2010 Gmc Acadia
The Verdict
The 2010 Gmc Acadia has 348 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (159 complaints) and engine (86 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 39/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Gmc Acadia, consider the 2023 model year which has 89% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2023 has 89% fewer complaints
View the 2023 Gmc Acadia dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 111 | 4 | 100 | 65 | 151 |
| 2008 | 199 | 21 | 249 | 152 | 235 |
| 2009 | 128 | 2 | 65 | 83 | 54 |
| 2010 | 159 | 4 | 62 | 86 | 37 |
| 2011 | 108 | 7 | 82 | 64 | 19 |
| 2012 | 132 | 5 | 71 | 58 | 34 |
| 2013 | 29 | 1 | 61 | 25 | 21 |
| 2014 | 65 | 6 | 238 | 71 | 29 |
| 2015 | 71 | 4 | 119 | 24 | 19 |
| 2016 | 50 | 4 | 110 | 13 | 17 |
| 2017 | 166 | 31 | 201 | 71 | 212 |
| 2018 | 119 | 15 | 68 | 38 | 147 |
| 2019 | 88 | 11 | 75 | 56 | 140 |
| 2020 | 25 | 5 | 22 | 33 | 11 |
| 2021 | 30 | 18 | 30 | 53 | 13 |
| 2022 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 18 | 3 |
| 2023 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 7 |
| 2024 | 13 | 21 | 7 | 9 | 4 |
| 2025 | 11 | 35 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact became aware of white smoke coming from the vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact and minor children exited the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, there was fire coming from underneath the hood. The Fire truck arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle had liability coverage, and the insurance company declined to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure had occurred while the contact's minor children were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. The contact and the children sustained smoke-related injuries. The contact and the children later received medical treatment for the smoke-related injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer declined to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
The contact owned a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, white and black smoke had leaked into the interior cabin through the air vents. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had caught on fire under the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road when the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The local fire department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The source of the fire was unidentified. A police report was filed. The contact sought medical attention for smoke inhalation. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot via the insurance provider. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. In addition, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was previously repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Shift to park issue known recall issue in other GMC Acadias ... Vehicle will not lock into park and can NOT remove key anymore electrical still runs in vehicle causing the battery to drain ... Now have to force vehicle to shift into Park as best as possible but still does not fully lock into Park gear anymore ... I was shifting into Park.
Check Engine Light. Faulty timing chain. Rack and pinion repairs needed. Examined by two automotive locations: LaFontaine Automotive GMC of Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Mazur's Total Automotive in Pinckney, MI
When drving at a slower speed to make a sharp turn, steering wheel almost locks up or have to use both hands to turn the wheel. As if there is no power steering in the vehicle. At times you can not turn as sharp as needed putting you in danger of being hit by another vehicle.
Timing chain and gears
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the high- and low-pressure hoses, steering pump, and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The car completely stopped while driving. Upon towing it to the shop, they stated the timing chain cause the engine to not work. This is a safety hazard due to anyone could of gotten hurt or this could have cause an accident due to I was not able to steer or do anything.
Timing chain was replaced on 11/26/2019 and failed again on 02/09/2022. Needs to be a manufacturer defect that gets fixed for free. So dangerous.
all the wiring under the dash has got the installation melted off of the wiring and can't get the vehicle to start or get any power to the battery or ect and the fuse box under the dash has 50 fuses in it and out of all of them only one of them out of 50 is getting power and to me it's a fire Hazzard and i think gmc needs to do a recall on it or replace my vehicle i've got it in a garage now and that's what the mechanic has found out about is the wiring under the dash
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the failure was due to the timing chain and rod bearings. The failure mileage was approximately 133,208.
power train came up on a computer check witch looks like the same problem that is already on here my engine light is on as long as my abs and track control light stable light is on
2010 GMC Acadia transmission had to be replaced due to faulty wave plate. I have seen many others with this same problem. GM is aware of the issue and even issued a special warranty for 2007-2009 models. 2010 models are having this same issue. GM should stand behind their products and issue a recall. This cost us over $3000.
The same model and year has a recalled for a steering issue. But due to mine having a salvage title it is not cover. They say it is NOT a safety issue. And that is NOT true. It is to the point that I can’t hardly even turn it. It is so hard to turn the steering wheel. And it is getting worse. It is a safety issue if you can’t turn the steering wheel it can cause a wreck. Please please help me with this issue..
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to idle rapidly and smoke was exiting the hood. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for approximately an hour before driving to her residence. The contact never saw a fire while examining the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced along with an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
I purchased this vehicle in Feb. 2021. Shortly after my purchase I noticed the steering would tighten up randomly when turning corners making it very difficult to steer / control the vehicle. It also does this when parking. This has happened numerous times since I purchased the vehicle. I googled the problem and found some info dated in September 16, 2014 indicating GM's Special Coverage Adjustment - Loss of Power Steering Assist indicating the special coverage covers condition described for 10 years after 1st svc date (the Carfax I received said was 2.10.2011) or 150,000 mi whichever occurs first from date vehicle originally placed in service regardless of ownership. I purchased my vehicle from a dealership on 2.03.2021 - took possession 2.06.2021. My vehicle only has 73,676 mi on it. I reached out to general motors to see if they would assist with the problem since I was not aware the issue prior to purchasing and I am the second owner. They declined and told me to contact my dealership and work with them.
BACK SEAT ARM REST BRACKET WELDS FAILED. NOT ENOUGH PENETRATION. WHAT ELSE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH WELD PENETRATION ON THE SEAT FRAMES? WORKING IN AN AUTOMOTIVE SEATING FACILITY I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE.
IN 2013 GMC SENT A LETTER THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP SHAFT SEAL AND RESULTS IN WATER PUMP FAILURE. THEY SAID DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE IN UNLESS YOU THINK YOU HAVE A LEAK. THEY ALSO SAID IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN 10 YRS OF THE DATE YOUR VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE OR 120,000 MILES THEY WILL COVER REPAIRS. HOWEVER, AT THE END IT SAYS ALL WORK HAS TO BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 31, 2014. BY JULY 2019 BEFORE THE 10 YRS AND THE 120,000 MY VEHICLE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COOLANT LEAKING ON THE TRANSFER CASE/AXEL FROM THE WATER PUMP CAUSED IT TO FAIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HONOR REIMBURSEMENT AND MADE THE TERMS OF THEIR WARNING CONFUSING AND DIFFICULT TO PARTICIPATE IN. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BLACK SMOKE SPILLED OUT FROM THE HOOD.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 25 ,2020 AND ON AUGUST 19,2020 IT BROKE DOWN ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHILE I WAS TRANSFERRING FROM ONE HOSPITAL TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL WITH ME I'LL 3 YEAR OLD .I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STARTER IT STILL WOULD NOT CRANK I SENT IT TO BUICK GMC IN MORROW AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I PAID MY CAR NOTE UP UNTIL FEBRUARY 5,2021 AND I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR.
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE IT SOMETIMES STARTS IN THE WRONG GEAR AND NEEDS TO BE SHUT OFF AN RESTARTED, OTHERWISE IT RUNS ON TOO MANY RPM. AT TIMES WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS, AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT, IT DOES NOT MOVE FOR A WHILE. WHEN IT DOES MOVE IT JERKS AND ABRUPTLY STARTS. THE RUNNING DAY HEAD LAMP OVERHEATS AND BURNS OUT THE LIGHT BULB, CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE.
348 total