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Engine & cooling

GMC Acadia Denali Engine problems by year

146 complaints filed with NHTSA about the GMC Acadia Denali's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
201754000
201612000
201518110
201441110
201321000

Latest Acadia Denali engine complaints

2013 GMC Acadia DenaliEngine & cooling

I bought a 2013 gmc Acadia with a 3.6l engine and I was driving it home, and the engine locked up on me, and it didn't throw a code or anything, it just shut off and wouldn't start back up, and later I find out that it had an oil leak from somewhere and now I have to have the engine replaced, which is 13k dollars, the vehicle is located at walker Chevrolet in nitro wv, I'm a single dad of 5 children and I can't afford to fix this vehicle at that price, I asked if they could take payments to replace it, and they...

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said not and that they would NOT Release the vehicle back to me until it is paid for, and now I'm stranded with 5 children with no way to go to the store or anything. The engine locked up on me in the middle of the four lane in st albans wv, and I almost got hit by vehicles that were behind me and everything.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11672571
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliTransmission & drivetrainWheels & tiresEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-15 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud blower motor sound while accelerating, before the vehicle lost motive power. The transmission was shifted to neutral(N) and pushed to the side of the roadway. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the transmission clutch had failed, and the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The local dealer was not...

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contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall coverage or warranty coverage on the VIN for the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Tires · EngineNHTSA 11671086
2015 GMC Acadia DenaliEngine & cooling

The engine is not shifting properly, and the vehicle loses speed while driving and hesitates to accelerate. At time, it feels as though the car is not moving at all. This issue has occurred on multiple occasions, affecting both me and my family, and has forced us to pull over because the vehicle could barely move forward. This happed once on the highway and almost caused an accident. Additionally, the check engine light remains on at all times.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11658427
2013 GMC Acadia DenaliElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle was intermittently difficult to start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the alternator, stabilizer, starter, ignition switch, door panel, axle, MAP sensor, canister valve, gas cap, and power master window switch were replaced. The mechanic determined that the...

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failure was related to the fuse box. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the electrical system. The contact used a diagnostic scanner to scan the vehicle but was unable to retrieve any diagnostic trouble codes. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Traction control system · EngineNHTSA 11649804
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Shift to park. Vehicle does not turn off when in park. This recall is in effect on other 2017 Acadias but for some reason ours is not under the recall. Had this issue in 2020 and it was repaired at our cost. It is now doing the same thing.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11643329
2016 GMC Acadia DenaliTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

On about 01/20/2025 my transmission? Auto started to shudder before going into 3rd gear threw 5th. Once in 6th gear at about 55 the auto starts to shudder and turns into a rumble feeling. My auto only has 100650 for miles on it. It has been serviced and have brought it to GM 01/24/25 to ask about it? After talking to service adviser. It would cost me 75.00 for someone to go with me to confirm it is doing it. Then make an appointment for further evaluation. No price given at this time. but did not on paper! Say ...

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That it is most likely torque converter causing the problem? Confirmed It is not under warranty and there was nothing GM could do.i have been to at least 3 other shops in my area and they all say the same thing and price. Which is between 6 to 7 thousand dollars to replace the transmission. They all dosay that when it goes it could make me loose control Due to lockup.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11640167
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliEngine & cooling

Oil is burning through. I have to get an oil change once a month or it goes completely empty. Spoke to multiple macanics now and all tell me that's a defect with the 2017 arcadia. I just bought this in August. I love it and don't want to get rid of it. Please fix this. I can't keep burning through oil like this. It's not safe for my kids and I

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11636499
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliEngine & coolingFuel system

While highway driving, engine suddenly lost power and car could not exceed 5 mph. Was able to get off at next exit and get to a local garage. Mechanic inspected. Bolt connecting high pressure fuel pump to cylinder sheared off leaving bolt body in cylinder, bending fuel pump and caused oil to spray over entire engine compartment. Repair unlikely. Engine will likely need to be replaced. Car has always been maintained. No indication of failure prior to incident.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11634036
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliSteeringEngine & cooling

Within a day of taking possession of the car, September 20, 2024, with odometer reading 76,352 , warning message in instrument cluster appears stating action required "steering assist is reduced, drive with care". Following day, A/C stop working while driving. When park, I can hear radiator fan, running full speed (louder than normal). While driving at night, headlights are not bright, specially the high beam. On September 23, 2024, took it back to dealership I purchased the vehicle. They have the vehicle in the...

