The GMC Acadia is a midsize SUV that was launched as a 2007 model year.
Boasting trucklike looks and a versatile cabin, the Acadia is a family-friendly option.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at all of the best and worst model years of the Acadia.
Table of Contents
Here’s The Short Answer To What The Best And Worst Years For The GMC Acadia Are:
The best GMC Acadia model years are 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, and 2013. The worst model years of the Acadia are 2008, 2017, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2011, and 2012. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
What Are The Best Years For The GMC Acadia?
2023 and 2022 GMC Acadia
The 2023 and 2022 Acadia models are part of the second generation which was introduced in 2017.
Both models offer refined ride quality, quick acceleration, and an intuitive cabin layout.
The modern tech and driver assistance features take the spotlight, making these models significantly easier to drive than older versions.
Owners praised the following aspects of these models: ride quality, minimal road noise, driving experience, appearance, and manufacturing quality.
Either model year comes in 4 trim levels: SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
When purchased brand new, expect to shell out anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000.
Our favorite safety features are Side Blind Zone Alert, Forward Collision Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
2023 Acadia:
- Edmunds: 3.8 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 84 / 100
2022 Acadia:
- Edmunds: 3.8 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 84 / 100
2023 Acadia, Edmunds review:
“After researching SUVs ( yes, we looked at the Telluride which is being priced way too much or MSRP) Nothing beats the Acadia in my opinion. The ride is smooth, the combination of the 3.6 L V6 engine with the 9 speed transmission is flawless, with a 6.1 second 0-60! The AWD, Led interior and exterior lights plus other features in the SLE are items which the Telluride would command a much higher price. Very satisfied with our purchase.”
2021 GMC Acadia
The 2021 Acadia received minor updates while maintaining the refined ride quality the vehicle line is known for.
New for 2021 is the introduction of the Elevation Edition, wireless functionality for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and minor improvements to trim option packages.
This vehicle comes in 5 trims: SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
It also has 3 engine choices: 2.5-liter, 3.6-liter, and 2-liter Turbo.
Fuel economy is about average for its segment. EPA estimates are 23 MPG for combined driving, 21 MPG for city driving, and 27 MPG for highway driving.
It was awarded with a perfect 5-star safety rating from NHTSA, based on various crash and rollover tests.
- Edmunds: 3.6 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 81 / 100
2021 Acadia, Edmunds review:
“Pretty pricey… but it is the right size, not too big and not too small. Traded in a 2019 Tahoe – it was also a great car, but too big and “trucky.” The Acadia handles more like a car – much more responsive and quicker. Wife is the primary driver and she loves it!”
2020 GMC Acadia
The 2020 Acadia is a great model year known for its balance of comfort, practicality, and ruggedness.
According to reviews, it is comfortable to drive in any situation, has quick acceleration from the optional V6 engine, and a simple cabin layout that anyone could quickly get used to.
New to this model is the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine option, the replacement of the former 6-speed transmission with a 9-speed, and upgraded navigation and entertainment systems.
According to owners of this SUV, the best qualities of the vehicle are its handling, steering, interior, infotainment system, and brake system.
There are 5 trims to pick: SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
Depending on the trim level and driving habits, EPA states that owners can expect around 23 MPG for combined driving, 21 MPG for city driving, and 27 MPG for highway driving.
- Edmunds: 3.6 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 83 / 100
2020 Acadia, Edmunds review:
“I only had my Acadia 2020 for about a month and some ran a stop sign in front of me going 60 mph! I had my dash cam on. It was awful!! Every airbags deployed. The other lady involved had to be taken to the ER while I walked away with just a black eye. Everyone who watched the video says THAT Acadia saved your life!!!”
2019 GMC Acadia
The 2019 Acadia is the third installment of the second generation.
It is a relatively smaller SUV compared to its first generation counterparts, resulting in slightly diminished third-row legroom and cargo space.
Despite this, GMC has done well in improving all other aspects of the model in terms of driving, comfort, and technology.
This model is offered in 4 trims: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali.
Each step up in trim offers substantial upgrades, but we find the midrange SLE trim to be more than enough for day-to-day requirements.
