2010 GMC Acadia
Common Problems
Ranked from 223 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
16 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Power Steering Failure at Low Speeds
96complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe power steering system intermittently fails at low speeds, making steering difficult or impossible and increasing the risk of accidents.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Timing chain failure causing engine malfunction or complete engine failure
38complaintsHigh severityEngineThe timing chain stretches or fails, causing the engine to misfire, stall, or completely stop while driving. This can lead to costly repairs or engine replacement.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Transmission slipping or failure to shift gears
19complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission slips out of gear or fails to shift properly, causing the vehicle to jerk, stall, or remain stuck in a single gear.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Electrical system failure causing vehicle to stall, lose power steering, and prevent starting
18complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe electrical system fails intermittently, causing the vehicle to stall, lose power steering, or fail to start, often accompanied by warning lights and loss of electrical features.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Airbag and Safety System Malfunctions
13complaintsSafety riskElectricalAirbag warning lights illuminate intermittently, and stability/traction control systems malfunction, indicating potential safety system failures.
- 6
Engine Stalling and Power Loss
9complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine stalls or loses power unexpectedly while driving, often without warning lights, leading to sudden loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Headlamp overheating and melting
9complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe headlamp connectors overheat and melt, causing bulbs to burn out or explode, reducing visibility and requiring frequent replacements.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Headlight Bulb Failure
9complaintsMedium severityElectricalHeadlight bulbs burn out frequently, sometimes within weeks of replacement, requiring repeated replacements and posing a visibility risk.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Battery and charging system failure causing vehicle not to start
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe battery or charging system fails intermittently or completely, causing the vehicle to not start or lose electrical power.
- 10
Airbag Warning Light and Module Failure
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or remains on, indicating a potential fault in the airbag control module or wiring.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Dashboard Cracking
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe dashboard cracks, particularly near the airbag area, potentially causing injury during a collision and affecting interior integrity.
- 12
Engine overheating, smoke emission, and potential fire under the hood
4complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine overheats, emitting white or black smoke into the cabin or under the hood, and in some cases catches fire while driving.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine stalling or sudden acceleration without warning
4complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly or accelerates suddenly without driver input, causing dangerous situations such as near collisions.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Liftgate strut failure causing sudden closure
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe gas struts supporting the power liftgate wear prematurely, causing the liftgate to fall suddenly and potentially cause injury.
$500–$1,200est. strut/shock replacement (pair) · 2–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Engine Overheating and Powertrain Issues
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe engine overheats unexpectedly, and powertrain issues arise, including difficulty shifting gears and draining battery.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Engine stalling due to fuel odor and HVAC system failure
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemA fuel odor is emitted from the HVAC system, indicating a failure in the system's ability to filter or contain fuel vapors.
$150–$1,100est. hvac diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.