC Acadia
2024	76/1000R / 51C	63/1005R / 304C	GMC Acadia
2023	64/1004R / 37C	62/1005R / 326C	GMC Acadia
2022	66/1003R / 44C	65/1005R / 241C	GMC Acadia
2021	68/1002R / 134C	61/1006R / 354C	GMC Acadia
2020	62/1006R / 84C	59/1007R / 521C	GMC Acadia

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 GMC Acadia scored 76/100 and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Acadia vs the Hyundai Palisade?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the GMC Acadia might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 69/100 and only 17 total recalls, it presents a more dependable option compared to the Hyundai Palisade. However, be aware of the Acadia's 19% major repair risk and higher estimated annual repair cost of $734. It's a solid pick if you can manage the potential for significant repairs and value peace of mind regarding recalls and complaints, which stand at 770 total. On the other hand, if minimizing annual repair costs is crucial, consider the Hyundai Palisade. With an estimated annual repair cost of $573 and a repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, it offers budget-friendly maintenance. However, its lower reliability score of 63/100 and 33 total recalls, particularly in areas like service brakes and seat belts, may require more attention. Choose the Palisade if cost-effectiveness in daily upkeep is your main concern, even with the potential for more frequent minor issues.

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade: Common Questions

Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Hyundai Palisade?: Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Hyundai Palisade?: The Hyundai Palisade has more recalls (33) compared to the GMC Acadia (17). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Acadia or the Hyundai Palisade?: The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 1908 for the Hyundai Palisade. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Acadia or the Hyundai Palisade?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Palisade is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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