Noteworthy safety features include a Side Blind Zone Alert, Forward Collision Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
- Edmunds: 3.4 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 80 / 100
2019 Acadia, Edmunds review:
“I truly love my 2019 GMC Acadia SLT-1. I had researched cars for a long time and nothing grabbed me. Then I saw the Acadia. I immediately was drawn to the styling. I drove it and loved it. I researched the option packages and chose the SLT1. The dealer was easy to work with and I’m very happy with my Quartz Red Acadia. The ride is very comfortable and so far no complaints whatsoever. Update: After three years of ownership I am still extremely pleased with my Acadia and would definitely buy again. It’s been a pleasure to own and drive. No problems at all.”
2016 and 2015 GMC Acadia
The 2016 and 2015 Acadia model years are the final entries of the first generation.
This generation was known to be larger and more practical but quite bland in terms of exterior design.
In spite of design woes, these model years managed to be excellent in terms of handling, power delivery, and ride comfort.
Owners of either model year praised the following aspects of the SUV: comfort, interior, seating, ride quality, and driving experience.
Due to its large frame, the vehicle had below-average fuel efficiency ratings for its segment.
EPA estimates have the model at 18 MPG for combined driving, 15 MPG for city driving, and 22 MPG for highway driving.
2016 Acadia:
- Edmunds: 4.0 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.9 / 5.0
- JD Power: 78 / 100
2015: Acadia
- Edmunds: 3.6 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.9 / 5.0
- JD Power: 81 / 100
2015 Acadia, Edmunds review:
“The Pros: Build quality, engine and transmission are reliable and well balanced, ride, cabin comfort, seat configuration (dropping seats and re-erecting them for cargo space configuration is superbly easy), handling, super quiet cabin, predictable handling, lack of roll or sway, great towing, superb acceleration, great a/c (a must in south Florida), HUD display (it’s amazing how much we’ve come to love it), the lighting is great, the backup camera is superb, the lumbar support and overall seat design is as good it can be, seat belts are easy to use and comfortable, cooled seats are really great, navigation is very good…”
2013 GMC Acadia
The 2013 Acadia offers a good balance of practicality, spaciousness, convenience, and ease of driving.
It had a compliant ride, great seating for up to 8 passengers, and massive cargo space.
For 2013 updates included refreshed front and rear styling, updated audio, upgraded navigation controls, higher-quality cabin materials, and an additional airbag (front-center).
It was awarded a perfect 5-star safety rating by NHTSA, passing with flying colors in multiple crash and rollover tests.
There are 3 trims to choose from: SLE, SLT, and Denali.
The SLE trim had 2 sub-trims (SLE-1 and SLE-2). The SLT also had 2 sub-trims (SLT-1 and SLT-2).
- Edmunds: 3.4 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 3.9 / 5.0
- JD Power: 83 / 100
2013 Acadia, Edmunds review:
“We purchased our Acadia in June of this year. I’d had a Honda Pilot for 5 years, and while I really liked it, I wanted bucket seats in the second row and third row seating that was more easily accessible and was comfortable for adults-basically a minivan interior for seating without looking like a “mom-mobile” on the outside. The Acadia met these goals very nicely. We’ve put a lot of miles on it with our 9 year old son and it’s been a very comfy ride. It’s a beautiful vehicle, but the engine worries me. It can really hesitate when speeding up from a dead stop or slow speed-scary. It also isn’t nearly as smooth in acceleration as my Honda was-a bit sluggish. A+ on everything but the engine – C.”
Consumer Scores For Best GMC Acadia Years
| Model Year | Edmunds Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating | JD Power Consumer Rating |
| 2023 GMC Acadia | 3.8 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 84 / 100 |
| 2022 GMC Acadia | 3.8 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 84 / 100 |
| 2021 GMC Acadia | 3.6 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 81 / 100 |
| 2020 GMC Acadia | 3.6 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 83 / 100 |
| 2019 GMC Acadia | 3.4 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 80 / 100 |
| 2016 GMC Acadia | 4.0 / 5.0 | 3.9 / 5.0 | 78 / 100 |
| 2015 GMC Acadia | 3.6 / 5.0 | 3.9 / 5.0 | 81 / 100 |
| 2013 GMC Acadia | 3.4 / 5.0 | 3.9 / 5.0 | 83 / 100 |
Related: How Long Do GMC Acadia Last? (Solved & Explained)
What Are The Worst Years For The GMC Acadia?
