KnownCarProblems2016 GMC Acadia Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Acadia, most often about the air bags (55% of complaints, typically around 130,000 miles). It is 12th of 20 Acadia model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2016 GMC Acadia problems
Air bags
130 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that when she had placed the vehicle in reverse (r), and was applying the accelerator pedal, all of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into her neighbor's house. The contact stated that she was rendered…
Transmission is slipping brakes / sometimes hydraulics not working properly side and back sensors not working at all , malfunctioning of electrical components, while driving, all electronics inside vehicle went blank, anti theft system locked up, went to shut off car, will not start after the failed, oil consumption…
Steering
26 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. After the failure, the contact noticed multiple unknown warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but was…
My 2016 GMC Acadia was brought in for a basic car inspection. The car has 54,000 miles. I was told it failed inspection due to the leaking of steering fluid. I needed a new gear assembly. The car had no issues prior to this and I take the car regularly to GMC. Fortunately, I did not get into an accident, but I drive…
Electrical
25 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
Side blind spot detection modules not working. This creates a safety hazard in general, but causes an electrical short internally and causes other electrucal parts to malfunction such as: air bags ignition blinkers rear back up camera front crash detection these are all major safety issues that happen on the road, in…
My key is stuck in the ignition and will not release on my 2016 GMC Acadia. The battery had to be replaced because it was completely draining my electrical system. It has been determined that my car is not recognizing it is in park to release the key. The floor shifter needs to be replaced according to my GMC…
Transmission
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
The traction warning suddenly comes on then the stability service warning jumps on....automatically lowering my speed while I'm on the freeway driving. When I pull over and turn the car off then turn it back on...the light goes away. This happened several times. Dealership can not find anything wrong. It happens when…
The car started using more gas when the check engine light came on the dealer said it was the torque converter and it is locking up.it could fail when driven
Other or unspecified
20 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles.
Air conditioning hose rubbed/melted from being too close to the engine frame. Had it replaced in 2019 by dealership. Now it is happening again in 2021 and dealership says the bracket for the engine needs tightened so it doesnât keep occurring. It will cost over $2000 to get this fixed again. Air blows hot air in rear…
My key is stuck in the ignition and will not release on my 2016 GMC Acadia. The battery had to be replaced because it was completely draining my electrical system. It has been determined that my car is not recognizing it is in park to release the key. The floor shifter needs to be replaced according to my GMC…
Engine
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles.
Ac makes noise under hood and does not get cold. Mechanic said AC very low and rear evaporator is leaking. Vehicle only has 31300 miles. Checked online and others have had the same issue with the Acadia.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle began to vibrate abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light flashed on and off and the service stabila-trac warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the traction control…
Driver assistance
10 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: blind spot detection, warning, warnings.
I have had the "side detection system" fail twice in 2 years. I see there is an open recall (n172097060) for this issue but this does not come up saying my vehicle is affected when I search the VIN. I believe there is more vehicles included than the 131,652 they is claimed in this report.
I have a 2016 GMC Acadia denali that has a "service side detection" error on the dic. Called in the GMC and there is a special coverage adjustment #n172097060 on this issue. It is supposed to be valid for 6 years / 80,000 miles. My Acadia has 41,000 on it. When GMC entered my VIN, it doesn't show up as being covered??…
Stability control
5 complaints · 2%The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle began to vibrate abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light flashed on and off and the service stabila-trac warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the traction control…
Car would not start no inter lights dead towed to dealer they fixed it once I had back for one day it happened agin needs a side dentition module I have been waiting for over 5 weeks and nothing no parts
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 GMC Acadia recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Gm began mailing final owner letters february 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through december 2025. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n232404980.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2014-2017 buick enclave, chevrolet traverse, and gmc acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
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.
Seats
Risk: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on january 29, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's number for this recall is 21930.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and buick enclave vehicles manufactured november 6, 2015, to november 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, gm will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on september 30, 2015. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 15780.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and buick enclave vehicles manufactured august 18, 2015 to september 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
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.
Questions about the 2016 GMC Acadia
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Acadia?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (130 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles); steering (26 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles); electrical (25 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Acadia have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 10, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the GMC Acadia?
- It is 12th of 20 Acadia model years by number of complaints, with 236 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.