KnownCarProblems2012 GMC Acadia Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Acadia, most often about the steering (16% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is 9th of 20 Acadia model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 GMC Acadia problems
Steering
46 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.
Difficulty in turning, along with a grinding noise when turning right. Vehicle mileage was 73,113. Taken to GMC dealer in brighton, mi on nov. 14, 2014 and power steering pump and rack and pinion were replaced for $2,100.00. The car was then driven approx. 650 miles. The next morning, when backing out of drive, the…
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel began to make a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle steered to the left without warning. The failure was consistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Transmission
43 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 98,500 miles.
While driving at highway speeds last week my 2012 AWD Acadia having a major malfunction. 1. While driving, door locks engage/disengage 2. Trans appears to slip into neutral (high rev/ no power) 3. On the dashboard digital readout the transmission "blinked" into p from d (while driving) 4. Traction control…
When it is parked and idling it sounds like it wants to stall. When I am driving it it shifts hard and the transmission starts slipping. I took it to a reputable mechanic for an assessment of the problem and he said his computer said that it was the traction control module in the transmission and that it would cost…
Body and structure
42 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. While the passenger attempted to open the power liftgate, it started to close unexpectedly on the passenger. The contact had to physically lift the liftgate off of the passenger. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to chevrolet cadillac buick GMC (18475 5th ave, jamestown…
The vehicle was in motion near an intersection and approaching the light to turn. ( near airport in raleigh nc) the front and side airbags failed to deploy during the crash. The other vehicle has been declared total loss and mine has significant damage and could be classified as total loss. There are personal…
Electrical
41 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
We bought this used car from a dealer drove it about 4 to 5 months and the left signal light failed, so we changed it worked for one day and then went dead again. Turning left from my street the steering was really hard and had problems turning left but I did finally on another occasion the same thing happened.…
On 2/6/20 after getting into my vehicle and turning on the ignition vehicle wouldn't start so the same day I had my vehicle towed to a certified dealer in union. At the dealer they first stated the ground wire to starter was chewed up so they replaced the starter and then a few hours later they stated no comunication…
Other or unspecified
39 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
Vehicle shudders and engine surges if engine rpms drop under 22oo. Car does not drive smoothly. Has tripped into "limp home mode" while driving on 4 lane highway at 60mph. Vehicle had to be towed. Dealer "said there was not error code to repair", have taken it in on 4 different occasions with a repair to fuel relay…
When driving my car and holding the speed at 50-60mph the RPM begin to fluctuate and the car shudders. Also when going up hills it does them same thing and and feels as if it has a harder time shifting.my car only has 97944 miles on it.
Engine
37 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The engine misses and has severe carbon buildup on the valves. The intake boot and intake manifold are covered in oil residue from the breather tube for the motor. The transmission started having issues at 100k. It hesitates, shutters, and fails to change gears while driving at highway speeds. The transmissions are a…
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that three days after the vehicle was purchased, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kindle auto plaza ford (523 stone harbor blvd, cape may court…
Air bags
33 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles.
Air bag sensor warning light came on, carried it to fowler buick GMC in august, 2015, system was reset. 2 weeks later, light came back on, went back to dealer, had air bag sensors replaced in drivers seat and passenger seat, which cost $1310.00. 2 weeks later warning light comes on and goes off several times when…
I was driving in my neighborhood when my car started making a loud noise as I turned the wheel to the right. I turned onto my street and my car started smoking, smelled like something was burning, and the power steering went out. Luckily I was near my home. I looked underneath the vehicle and fluid was spraying out…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
Today with the fuel gauge showing 1/2 tank full, my Acadia ran out of gas and I was forced to the side of the road. I have seen recalls for other year models for this exact problem, but the year my Acadia is does not matter to gm. This is a very serious problem that could cause a severe accident. Gm's recall number is…
Automobile stalled while driving and would not start. Service completed at chevrolet dealership on june 12 to replace fuel pump control module, which was a recalled part on GMC Acadia's. I called gm and was informed my VIN was not part of recall and was told I would be called back with an explanation why. I never…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 GMC Acadia recalls
Air bags: critical fasteners
Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: hatchback/liftgate
Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 re
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: linkages
Risk: If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 20, 2012.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Outboard front seat belt anchor cable failure
Summary
On august 31, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened engineering analysis (ea) ea20002, as an upgrade of recall query (rq) rq19003. This investigation, related to recall 14v-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by general motors (gm). The subject vehicles included model year (my) 2009 through 2014 gmc acadia, buick enclave, and chevrolet traverse suvs as well as my 2009 through 2010 saturn outlook suvs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14v-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million v
Seat belt anchor cable failure
Summary
On may 19, 2014, general motors llc (gm) notified the office of defects investigation (odi) that it would conduct safety recall 14v266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (my) 2009-2010 saturn outlook, 2009-2014 buick enclave, gmc acadia and chevrolet traverse (lambda platform) vehicles.the remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. Odi has subsequently received four (4) vehicle owners questionnaires (voq) reportin
Questions about the 2012 GMC Acadia
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Acadia?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (46 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); transmission (43 complaints, typically around 98,500 miles); body and structure (42 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Acadia have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 8, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the GMC Acadia?
- It is 9th of 20 Acadia model years by number of complaints, with 296 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.