2008 GMC Acadia
According to our research, the 2008 Acadia is the most problematic model year ever produced, amassing more than double the amount of complaints the runner-up worst year (2017) received.
To add insult to injury, CarComplaints.com also awarded this model year with the “Beware of the Clunker” demerit, owing to its extremely unreliable transmission.
Here is what one owner experienced below:
“Had my transmission fail while camping in the mountains with zero cell phone service. Check engine light came on at 121,657 miles, then deteriorated until it would no longer move when pressing on the gas pedal. The local dealer told me that the transmission needs complete replacement totalling 4.5k. GMC refused to assist me in any manner towards the bill even though this is a very known issue with this make of vehicle. There needs to be a recall on these transmissions as it is a dealer defect.”
The 2008 Acadia had a total of 1,251 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 186 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Transmission failure
- Engine shuts down while driving
- Transmission has gone out repeatedly
2017 GMC Acadia
The 2017 Acadia, despite only having half the total number of problems and complaints acquired by the 2008 model year, was still severely problematic.
Owners of this model reported a variety of issues, especially with regard to the electrical equipment.
One commonly cited ailment was the “Shift to Park” defect, wherein owners would be warned to shift the gear selector to “Park” prior to parking or turning off the vehicle, despite the gear selector already being in the “Park” position.
One owner explains it perfectly in his report:
“Vehicle transmission does not recognize what gear it is in, a potential danger. Warning light appears randomly “shift to park” and the vehicle will not shut down. Vehicle does not recognize that it is in park. Requires multiple attempts to manually shift gears. Multiple complaints for this issue found online.”
The 2017 Acadia had a total of 621 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 99 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Shift to park issue
- Horn does not work
- Car would not start
2007 GMC Acadia
The 2007 Acadia suffered from numerous powertrain-related issues.
A lot of owners reported sudden loss of engine power, intermittent disabling of traction control, and sporadic extreme revving.
A handful of owners also reported smoke coming from under the hood and even catching fire.
One owner details his experience below:
“My 2007 GMC Acadia spontaneously caught fire while driving. No warning lights and or notifications came on. My car began to fill with smoke from the floorboard and smoke came from the hood. The front end of the car was fully engulfed in a matter of minutes, total loss.”
The 2007 Acadia had a total of 617 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 114 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Transmission failure
- Power steering pump stopped working
- Air conditioning freon leakage
2009 and 2010 GMC Acadia
Both the 2009 and 2010 Acadia models suffered from steering-related issues.
Several reports indicated steering wheel lock-up, tightening, unresponsiveness, loss of control, and loss of power steering, particularly when making turns.
One owner nearly found himself in an accident, as narrated below:
“Started to drive the truck, turned out of the driveway in a residential neighborhood, max speed was 45 mph and was able to drive and then the steering wheel locked up 2 miles down the city street. Couldn’t turn left or right and almost crashed into an intersection. The power steering fluid was at max and no engine light or status was lit.”
The 2009 Acadia had a total of 461 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 60 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
The 2010 Acadia had a total of 425 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 78 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Service engine light on
- Transmission failure
- Power steering goes out when turning
- Engine failure
- Prematurely worn timing chain
- Steering rack leak
2014 GMC Acadia
The 2014 Acadia had problems in the electrical and airbag department.
Numerous owners reported malfunctioning radios, unreliable driver assistance tech, and sporadic vehicle stalling.
Another area that was also affected due to electrical problems was the airbag system, as numerous owners complained about the service airbag warning light turning on and staying on for extended periods of time.
Some owners were even charged for this seemingly manufacturer-caused defect, as detailed in the brief report below:
“Service airbag light has been on since I’ve had the car. It was not covered by warranty (even though it is important?) . In order to fix it I was quoted over $1000 which is ridiculous as I only had it a month before that and traction control became an issue. Warranty covered the traction but not the airbags.”
The 2014 Acadia had a total of 358 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 49 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Not shifting properly
- Side detection system faulty
- Air conditioning not working
2011 and 2012 GMC Acadia
Much like the 2009 and 2010 Acadia models, the 2011 and 2012 model years suffered from steering issues, albeit less than owners of the older model years.
