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Engine & cooling

2008 GMC Acadia Engine problems

Owners have filed 144 complaints about the 2008 GMC Acadia's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 17% of all its complaints, most recently on March 14, 2026. They describe 3 crashes, 4 fires and 6 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
144
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
6
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

The car would not shift causing me to pull over on the side of a highway to restart the car this happened 5 times in a row b4 the car would shift into proper gear

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11724309
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

The traction control turns on and then the shifts don't work and I can't drive since there is no speed also the rpm and the gas the speed and the battery gages start flickering up and down then I turn off the truck and it continues to work fine but after 40 miles or so it does it all again

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11618622
AirbagsEngine & coolingFuel systemCrash1 injury

Deer hit me on the highway at 2am on December 26th. No air bags deployed.

Filed Incident Air bags · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11564926
Engine & coolingFire

The contact owned a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, a grayish-colored smoke as well as an abnormal sound emit from the engine without warning. The contact pulled over and exited the vehicle as the vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames. The contact called the fire department and they extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed(#23-046145) and no injuries were reported. The contact stated that the highway barrier was damaged as a result of the fire. The vehicle was then towed to...

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an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11527325
Engine & cooling

Started losing power and had problems cranking. Now won't cranking at all. P0123 error code.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11525778
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Head gaskets and engine default and ground wire system defaulted.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11498490
Engine & cooling

Turned key to start,it did not.mechanic said timing chain failed.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11495008
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving approximately 25-30 mph, the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed and remained at the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,038.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11428053
SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Vehicle will cut off, still runs after switch is off, when making a turn popping in the wheel, steering gets hard when making a turn, something kills battery and it leaks inside, this happens whether in motion or not

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11413657
AirbagsEngine & coolingFuel system

There is a airbag notification that comes on also im having engine issues where my fuel runs out extremely fast without notice. I can drive less than 30 miles and my vehicle will be almost of empty from a full tank. It just happened out of nowhere. My friend also has the same vehicle and she is having the same issues with her car. I really need this fixed asap.*Dt*jb

Filed Incident Air bags · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11403816
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Wilkins buick-gmc 6913 ritchie hwy, glen burnie, md 21061, 410 999-1419, was contacted and the contact was informed that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11338982
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise appeared underneath the front driver's side hood. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil. No leaks were present. The vehicle received an oil change however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 153,245.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11331146
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Stability track warning light keeps coming on I was told by my mechanic that it could be the sensor so I had it replaced with a factory brand gmc sensor and I'm still having the same problem. Also my passenger side air bag keeps saying it needs to be serviced but it's never been deployed and no one has an answer for why this warning keeps coming up the stability track warning comes on as I'm driving every time after about 10 to 15 minutes and the passenger side air bag warning comes on as soon as I start the vehicle engine. And also I have a problem with code p0700 it keeps turning on my check engine light and I had it fixed but it still keeps turning on .

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11319693
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Control board shows service stability track, service traction control, lights on dash board goes on and off as if there's electrical issues. Stability track light goes on and off.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11317460
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11315413
Engine & cooling

When I returned home and turned car off while in my driveway the engine would not stop running after I took the key out -until a few seconds it finally shut off- I tried to start it with the remote start and turn it off and it worked fine - can you advise me on this problem thank you [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11311171
Electrical systemVisibility & wipersEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that after turning the ignition switch to the off position, the vehicle would remain on and would sputter before turning off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and the cabin fuse box but the failures continued to occur. Local dealer bill kramer chevrolet(2251 w. 23Rd st. Panama city fl.) And the manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 165,000. *Dt *tp

Filed Incident Electrical system · Visibility · EngineNHTSA 11302819
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingCrash

Transmission failed, transmission slipped out of gear, transmission stuck in first gear, gm approved a 2013 safety recall for this vehicle, the transmission failed in 2017, the transmission was repaired and the entire engine has been replaced twice. The transmission is failing again because it is a product defect that is dangerous. Gm has refused to repair or replace the vehicle and the autonation has refused to repair or replace the vehicle. Gm and autonation have sold a dangerous used car with a fraudulent...

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intent. Gm and autonation have ratified the intentional fraud. The car needs to be replaced immediately because it is still dangerous to drive and the transmission is currently failing again.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11286604
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

My car has been leaking inside due to manufacturer defect with the seal of the windshield and in top and causing electrical issues for car one example transmission control module and etc

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11270212
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that the service stabilitrak warning indicator remained illuminated, the check engine indicator flashed, and the gear locked in fourth gear. The contact had to release the accelerator pedal to release the gear out of fourth gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11254792
AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

When I purchased the vehicle in less than an hour the check engine light, airbag light , tire pressure sensor popped on. The car would have a slow take off and shake as you accelerate on the city street. When I drive the freeway the car will hesitate and take 15 seconds before it switch gears to catch up to speed and jerk. The service airbag,service tire monitor system, service stabilitrak, service traction control alert messages are on the message console.

Filed Incident Air bags · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11253167
Engine & cooling

The timing chain broke which in turn broke the engine as well. It happened as I was exiting the highway, it just stalled and would not start again.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11231438
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Takata recall it keeps shutting completely down in the middle of highway and this affects everything steering, complete loss of power to vehicle. No codes to indicate something is wrong !!!! Extremely dangerous this has continued to occur even after parts have been replaced brand new. More than 5 times already. This will most certainly lead to death. I have 3 children with me at all times. That's 4 lives that could be lost because of this problem!!!! . We have been extremely lucky because it has shift down in the middle of the night and bridges where there is nowhere to get on the side but remain in the lanes where traffic is 70 mph and up!!!! This needs to be recalled immediately!!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11228754
Driver assistanceEngine & cooling

I bought my 2008 gmc acadia and not long after the check engine light came on. It was the timing chain. I had the chevy dealership replace it which was almost $3000.00. About a year and a half later it has gone out again. And I can't afford another $3000.00. Now it's just sitting. Very up set about this.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11222330
Engine & cooling

Check engine light came on due to jumped timing 3 days after we had purchased the vehicle from a dealership and a little over a year later it had jumped timing again so now I have to come up with 800 to tear down the motor so they can properly diagnose it. So I do not have the money for that so now I am stuck with a vehicle that I am paying for and cannot drive. It is sitting in my driveway as we speak. The vehicle was in the driveway and we were getting ready to leave when it happened. Both times. The dates it happened were 1/5/2018 with 137000 miles on it and the other date was 2/5/2019 and it has 152045 miles on it.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11221574

GMC Acadia engine complaints by year

Acadia engine problems, every year

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

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