VehicleVerdict

2016 GMC Acadia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 GMC Acadia sits mid-pack among Acadia years: 279 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 340, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 47% of all reports (130 of 279), far ahead of electrical system at 31. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

279

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Acadia years?

See all Acadia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 GMC Acadia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags13047%
Electrical System3111%
Steering269%
Other218%
Transmission207%
Engine124%
Driver Assistance124%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seat Belts41%
Brakes41%
Seats31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Lighting31%
Body & Structure21%
Speed Control21%
Child Seat10%
Fuel System10%

Does the 2016 GMC Acadia have recalls?

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

23V334000AirbagsMay 10, 2023 · 995,085 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

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.

15V833000SeatsDecember 11, 2015 · 2,633 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

Consequence

If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

15V609000Visibility & WipersSeptember 29, 2015 · 29,295 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Consequence

A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I was in an accident and my AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. Filed claim with progressive insurance (claim # [XXX]) which they have declared the vehicle a TOTAL LOSS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 24, 2025 · crash

2016 SLE GMC ACADIA CENTER GEAR SHIFTING COMPONENT LEVEL DOES NOT INDICATE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN. P,R,N,D,L ALL REMAIN WHITE IN COLOR DESPITE BEING IN A DIFFERENT GEAR; AN IMPROVEMENT (PERHAPS A COLOR CHANGE TO THE CURRENT GEAR) IS NEEDED. GEAR INDICATION IS CURRENTLY LOCATED ON A 2…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 9, 2016 · crash

2016 SLE GMC ACADIA CENTER GEAR SHIFTING COMPONENT LEVEL DOES NOT INDICATE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN. P,R,N,D,L ALL REMAIN WHITE IN COLOR DESPITE BEING IN A DIFFERENT GEAR; AN IMPROVEMENT (PERHAPS A COLOR CHANGE TO THE CURRENT GEAR) IS NEEDED. GEAR INDICATION IS CURRENTLY LOCATED ON A 2…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 9, 2016 · crash

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, SHUT OFF, KEYS ON FRONT SEAT WITH PURSE. WENT TO SEAT BEHIND DRIVER TAKING ITEMS OUT AND WENT ABOUT DOOING MY ERRAND. BOTH DOORS LEFT OPEN. UPON RETURNING, NOTICEC VEHICLE ROLLING TOWARDS HIGHWAY. TRIED TO CATCH IT WHEN SECOND DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 18, 2016 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC ACADIA DENALI. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PLACING THE KIDS IN THE CAR SEAT, WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE GEAR SHIFTER IN PARK, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A PILLAR. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND CAUSED A FIRE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 17, 2017 · crash · fire

2016 GMC Acadia — common questions

Is the 2016 GMC Acadia reliable?

It is close to typical for the Acadia: 279 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Acadia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (130 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints), steering (26 complaints).

Does the 2016 GMC Acadia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 GMC Acadia. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2016 GMC Acadia?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.