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shop to fix the issues. Vehicle was ready for pick up September 27, 2024. September 29, 2024. Message in instrument cluster screen re-appear stating "Action required, steering assist reduced drive with care"; check engine light came on, remote start key not working, A/C stop working again, radiator fan running full speed and loud , Headlights are still not bright, Infotainment screen glitching, will not stay in home button and making clicking sound. Went back to dealership so that they can fix it. Diagnostic code : P0128. They were able to have A/C working when I left the shop. and no messages on the instrument cluster. Following day, I have all the same issues I have before. My appointment to come back in to the shop to fix the thermostat issue I was October 10, 2024, on October 9, additional problems occur on top of the issue I am having. While driving and accelerating multiple lights on the instrument cluster screen appears on top of other issues and car decelerates. The check engine light came on, steering assist reduced drive with care , parking brake, car stability comes on and message stating engine power is reduced. This happened while driving on a highway at night on my way to work. I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership..

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11623544
2015 GMC Acadia DenaliAirbagsEngine & coolingDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

I was curious about recalls because I totaled my 15 Acadia SLT2 and when I hit the impact didn't deploy airbags and I had no idea until after my accident that they were recalled!!! This incident totaled my Acadia caused my face to be slammed into my steering wheel, cutting me in 2 places and shattering my eye glasses. I now have a scar that looks like a 2nd chin from my impact to hitting the steering column! What should I do? I wasn't or hadn't received anything from GMC about this recall until recently and damage has already been done and I'm at a loss of tremendous amounts because my air bags could have saved $300+ glasses and doctors appointments etc...

Filed Incident Air bags · Engine · Lane departureNHTSA 11611112
2016 GMC Acadia DenaliEngine & cooling

While starting to drive. It seems like the transmission goes into 2nd shift and the car jerks a little and I have to press the gas pedal to get it to stop.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11609137
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliAirbagsEngine & cooling

Bought vehicle used/as is from dealer about a month after air bag recall announced in 2023. Found out it is apparently illegal to sell a vehicle with an open recall. Dealer did not disclose the recall and I did not research unfortunately. It's been over a year now since air bag was recalled and still no fix and I live in a very hot state. Should never take this long to fix something so dangerous - FATAL. Lives are possibly at stake!!! Also had to replace temp sensor which cost about $1,000. A/C wasn't working properly. Mechanic said they had to replace the temp sensor. Research shows this is a known issue. Also have had to replace O2 sensors and might have catalytic convertor issue.

Filed Incident Air bags · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11608840
2017 GMC Acadia DenaliElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I keep getting a message for Shift to Park when my car is already parked. My battery keeps draining for no reason even through my battery is good. I could be driving and my truck just shuts off without warning and my battery dies. Then when it shuts off all these other lights comes on. I have to let it sit for a second then it starts back up. This has been going on for months. I took it to the dealership and they ran all type of test and couldn't figure out why it was doing it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11600792
2014 GMC Acadia DenaliTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Vehicle stalls intermittently. Due to an earlier recall of the same model but not including the one I own. There is electrical shorting inside the fuse box in the ignition circuitry that causes this problem. This is a huge problem as there is no preemptive warning. Whether you're driving 5 mph or 55 mph it happens suddenly and without any warning. The incident is stored in OBDII codes. There are no warning lamps until after 5he vehicle stalls out. #PIT5643. GM#14515. YouTube channel "Sparky's Answers" 2014 GMC Acadia, Stalls Sometimes, Codes - P0689 , P1682

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11589389

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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