VehicleVerdict

2019 GMC Acadia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 521 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Acadia year — the 2019 model ranks #5 of 20 Acadia years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 150 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

521

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Acadia years?

Acadia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Acadia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 GMC Acadia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission15029%
Other11322%
Electrical System10420%
Engine5210%
Steering306%
Brakes173%
Driver Assistance163%
Lighting102%
Suspension51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Fuel System41%
Airbags31%
Seat Belts31%
Speed Control31%
Body & Structure20%
Latches & Locks20%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Seats10%

Does the 2019 GMC Acadia have recalls?

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

21V115000Tires & WheelsFebruary 25, 2021 · 33,838 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Consequence

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

20V668000TransmissionOctober 29, 2020 · 194,105 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence

Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park with the engine running, the vehicle suddenly rolled away. As a result of the failure, the vehicle crashed into another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 30, 2024 · crash

“When I put my 2019 GMC Acadia in Park shut the car off get a message to put the car in park. The radio does not go off, not able to lock doors. Displays that message. Have to keep putting it out of the park and after 5 or 10 minutes message finally goes off and it will let me lock doors. These last…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 11, 2021

“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the engine caught on fire with no warning light illuminated. The fire was put out by the Chicago Fire Department and after the vehicle was inspected the cause of the fire was determined as a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 14, 2024 · fire

“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the engine caught on fire with no warning light illuminated. The fire was put out by the Chicago Fire Department and after the vehicle was inspected the cause of the fire was determined as a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 14, 2024 · fire

“Traveling at interstate speeds the vehicle had an short in the Body Control Module due to the HVAC drain leaking into the vehicle. The vehicle displayed a series of alarms brake, steering, and shutoff. We had no power, steering, brakes, or lights. The issue was discovered by Dave Sinclair…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 1, 2023

2019 GMC Acadia — common questions

Is the 2019 GMC Acadia reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 521 complaints put the 2019 model at #5 of 20 Acadia years. It is one of the Acadia years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Acadia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (150 complaints), other (113 complaints), electrical system (104 complaints).

Does the 2019 GMC Acadia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 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 2019 GMC Acadia?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 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.