Which GMC Acadia Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)
General Motors produces the GMC Acadia, a crossover SUV. This vehicle has two generations, the first of which began in 2007 and the second in 2017. In the United States, there have been a total of 1,293,561 sales reported since 2006.
However, there have been issues with the vehicle. Some of the most prevalent problems with several GMC Acadia years are transmission failure, illuminated engine light, malfunctioning air conditioner unit, and a faulty and blown engine.
I’ll go over some of the most common problems. So, before you go out and buy a GMC Acadia, read on to find out which ones to buy and which ones to avoid.
GMC Acadia Years to Avoid (With Reasons)
The GMC Acadia is powered by an LY7 V6 engine with a lot of features. However, there have been some engine difficulties reported.
There have been 803 unfavorable reviews on GMC Acadia years, according to Car Complaints. Some models had fewer complaints over the year, while others received a large number.
You should avoid certain years since they tend to receive a larger number of complaints. Take a look at the following list:
- 2007 GMC Acadia
- 2008 GMC Acadia
- 2010 GMC Acadia
- 2012 GMC Acadia
- 2017 GMC Acadia
Now, let’s take a look at some of the most pressing concerns of the past few years.
2007 GMC Acadia Problems:
The transmission problem with the 2007 GMC Acadia is the most serious. The breakdown of the transmission and the slippage of the transmission is the most common of these.
This model also has automatic transmission troubles, engine failure, timing chain cover leakage, and steering concerns.
Other minor issues are shutting down while driving, parking light fuse blowing, premature brake wear, service brake system warnings, fuel level sensor faults, stereo malfunctioning, and freon leaking from the evaporator core.
2008 GMC Acadia Problems:
The 2008 GMC Acadia is the very worst. This model has also had serious transmission troubles, including several failures, fluid leaks, and stuttering.
There are additional issues with the engine, seat belts, electrical, and air conditioning of the vehicle.
The specific problems were engine shutting down, sluggish engine, sunroof water leak, speakers not working, loss of power steering, noise from steering, AC failure, liftgate recall, and so on.
2010 GMC Acadia Problems:
The transmission faults were solved in the GMC Acadia for the 2010 model year. However, the engine has taken up the space. The most prevalent concern among users is a prematurely worn-out timing chain.
Engine failure, the check engine light remaining illuminated, and banging noise on cold starts are all common issues this year.
2012 GMC Acadia Problems:
The 2012 GMC Acadia had many air-conditioning issues. This year, the inconsistent operation of the air conditioner is a serious issue. This problem appeared to be resolved once the actuator was replaced.
Additionally, some customers have claimed difficulties such as AC lights flickering, engine failure, service airbag light on, engine light on, and deteriorating seats.
2017 GMC Acadia Problems:
Last but not least, there’s 2017 with its transmission problems. This time, the switch to park alert irritated a lot of consumers. In addition, the car’s horn would occasionally malfunction.
The 2017 GMC Acadia also experienced difficulties with the sunroof shade breaking, the engine not starting, the battery dying, vibration with noise, and transfer case leaks.
What Are the Worst Years of GMC Acadia?
On forums and blogs, several of the first generation’s GMC Acadias received a lot of negative feedback. These are the years you should try to avoid at all costs:
- 2007 GMC Acadia
- 2008 GMC Acadia
The Acadia 2007 received many complaints regarding the transmission. Other problems include engine failure, camshaft sensor light being illuminated, car jolting while driving,
The GMC Acadia 2008 also suffered from the same problems as its predecessor. Aside from those, it also had issues such as running sluggishly, timing chain failure, StabiliTrak light on, rack and pinion leaking, loss of steering, AC unit faults, and many more.
Most Common Problems of GMC Acadia
GMC Acadia automobiles have suffered several issues. Let’s take a closer look at each of these issues.
1. Transmission Failure
The most affected years are 2007 and 2008, as well as 2017 and 2018. The cost of repairing a transmission failure ranges from $3,000 to $4,500. This is the most serious issue that some of the GMC Acadia vehicles have.
The most cost-effective approach is to replace the transmission system as a whole. To give it a shot, you may also change the torque converter.
Even though the manufacturer was successful in resolving the issue with prior versions, it reappeared with the 2017 model year. However, it was not as bad as it had been previously.
2. Illuminated Engine Light
The check engine light signifies that the engine should be inspected for issues. Even if there was no problem, the light would be turned on. This issue was most widespread between 2007 and 2012.
This problem was occasionally caused by a loosened gas filler cap in some versions. In previous versions, an out-of-date control module was also a cause of improper lighting.
A clutch wave plate is installed in the automobiles’ transmissions. If it is damaged, the light will be lighted as well. The users and mechanics spent several hours looking for this fault.
3. Malfunctioning Air Conditioner Unit
Normally, the air conditioner would switch on. However, the cooling mechanism would not function. This resulted in power consumption without any work being done. In addition, the air conditioner would operate erratically.
This issue was most noticeable in 2008, 2012, and 2014 models. Fixing these problems cost roughly $1,000, which is a significant amount of money.
When the air conditioner stops operating, the lights on some models begin to flicker. Leaks in the system, as well as a defective compressor, were among the regular issues.
The absence of vents in automobiles also makes controlling the airflow of the air conditioner difficult.
4. Faulty and Blown Engine
One of the most significant difficulties with GMC Acadia vehicles is the engine. The most common ones are engine failure, loss of engine power, and the illumination of the service engine light.
These issues would arise when the vehicles had traveled over 100,000 miles. The engine failure issue will set you back more than $6,000, while the power loss issue will set you back about $7,500.
A blown engine was also a typical problem. 2007 models, 2008 models, and 2010 models are the most afflicted by engine difficulties.
Which GMC Acadia Years are Safe to Buy?
GMC Acadia vehicles have a special place in the hearts of many consumers. If you want a decent one, these are some of the greatest models you can buy:
- 2015 GMC Acadia
- 2019 GMC Acadia
- 2020 GMC Acadia
- 2021 GMC Acadia
The 2015 GMC Acadia is the roomiest car in the lineup. It is one of the greatest, according to customer reviews. The automobile is also available at a reasonable price if you are seeking a used car.
The car also comes standard with a slew of technical and safety features. Furthermore, the V6 engine gives the car plenty of power.
The 2019 GMC Acadia is also a good choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new car. The model also has a lot of interesting characteristics.
Customers will find this model to be an excellent choice, with the main drawback being the lack of storage space. The V6 engine is also used in this model.
The SUV’s 2020 edition has a good name for being one of the most dependable vehicles ever produced. It has excellent riding qualities. Under the hood, the engine is quite powerful. It was designed to provide you with swift acceleration and make your journey as pleasant as possible.
The GMC Acadia for 2021 is nearly as nice as 2020. There haven’t been any widespread problems reported. Rather, this GMC Acadia model appears to be well-liked by customers.
Which Years Have the Most AC Unit-Related Issues?
2008, 2012, and 2014 years had many issues with the AC unit. The main problem was the malfunction of the cooling unit.
Which Years Have the Most Engine-Related Problems?
In the years 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, and 2018 years of the GMC Acadia faced many issues with the engines. These were check engine lights being on, blown engines, faulty engines, and many more.
Conclusion
I think I’ve covered all of the finest and worst GMC Acadia models. 2015 and 2008 were the company’s greatest and worst years, correspondingly.
You won’t have to worry about troubles if you maintain your vehicle correctly regularly. Follow my guide for buying a GMC Acadia according to your needs.
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