2021 Gmc ACADIA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11376090 · 2020-11-24 (November 24, 2020)
WE BOUGHT OUR CAR ON 11/7/2020 ,2 DAYS AFTER STARTING THE MESSAGES APPEAR ON THE SCREEN (SERVICE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM) CAR AND ON MY PHONE, THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN IN MOTION, ON A CITY OR HIGHWAY DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU'RE DRIVING. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD CAUSE THE PROBLEM CAUSE ONLY HAD 2 MILES WHEN TOOK IT OUT FROM THE DEALER. I FEEL THAT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T MOVE TO BE ADJUSTED. WENT TO THE DEALER A WEEK AGO BUT STILL WAITING FOR CALL BACK TO MADE THE REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11376090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11383159 · 2020-12-12 (December 12, 2020)
CAR STEERS TO LEFT,VOLUME DOES NOT WORK AFTER A CONNECTED CALL WHILE DRIVING,SCREEN BLACKS OUT AND NOISE COMING OUT OF LEFT DRIVER DOOR PANEL WHILE CAR IS OFF,ALSO MESSAGE THAT SD CARD WAS REMOVED NO APPS WORKING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11383159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406709 · 2021-04-06 (April 6, 2021)
REAR CAMERA STOPPED WORKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406709 at NHTSA ↗
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 11415501 · 2021-05-07 (May 7, 2021)
VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW MID-MARCH 2021 AND IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS THE REAR BACK-UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER BEING DIAGNOSED.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415501 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 11427297 · 2021-07-31 (July 31, 2021)
As I was driving down Interstate 65 in south Alabama on a drizzling rainy day, the sunroof made a very loud popping noise and then exploded, with shattered glass falling into my SUV. Luckily, I was able to keep my vehicle on the road without swerving and losing control. I closed the sunshade on the sunroof to keep the glass from continuing to fall in and drove home. There was no warning lights nor any indication that something was wrong with the sunroof. When I got home, I called the nearest GMC dealership in Pensacola, Florida to report th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427862 · 2021-08-05 (August 5, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was stuck to the floorboard and the vehicle crashed into the garage wall. No medical attention was received. No police report was filed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to their location to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was awaiting a tow truck and had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approxim…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11427862 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V422000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2021-06-03 (June 3, 2021)
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Consequence: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V709000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2022-09-22 (September 22, 2022)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
NHTSA campaign record ↗