Getting a message that says sterring assist is reduced drive with care. This is a know issue with gmc acadias. The engine coolant thermostat need replacing. This is a covered repair on 2021 and later models where recalls have been issued. It is safety issue and should be covered on this model as well. My car only has 37k miles on it.
Engine & cooling
GMC Acadia Engine problems by year
825 complaints filed with NHTSA about the GMC Acadia's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest Acadia engine complaints
Our vehicle's horn beeped and a message on the dash said vehicle not in park. I copied the following from your web site and am requesting an update: General Motors has acknowledged the "Shift to Park" issue through several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). While there hasn't been a formal safety recall for this specific shifter issue as of early 2026, a class-action lawsuit has been filed alleging one is needed.
On [redacted] my Acadia started flashing dash lights and messages and had significantly reduced engine power and power steering. This caused it to come near to a stop in the middle of the [[redacted]] eastbound span. There is no area to pull over so I limped the car the rest of the way at 20 mph with hazards on. Vehicle was leaking oil and had camshaft trouble codes. I took it to a mechanic and was told it should go to a GM dealer because it needed major engine work. The dealer replaced the oil pan and other...
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things. The car was returned to me only to have to go immediately back for the same camshaft trouble code. The car was repaired and again returned to me only for it to start leaking a significant amount of oil. The car went back to the shop (about 1 week after picking it up) and was diagnosed with a fault crankshaft seal. This was covered by GM because the mechanic had just replaced the crankshaft seal during the first visit. The car was returned to me, again, and is currently leaking oil again from what appears to be the crankshaft. If it is the crankshaft seal, this will be the 4th visit in 2 months, 3 directly involving the crankshaft area. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Received message dash stating "Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care". The AC turned off and temp gauge went to "C". Noticeable difficulty steering at both highway speeds and on city streets. While driving to auto shop the message disappeared, AC turned on and temp went back to normal. About and hour later while diving on the interstate it happened again and steering was difficult again. This first occurred on August 24, then again on September 12 and October 21 and again on October 25. No consistency as...
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for time of day or outside temp. Lasts for a few hours then goes back to normal but when it happens randomly it does pose a safety issue with difficulty steering and no lane assist.
Car was running great and mins later I get an error stating steering assist is reduced -Drive with care. Vehicles temperature gauge is stuck at cold and fans turn on after turning off the vehicle. I had the vehicle serviced at Dave White on Alexis Rd in Sylvania almost exactly a year ago for the same reason. Was told by the service manager the issue was a computer update and not the thermostat and proceeded to charge for the "update" no issues with vehicle until now.
Steering assist warning comes on when I start the car and then the engine fan starts up very loudly and code PO128. My car has 48,000 miles and is a 2018. I am seeing this is a known issue and should be part of a recall so I want to know if it's covered.
Known GMC problem of a coolant leak which could cause an on-highway failure.
Steering assist warning. Thermostat and temp control sensor changed twice in 2 years.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at 2-3 MPH, the brake pedal became firm for 3-5 seconds. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The messages "Low Engine Power" and "Service ESC" were momentarily displayed after the failure. The vehicle was shifted into park(P), and the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and retrieved DTC: C05CC. The dealer was notified of the failure via a voicemail message. The failure mileage was 80,606.
Engine thermostat not functioning properly, therefore the display stayed on cold and would not show temp. It also cause the fan to run fast to cool engine. The AC would not cool and reduce power steering assist error message comes on. This is a known problem by GM and there is a recall for this issue on many of these vehicles, other GMC and Cadillac vehicles. Our vehicle should be added to the recall list!
I get error electric Steering assist reduced or unavailable drive with care at around 84234 miles on my car . Upon looking up problem on Internet it has to do with the Thermostat. I also found where Gm has a bulletin N252508350 which only seems to cover certain vehicles with the same problem. This seems to happen at all different miles driven on vehicles. I don't see how Gm can get away with only fixing certain vehicles with this safety problem when it shuts down the electric steering assist . This problem from...
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what I can find on the internet is common to all years from 2017 up in Acadia with the 3.6L engine . The Thermostats seem to be defective and I feel Gm needs to address this problem for all of these vehicles . Not just for there special bulletin N252508350 which covers some vehicles in 2021with 3.6L engines. If the engine design was like the old engines and easy to replace the Thermostat by just taking out 2 bolts , I would say no problem I will replace it .But when you have to take half the Engine apart just to replace a 20.00 part that is defective that affects the steering of the vehicle, they need to have a safety recall.
Engine cooling system malfunction, Ive had to receive maintenance on my Acadia 2025 elevation 3 times in the pass 2 months for the same issue, The coolant system. This is becoming a reoccurring issue that needs to be investigated thoroughly. Ive had to get a rental car all 3 times, and this is becoming frustrating and financially draining. My biggest concern is what is to happen once my warranty expires? guess I'll be paying a note and repair cost until a recall is opened on this issue and then will have to wait...
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for reimbursement. This is horrible to say this car was made 2 years ago. Attention is needed on this defective part. I'm so frustrated to I might just trade in this vehicle. I pay for dependability and reliability in the amount of 1300.00 monthly, but only receiving a financial headache.
Today, on [[redacted]] outside of Sapulpa Oklahoma, while in the inside lane of three southbound lanes, cruise control on at 80mph. The car suddenly reduced power, air conditioning stopped, assisted power brakes stopped working, gauge cluster full of flashing warnings. Pulled to the right shoulder, stopped with difficulty. Had to pump and stand on brakes to get stopped. Shut off engine, then restated and everything stated working again. Scary situation in heavy traffic. Lucky to be alive!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2020 GMC Acadia bucks/hesitates when I take off or slow down and speed back up. Mechanic looked at it can see engine is having random misfires. We have tried plugs, transmission fluid, looked at everything we could think of. The condition improves if I put into AWD but still exists and worsens for a period of time after it shifts back into FWD mode. My mechanic has done a lot of research and found that one possible issue was a stretched timing chain but since it is out of warranty I just couldn't afford to...
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have them tear it down it is an enormous job to see if that was the issue. It also lines up with other known issues like the auto stop issues and possibly a fuel pump issue. I have seen many people complaining online about this particular issue but not many on here and no recalls on my vehicle regarding the known issues
Engine thermostat not functioning properly, opening too early and not allowing engine to operate at proper engine temperature. Check engine light comes on, reduce power steering assist error message comes on, engine temperature gauge reads cold when vehicle has been running for an extended period of time. This is a known problem by GM and there is a recall for this issue on many of these vehicles, other GMC and Cadillac vehicles. Our vehicle should be added to the recall list.
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