2011 Gmc ACADIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
269 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
68,694 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 210 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 269 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 65 | 24.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 7.4% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 64 |
| Engine | 52 |
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Exterior Lighting | 37 |
| Power Train | 30 |
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
Steering: 64; Engine: 52; Electrical System: 47; Exterior Lighting: 37; Power Train: 30; Air Bags: 19; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 16; Unknown Or Other: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 38 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 60 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 40 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 38; 50,000 to 74,999: 60; 75,000 to 99,999: 40; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 8
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (60). 59 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 47 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 14; 2014: 47; 2015: 46; 2016: 34; 2017: 24; 2018: 24; 2019: 16; 2020: 22; 2021: 9; 2022: 8; 2023: 6; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 65 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 26 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10536483 · 2013-08-21 (August 21, 2013)
IN WET / RAINY CONDITIONS, POWER STEERING FAILS AS BELT GETS WET AND LOOSES ALL TRACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARYING SPEEDS AND HAS TWICE ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AS WE WERE NEGOTIATING TURNS. VARIOUS ONLINE AUTO FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GMC ACADIA. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE? DEALER STATES THERE IS NO FIX. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555260 · 2013-12-09 (December 9, 2013)
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COMING OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE STEERING. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LIKE TRYING TO PULL ON DEAD WEIGHT TO GET IT TO TURN. THIS CONTINUED AND SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS I SLOWED THE CAR TO A STOP. UPON DRIVING AGAIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, POWER STEERING RETURNED FOR 10 MILES OF DRIVING ON THE WAY BACK TO MY HOME, AND THEN FAILED AGAIN. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471571 · 2012-08-20 (August 20, 2012)
MY 2011 GMC ACADIA (DENALI) HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES (AND LIKELY AN UPCOMING 4TH) DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW (AND REAR HATCH) WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPLACED THE DOOR MODULE AND REPROGRAMMED IT. THE NEXT TIME, THEY REPLACED BOTH THE MALE AND FEMALE TERMINALS IN THE CONNECTOR AND APPLIED SOME GREASE. NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY DID THE THIRD TIME. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ALTHOUGH AFTER 24 HOURS IT WAS FINE. I UNDERSTAND GM CURRENTLY HAS A RE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10471571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10480894 · 2012-10-17 (October 17, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED, SHE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL BEING EMITTED FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE LUGGAGE RACK WAS ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHICH REACHED THE ELECTRONICS THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. AS A RESULT, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, INCLUDING THE ONSTAR SYSTEM AND THE RADIO, FAILED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365441 · 2010-11-12 (November 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY A DELAYED RESPONSE OF SEVERAL SECONDS. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DELAYED RESPONSE WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10405299 · 2011-06-06 (June 6, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE FOUR AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD UNLOCK WITHOUT INTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THE DOORS OPERATED NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE SILVER AND CHROME TRIM AROUND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, AND CONSOLE AREA WOULD OBSTRUCT THE VISION WHEN SUNLIGHT MADE CONTACT WITH IT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10405299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10519820 · 2013-06-14 (June 14, 2013)
DRIVING 40MPH, ACCELERATED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO PASS. REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE PEDAL MOVING TO THE FLOOR. AFTER REPEATEDLY STOMPING THE BRAKE AND DEPRESSING THE "CANCEL CRUISE" CONTROL BUTTON, I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3.5 HOURS INTO A 9 HOUR TRIP, SO THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. I WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THE CONDITION 4 TIMES. TWICE WITH THE CRUISE ON BUT DISENGAGED AND TWICE WITH THE CRUISE TURNED OFF. I DISCOVER…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10652216 · 2014-11-03 (November 3, 2014)
I'M THE 2ND OWNER AND SO FAR I'VE HAD TO HAVE A MOTOR MOUNT & 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED. THE AC STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CONTROLS NOT WORKING & THEN THE AC COMPLETELY BROKE AND LEAKED ALL THE REFRIGERANT WHICH MADE A HUGE MESS. THERE'S A HORRIBLE OIL LEAK THAT CAN'T SEEM TO BE STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDEL MAKES A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. AND NOW THERE IS SOME STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH, UNCERTAIN IF IT'S THE RADIO, CD PLAYER OR AC/HEAT. ALL THESE PROBLEMS AT UNDER 80,000 MILES!!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 79,880 miles reported. Look up ODI 10652216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503191 · 2013-03-15 (March 15, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563349 · 2014-02-07 (February 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRACK, AND THE ENGINE POWER LOW WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10640844 · 2014-10-02 (October 2, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON FUEL DUE TO AN INACCURATE DISPLAY ON THE FUEL GAUGE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10640844 at NHTSA ↗