2021 Gmc ACADIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
147 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
27,792 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 147 complaints (24.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 16.3% |
| Steering behavior | 24 | 16.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 23 | 15.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 7.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 36 |
| Engine | 29 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
Electrical System: 36; Engine: 29; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23; Unknown Or Other: 20; Service Brakes: 18; Power Train: 16; Steering: 16; Air Bags: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 120 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 27 |
2020: 2; 2021: 14; 2022: 19; 2023: 17; 2024: 25; 2025: 43; 2026: 27
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 23 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 11413574 · 2021-04-23 (April 23, 2021)
WIFE WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON US287 BETWEEN VERNON, TX AND WICHITA FALLS, TX IN A 75MPH SPEED ZONE. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON SLOWED AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO CAUSE HER TO BEND FORWARD AT THE WAIST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE SPEED BECAME ERRATIC AND SHE SLOWED TO 25 WHILE MOVING ONTO THE SHOULDER. COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD TRAFFIC NOT BEEN UNUSUALLY LIGHT. I AM ENCLOSING GM SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED IN JULY OF 2020 (I FOUND IT POSTED ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE) REGARDING THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,063 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418857 · 2021-05-28 (May 28, 2021)
Was on the interstate driving when the emergency brake engaged causing the car skid the tires and almost completely coming to a stop in heavy traffic. Shortly after this the transmission had issues which caused the car to be undrivable and had to be towed. The dealership had the car for over a month and replaced the TCM. There were no other warnings prior to this.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441816 · 2021-11-27 (November 27, 2021)
Electronic parking brake is setting itself without you doing it even when parked on a completely flat surface. Voice activated assist is going off while driving down the road without you hitting the steering wheel button. 1st dealer I took the car to refused to even address issue because the car didn’t throw a code even though the parking break issue happened while in their parking lot. 2nd dealer at this point has had the car for a total of 16 days. They tried to tell me the parking break was normal, manager at actual dealership told me it de…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452757 · 2022-02-18 (February 18, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia C1. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the parking brake engaged independently. The contact also mentioned having difficulties steering the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and it resumed to normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. No further information was available. The failure milage was unknown.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11482540 · 2022-09-02 (September 2, 2022)
Make a left turn engine stopped. Fuel Pump Driver Module Failure. Electrical Short in module. Several fuses also blown. All dash warming lights stayed on. Vehicle had to be towed from middle of roadway. Battery also had to be replaced. Vehicle mileage 8100 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11482540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493628 · 2022-11-15 (November 15, 2022)
WAS DRIVING AND VEHICLE ENGINE DEAD STOPPED WITH OUT WARNING. COULD NOT GET STARTED AND HAD TO CALL A WRECKER TO TOW TO GMC DEALERSHIP. WERE TOLD IT WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS. THEY HAD A PART IN STOCK TO REPAIR IT. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE “DRIVERS FUEL PUMP MODULE” .WAS SURPRISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY INCIDENT DURING RUSH HOUR ON THE ROADS IN MY AREA. WHILE RESEARCHING FOUND A RECALL ON FULL SIZE GMC 2021 SUVS FROM LAST YEAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 21V739000) ! WHY IS THIS NOT BEING DEA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443935 · 2021-12-15 (December 15, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-60 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced per the service bulletin #PIP5608H; however, the…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11443935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535170 · 2023-07-29 (July 29, 2023)
Car stalled on major roadway. Could not restart of shift to neutral. Car blocked traffic for 3 hours until tow. Faulty fuel control module was the cause. Car was almost hit numerous times by passing traffic.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11535170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538420 · 2023-08-14 (August 14, 2023)
The IPC goes out while driving. GM is aware of this issue in several models they make starting in 2020. They failed to call a recall on the issue and when you take it in to be looked at there is a service bulletin out to have the dealership to do a software update on the IPC to resolve the issues that some customers may be experiencing. This issue costs 189.99 to diagnose the first hour then the dealership spends another 2.5 hours diagnosing the known issue to charge customers for a total of 3.5 hours in repair costs. GM does not assist in anyw…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538420 at NHTSA ↗