VehicleVerdict

2013 GMC Acadia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 GMC Acadia sits mid-pack among Acadia years: 191 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 341, with 3 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (45), airbags (28), and transmission (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

191

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Acadia years?

Acadia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted1,296 complaints2007: 641 complaints2008: 1,296 complaints2009: 485 complaints2010: 436 complaints2011: 373 complaints2012: 397 complaints2013: 191 complaints2014: 603 complaints2015: 309 complaints2016: 279 complaints2017: 939 complaints2018: 521 complaints2019: 521 complaints2020: 155 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 70 complaints2023: 63 complaints2024: 79 complaints2025: 103 complaints2026: 11 complaints
Acadia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Acadia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 GMC Acadia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4524%
Airbags2815%
Transmission2714%
Engine2111%
Other2010%
Lighting105%
Steering84%
Speed Control63%
Fuel System53%
Body & Structure53%
Driver Assistance53%
Seat Belts42%
Seats21%
Brakes21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Suspension11%

Does the 2013 GMC Acadia have recalls?

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

21V246000AirbagsApril 8, 2021 · 108 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Consequence

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Car had sat most of the day. By approximately 2:30CST, we decided to go do a little shopping. We drove about 1 mile and the dash displayed "check battery charging system". My husband assumed it was the alternator going out so we turned around swapped vehicles. Probably 45 mins after swapping…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 22, 2023 · fire

“I WAS COMING OFF A RED LIGHT AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE / FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT LEAST 55 MPH AS THAT IS THE POSTED SPEED. I HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK. ONE IN A REAR FACING CAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 30, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC ACADIA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND DRAGGED THE CONTACT AS SHE WAS EXITING. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE CONTACT'S LEFT LEG AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 11, 2018 · crash

“My 2013 GMC ACADIA started fire on April 9, 2024 around 11PM in the driveway of our home. The vehicle was parked and off. The vehicle wasn’t used during the day. The last day of use was on April 8, 2024 around 6PM. The fire department stated it was potentially an electrical fire within the engine…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 9, 2024 · fire

“My 2013 GMC ACADIA started fire on April 9, 2024 around 11PM in the driveway of our home. The vehicle was parked and off. The vehicle wasn’t used during the day. The last day of use was on April 8, 2024 around 6PM. The fire department stated it was potentially an electrical fire within the engine…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 9, 2024 · fire

2013 GMC Acadia — common questions

Is the 2013 GMC Acadia reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 191 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Acadia year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2013 Acadia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (45 complaints), airbags (28 complaints), transmission (27 complaints).

Does the 2013 GMC Acadia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 GMC Acadia. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 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.

How safe is the 2013 GMC Acadia?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 GMC Acadia earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.