The most-reported Acadia run is 1GKER23768J (2008 builds) with 23 complaints, 7× the typical run. Power train problems make up 22% of reports; 2008 is the worst model year at 8.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for Acadia model years 2007–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The GMC Acadia has 1,538 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Acadia complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GKER23768J•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 1GKER23718J•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1GKER23728J•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 1GKER23798J•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1GKEV33738J•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1GKER23778J•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1GKER237X8J•••••• | 2008 | — | 1 | |
| 1GKEV33768J•••••• | 2008 | — | 1 | |
| 1GKER33798J•••••• | 2008 | — | 1 | |
| 1GKKNXLS2HZ•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1GKKNXLS4HZ•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1GKEV33708J•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 1,526 Acadia runs has 17 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 245 Acadia VINs so far, most often 2023, 2024, 2026 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the GMC Acadia the gap between build years is 5.4×: a 2008 car draws 8.7 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 66 | 37 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 61 | 34 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 44 | 35 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 49 | 34 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 150 | 77 | 7 | |
| 2020 | 100 | 63 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 384 | 115 | 6 | |
| 2018 | 388 | 131 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 681 | 159 | 10 | |
| 2016 | 231 | 83 | 7 | |
| 2015 | 240 | 87 | 5 | |
| 2014 | 448 | 105 | 14 | |
| 2013 | 129 | 64 | 5 | |
| 2012 | 275 | 96 | 7 | |
| 2011 | 241 | 94 | 6 | |
| 2010 | 273 | 92 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 276 | 76 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 748 | 86 | 19 | |
| 2007 | 346 | 79 | 12 |
Heaviest year here is 2008 at 8.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1.2. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 22% of everything GMC Acadia owners report: Power Train, 1,264 of 5,136 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 27 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 11 | 27 | |
| Air Bags | 60 | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 8 | |
| Steering | 16 | 2 | |
| Engine | 14 | 19 | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | 15 | |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 39 recall campaigns on the GMC Acadia; the 6 below cover build years 2007 to 2017. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 21V246000 | Air Bags:critical Fasteners | 2011–2016 |
| 14V266000 | Seat Belts | 2009–2014 |
| 14V118000 | Air Bags:side/window | 2008–2013 |
| 15V415000 | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate | 2007–2012 |
| 23V334000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2014–2017 |
| 10V240000 | Electrical System | 2007–2009 |
21V246000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2011: 10 years on the road before the recall.
The Acadia against its rivals
The Acadia draws 3.3 complaints per production run; the Toyota Highlander 2.9, the Ford Explorer 5 and the Dodge Durango 4.8.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Acadia | 5,136 | 1,538 | 2.5% | |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,259 | 1,799 | 8.3% | |
| Ford Explorer | 29,326 | 5,830 | 5% | |
| Dodge Durango | 11,502 | 2,416 | 4.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 5,136 reports on the GMC Acadia, 2.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | GMC Acadia | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 5,136 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 129 (2.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 68 (1.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 184 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 57% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The GMC Acadia share of that is 5,136 complaints over 1,538 runs, 0.46% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a GMC Acadia VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 5,136 NHTSA complaints from 1,538 Acadia runs and 39 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Acadia production run has the most complaints?
1GKER23768J, a 2008 build, with 23 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Acadia run has 3.3.
Which Acadia years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2008 is heaviest at 8.7 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Acadia get more complaints than the Toyota Highlander?
Yes: 3.3 complaints per production run for the Acadia against 2.9 for the Toyota Highlander.
How many Acadia complaints involve a crash?
2.5% of 5,136 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 68 involved a fire.
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