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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Gmc ACADIA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

296 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

75,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 220 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 45 of 296 complaints (15.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior4916.6%
Transmission and shifting3511.8%
Electrical and battery issues248.1%
Braking behavior206.8%
Engine operation103.4%
Fuel system concerns72.4%

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.

Steering
45
Power Train
43
Electrical System
40
Unknown Or Other
39
Engine
35
Air Bags
33
Structure:Body
24
Fuel/Propulsion System
22
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering45
Power Train43
Electrical System40
Unknown Or Other39
Engine35
Air Bags33
Structure:Body24
Fuel/Propulsion System22

Steering: 45; Power Train: 43; Electrical System: 40; Unknown Or Other: 39; Engine: 35; Air Bags: 33; Structure:Body: 24; Fuel/Propulsion System: 22

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
27
25,000 to 49,999
32
50,000 to 74,999
49
75,000 to 99,999
56
100,000 to 149,999
46
150,000 and above
10
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00027
25,000 to 49,99932
50,000 to 74,99949
75,000 to 99,99956
100,000 to 149,99946
150,000 and above10

Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 56; 100,000 to 149,999: 46; 150,000 and above: 10

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 76 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.

2012
7
2013
6
2014
23
2015
31
2016
39
2017
31
2018
37
2019
38
2020
23
2021
17
2022
5
2023
10
2024
11
2025
12
2026
6
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20127
20136
201423
201531
201639
201731
201837
201938
202023
202117
20225
202310
202411
202512
20266

2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 23; 2015: 31; 2016: 39; 2017: 31; 2018: 37; 2019: 38; 2020: 23; 2021: 17; 2022: 5; 2023: 10; 2024: 11; 2025: 12; 2026: 6

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 35 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 24 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10454168 · 2012-04-04 (April 4, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRIEFLY WHILE SWITCHING LANES. UPON ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE RPM READING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLES COMPUTER NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE THROTTLE GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE HESITATION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NO REPAIR NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454168 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10460530 · 2012-06-04 (June 4, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT AND THE IDLE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEED REDUCED RAPIDLY TO 15 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11000…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460530 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10467751 · 2012-07-26 (July 26, 2012)

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SEAT BELT "LOCKING" MECHANISM IN CARS. WHILE I UNDERSTAND IT WAS MADE FOR LOCKING CARSEATS TIGHTLY INTO PLACE, I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THERE NOT BEING A "RELEASE" OR "DISENGAGE" SYSTEM IN PLACE. YESTERDAY, MY SON WAS ALMOST STRANGLED TO DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS LOCKING MECHANISM. HE PULLED THE SEATBELT OUT FAR ENOUGH SO THAT WHEN HE RELEASED IT, IT STARTED CLICKING (LOCKING) AND THE BELT GOT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK IN THE PROCESS. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I TRIED TO GET THE SEATBELT OFF OF HIS NECK, IT WAS S…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,764 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467751 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10469402 · 2012-08-06 (August 6, 2012)

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER SPEED DECREASES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND ENGINE SPEED DECREASES. AIR CONDITIONER RECIRCULATE BUTTON SPONTANEOUSLY CUTS OFF. REAR AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER SPEED DROPS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND ENGINE SPEED DECREASES AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPS BLOWING DESPITE REAR A/C CONTROL REMAINING IN THE ON POSITION. REAR A/C BUTTON MUST BE TURNED OFF, THEN TURNED BACK ON TO RESTART BLOWER. VOLTAGE METER SHOWS A DROP IN VOLTAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND ENGINE SPEED DECREASES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469402 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10478059 · 2012-10-01 (October 1, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 300. UPDATED 6/13/13 *CN UPDATED 06/17/2013 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478059 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10479610 · 2012-10-10 (October 10, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MIRROR DID NOT ALLOW HIM TO SEE ANYTHING IN THE BLIND SPOTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,100. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN UPDATED 11/27/2012 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479610 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10484802 · 2012-11-15 (November 15, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN WOULD BEAM ON THE CHROME DASHBOARD, THE REFLECTION FROM THE CHROME WOULD CAUSE A BLUR IN THE CONTACT'S VISION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 19,000... UPDATED 12/26/12 *BF

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484802 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10496888 · 2013-02-08 (February 8, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ONSTAR THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY OR MAY DEPLOY ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG CABLES WERE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,519. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 16,519 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496888 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

12V151000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 2012-04-09 (April 9, 2012)

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V118000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V266000 · Seat Belts

Reported: 2014-05-20 (May 20, 2014)

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V415000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate

Reported: 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V246000 · Air Bags:Critical Fasteners

Reported: 2021-04-08 (April 8, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

NHTSA campaign record ↗