Last updated: 2026-10-10

GMC Acadia

GMC Acadia Years to Avoid

8 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 70/100

Skip the 2020 and 2023 model years. The 2020 has a 9-speed transmission that shudders and can fail outright. The 2023 has sudden stalling and shutdowns. The 2024 is the year to buy, with no federal recalls on record and a longer track record than newer years.

Verdict

Avoid
2020 62/1002023 64/100
Buy
2024 76/100
Model average
70/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

GMC Acadia Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the GMC Acadia average of 70/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202062/100Good684Power Train (17)
2202364/100Good437Power Train (8)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

62
GoodReliability score: 62 out of 100, rated Good

2020 GMC Acadia

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.

6 recalls84 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Power Train (17), Electrical System (17), Steering (12), Unknown Or Other (6), Engine (5), Fuel Propulsion System (4)

View full 2020reliability report →
64
GoodReliability score: 64 out of 100, rated Good

2023 GMC Acadia

Sudden shutdowns define this year. Owners report stalling or power loss while driving, warning lights across the cluster, and a shifter that refuses Park or Neutral. Dealers often cannot duplicate the fault. One parked vehicle caught fire at about 13,000 miles. Federal records list four recalls, and owners mention back-ordered parts.

4 recalls37 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Power Train (8), Electrical System (8), Unknown Or Other (4), Steering (3), Engine (3), Visibility Wiper (2)

View full 2023reliability report →

What Are Common GMC Acadia Problems?

POWER TRAIN

200 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2020, 2021

2018: The car fails to recognize Park, the most common complaint by far.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

139 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2021, 2020

2018: "Shift to Park" faults lead this category too.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

106 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2025, 2022

2018: Nearly every report here is the same "Shift to Park" fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

70 complaints

Most reported in 2025, 2024, 2021

2025: Warning messages for Service Brake Assist and Service ESC appear at startup or while driving, often with ABS, traction control, and a red BRAKE light.

STEERING

55 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2021, 2020

2018: A "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive with Care" warning appears without notice, and the wheel turns heavy and stiff.

ENGINE

37 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2018, 2024

2021: Thermostat failures lead the list.

Best GMC Acadia Year to Buy Instead

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good

2024 GMC Acadia

The 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.

Score: 76/100 (Good)0 recalls51 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 GMC Acadia has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All GMC Acadia Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which GMC Acadia years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2020 and 2023. Both sit well below the model's own average. The 2020 has transmission shudder and steering assist faults. The 2023 has stalling, sudden shutdowns and a shifter that may refuse Park or Neutral. The 2024 is the better choice.
Which GMC Acadia years have transmission problems?
The 2020 and 2023 stand out. In the 2020, the 9-speed shudders, shifts hard or drops into neutral, and some fail at roughly 74,000 to 80,000 miles. In the 2023, owners report the transmission stuck in Drive, a shudder at 50 to 65 mph, and gear hunting.
Is the 2024 GMC Acadia a safe used buy?
It is the best-supported pick, with no federal recalls on record. It is not trouble free. Complaints cover loud brake squeal, blank screens, and coolant or transmission fluid leaks. Test the brakes and look under the car before you buy.
Are the 2025 and 2026 GMC Acadia good years to buy?
Treat them with caution because they are too new to judge. The 2025 has few complaints, but about half concern the service brakes. The 2026 has none filed, which mostly reflects little time on the road. The 2024 has the longer record.
Is the 2018 GMC Acadia worth buying?
It is not on the avoid list, but it has the most owner complaints of any year, at 369. Power train problems lead, followed by electrical faults, and one fire report is on record. Inspect the shifter and have it checked closely.

How we score every GMC Acadia model year

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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