Several reports indicated steering lock-up, loss of power steering, and power steering fluid leakage.
The 2011 Acadia had a total of 355 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 63 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
The 2012 Acadia had a total of 338 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 72 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Loss of engine power
- Cam sensor and chain damage
- Daytime running light melted wiring
- Engine failure
- Air conditioning working intermittently
- Shuddering, vibrating, and revving
What Years Have The Most Complaints?
| Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) | Problems (CarProblemZoo.com) | Recalls (NHTSA.gov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 GMC Acadia | NA | 4 | 3 |
| 2022 GMC Acadia | NA | 10 | 3 |
| 2021 GMC Acadia | 5 | 58 | 2 |
| 2020 GMC Acadia | 2 | 55 | 6 |
| 2019 GMC Acadia | 18 | 151 | 2 |
| 2018 GMC Acadia | 49 | 303 | 2 |
| 2017 GMC Acadia | 99 | 621 | 2 |
| 2016 GMC Acadia | 16 | 114 | 3 |
| 2015 GMC Acadia | 23 | 170 | 3 |
| 2014 GMC Acadia | 49 | 358 | 5 |
| 2013 GMC Acadia | 25 | 169 | 3 |
| 2012 GMC Acadia | 72 | 338 | 5 |
| 2011 GMC Acadia | 63 | 355 | 5 |
| 2010 GMC Acadia | 78 | 425 | 4 |
| 2009 GMC Acadia | 60 | 461 | 6 |
| 2008 GMC Acadia | 186 | 1,251 | 5 |
| 2007 GMC Acadia | 114 | 617 | 4 |
What Problems Do GMC Acadias Have?
- Transmission failure
- Engine failure
- Engine shuts down while driving
- Transmission has gone out repeatedly
- Power steering pump stopped working
- Air conditioning freon leakage
- Prematurely worn timing chain
- Steering rack leak
- Loss of engine power
- Cam sensor and chains damaged
- Daytime running light melted wiring
- Air conditioning intermittent failure
- Shuddering, vibrating, and revving
- Service engine light on
- Power steering goes out when turning
- Shift to park issue
- Horn does not work
- Car would not start
Related: 11 Most Common GMC Acadia Problems (Explained)
What Are The Best Alternatives To The GMC Acadia?
| Make & Model | Score | MSRP | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| Buick Enclave | 8.1 | $44,800 – $59,470 | City: 17 – 18 /Highway: 25 – 26 |
| Volkswagen Atlas | 8.0 | $34,460 – $52,340 | City: 18 – 21 /Highway: 23 – 25 |
| Ford Edge | 7.9 | $37,945 – $46,485 | City: 19 – 21 /Highway: 25 – 28 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 7.9 | $35,000 – $49,870 | City: 20 – 21 /Highway: 23 – 27 |
| Subaru Ascent | 7.9 | $33,895 – $48,195 | City: 19 – 20 /Highway: 25 – 26 |
| Toyota Highlander | 7.9 | $36,420 – $51,225 | City: 21 – 22 /Highway: 28 – 29 |
| Dodge Durango | 7.7 | $38,495 – $91,185 | City: 13 – 19 /Highway: 19 – 26 |
| Ford Explorer | 7.7 | $36,760 – $56,075 | City: 16 – 27 /Highway: 22 – 28 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | 7.6 | $35,100 – $45,700 | City: 19 – 22 /Highway: 26 – 29 |
| GMC Acadia | 7.6 | $36,800 – $50,600 | City: 19 – 22 /Highway: 26 – 29 |
| Nissan Murano | 7.6 | $33,660 -$46,910 | City: 20 /Highway: 28 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 7.0 | $39,555 – $54,020 | City: 16 /Highway: 19 |
Source: cars.usnews.com, edmunds.com
Related: 7 Most Common Chevrolet Blazer Problems (Explained)
References
https://www.caranddriver.com/gmc/acadia
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/gmc/acadia
https://www.edmunds.com/gmc/acadia/
https://www.kbb.com/gmc/acadia/
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2023/gmc/acadia
https://www.carcomplaints.com/GMC/Acadia/
https://www.carproblemzoo.com/gmc/acadia/
https://www.cars.com/research/gmc-acadia/recalls/
