VehicleVerdict

2010 GMC Acadia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2010 GMC Acadia sits mid-pack among Acadia years: 436 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 341, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 148 reports (34% of the total).

436

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

13

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Acadia years?

See all Acadia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 GMC Acadia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering14834%
Engine8419%
Electrical System5312%
Transmission4310%
Lighting246%
Airbags164%
Other113%
Suspension102%
Body & Structure82%
Speed Control82%
Seat Belts61%
Fuel System51%
Brakes51%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seats41%
Tires & Wheels41%
Latches & Locks20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2010 GMC Acadia have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V415000Body & StructureJune 30, 2015 · 691,144 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

14V266000Seat BeltsMay 20, 2014 · 1,339,355 units

Defect

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

14V118000AirbagsMarch 17, 2014 · 1,176,407 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

10V375000Seat BeltsAugust 12, 2010 · 207,210 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHEN DRIVING SUCH AS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE STEERING LOCKS UP FORCING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPENS PERIODICALLY IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. I HAVE CHECKED MY POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT IS AT THE FULL MARK. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A LARGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 1, 2014 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 14, 2021 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEADLAMP CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES FOR OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE WIRES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 4, 2018 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT MELTED AND LEFT A HOLE IN THE LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED VICTORY CHEVROLET BUICK AT [PHONE] (LOCATED AT 1250…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 1, 2017 · fire

2010 GMC Acadia — common questions

Is the 2010 GMC Acadia reliable?

It is close to typical for the Acadia: 436 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2010 Acadia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (148 complaints), engine (84 complaints), electrical system (53 complaints).

Does the 2010 GMC Acadia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 GMC Acadia. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 GMC Acadia under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Acadia years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Acadia years to avoid are 2008, 2017, 2007, 2014, 2018, 2019. The cleanest record among Acadia years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.