2009 GMC Acadia Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 GMC Acadia most often describe loss of power steering assist at low speed and transmission problems, with engine complaints (oil use, misfires and timing chain noise) close behind. Many reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, though a number of owners describe repeated repairs over long ownership. Several complaints mention driver information messages and warning lights rather than an all-at-once failure.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out (hard steering)

   • 101 complaints (31%)
   • median 70,623 mi at 5.5 yrs old (85 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2022

   Owners describe the steering wheel becoming very hard to turn, most often at low speeds such as parking, turning into a side street, or rolling to a stop, and occasionally the wheel seizing briefly at speed. Some say the assist returns after restarting the engine or after the engine revs up again. According to complaints, dealers have replaced the power steering pump and the rack and pinion, and some owners report the problem returning afterward. Most often described at low speed or during parking-lot and intersection turns, with reports spread from about 25,000 to 130,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump or rack has been replaced and at what mileage, and turn the wheel lock-to-lock at idle during a test drive to feel for stiff or intermittent assist.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering went in vehicle going around a turn. Almost hit a tree. Complained to Gmc about the danger and they did nothing. I have two small children and bought this for safety. I do not feel safe in this vehicle anymore! This has happened to several other 2009 Acadia owners as well. Gmc knows about it, but has not recalled the vehicle or let people know the dangers of this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10415677, filed 2011-07, 40,000 miles

   “Last june during a routine inspection the dealer told me I had a slight leak in the rack and pinion. I questioned him on why a vehicle with approx 48k miles could have a problem. I was told that GM allows some leakage. Shortly there after I noticed an occasional ratcheting feel in the steering wheel. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10716493, filed 2015-05, 56,496 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifting, lost drive or reverse

   • 91 complaints (27%)
   • median 76,176 mi at 5.5 yrs old (85 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,510 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2020

   Complaints describe the transmission slipping or shuddering during acceleration, hard or delayed shifts between gears, and in some cases the engine revving without the vehicle moving, including failure to move in reverse. Owners report dealers reprogramming the computer or rebuilding internals, with some noting the problem came back. A related group of complaints describes the vehicle rolling backward or moving while in Park, and unusual noise or movement on cold start. Typically reported between about 50,000 and 140,000 miles, though some owners describe symptoms from under 25,000 miles.

   Recall 09V0730003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a cold start and include low-speed and highway acceleration, checking for hesitation, clunks or delayed engagement; ask for transmission service records and whether the shift linkage recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was a recall at one time for the transmission linkage about it popping off, I am now having it pop off I have no clue how long it been this way seeing as it goes to the dealership and they never said anything but it had been that way for a while you can just lift it off. Head lights go out almost every 6 months on the DOT! I have been caught twice with no low beams.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327450, filed 2020-06, 180,000 miles

   “Vehicle was missing in 3rd and 5th gears. Engine would rev to 5000-6000 RPM's without shifting gears. I would have to ease off the accelerator to get it to shift. Now the next day, when I put it in reverse to back out of the garage it will not go. Engine just revs when I press the accelerator as if I was in neutral.”

   NHTSA complaint #10676409, filed 2015-01, 115,551 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine misfire, rough running and loss of power

   • 72 complaints (22%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (64 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,820 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2024

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on along with shuddering, hesitation or stuttering under acceleration, sometimes with a noticeable loss of power at highway speed. Complaints frequently name ignition coils as the diagnosed cause, often replaced one at a time, and some report spark plugs and related parts being replaced first. Others describe the engine using oil between changes, and a separate group describes stalling or a no-start. Spread across the sample from about 30,000 to 195,000 miles, often described during acceleration or on inclines.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Request a scan for stored misfire and fuel-trim codes, ask about coil and plug replacement history, check the oil level and condition, and ask whether the vehicle has needed oil added between services.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I go through headlights every 6 months this last time, my driver side headlight got replaced and two days later it went out and the glass was shattered. I went and got new bulb and it did not work, after inspecting the the wiring we noticed it was burnt up and need replaced, Gmc said it's on us. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11383172, filed 2020-12, 112,000 miles

   “I was driving my car at about 70 mphs on the interstate and the car began to slow down and check engine light starting flashing. I almost got hit by the drivers beside and behind me. While honking my horn and putting on the emergency lights I was able to get over to the side of the highway. Towed my car into the dealership and they keep it for about 8 days saying they were very behind. Notified them that my car was coming in for service and was never told they was behind. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10819883, filed 2016-01, 105,000 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights and daytime running lights failing or melting

   • 36 complaints (11%)
   • median 62,450 mi at 5.6 yrs old (34 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2020

   Owners describe low beam or daytime running light bulbs going out repeatedly, sometimes every few months, and in some cases socket or wiring connectors showing heat damage or melting. Complaints mention holes or damage in the lamp assembly and repeated bulb and connector replacement. One owner reports the dealer disconnected the daytime running lights at their request. Reported from very low mileage (under 15,000) up to about 180,000 miles, with several owners describing bulbs failing on a regular six-month pattern.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect both headlamp housings and connectors for melting, browning or loose wiring, and check that all bulbs and daytime running lights work on delivery.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Low beam headlights going out at least 3 times in a year and a half. They do not both go out at once but both have been out at least 3 times. Tonight I was picking my daughter up from a football game and the deputy had me roll my window down and asked me if I knew my light was out? I looked at my husband and said really again!”

   NHTSA complaint #11043148, filed 2017-11, 11,500 miles

   “I am so exhausted by replacing headlights on my 2009 Acadia. I have owned the car for 2 years and have replaced headlights, connectors, wiring, and more headlights. I have never had all working headlights at any one time. This clearly is a safety issue! Not to mention the cost involved....I do not have over $100 everytime one goes out so we have figured out how to replace them ourselves, which isn't easy either!”

   NHTSA complaint #10861632, filed 2016-04, 44,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Timing chain wear and stretched chain

   • 30 complaints (9%)
   • median 127,500 mi at 9.0 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2025

   Owners describe the engine losing power, running rough or stalling, with a timing-related code stored. Complaints say a mechanic found the timing chain stretched, and some mention the visible chain, guides or related parts were replaced at significant cost. Several owners describe the repair as a known pattern on this engine and report limited or partial help from the manufacturer. Reported mostly above about 120,000 miles in this sample, with the vehicle running roughly or stalling beforehand.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the repair history on timing chain, guides and tensioners, have a shop check for timing codes and listen for chain rattle at cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall ibought a used 2009 Gmc Acadia in january 2016 with 108,000 miles on it. In august my car wouldn't start and I had it towed to the dealership and they said it needed a timing chain which was recalled. They contacted GM and they said they will not cover this because it was fixed 15,000 miles ago. I then called GM and they gave me a check for $990.00 in which it actually cost $3,200.00 to fix! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10938361, filed 2016-12, 115,000 miles

   “The vehicle started giving us problems. While driving at normal speeds (25 - 30 MPH) the motor will start to shutter or jump around. After taking it ot a local dealership we found that the issue is a the timing chain. I also did some research and found this to be a common problem between 120,000 and 200,000 miles. Gm only offered an extension up to 120,000 miles. This is a costly repair that we can not afford. Gm knows this is a continous problem but refuses to take responsability for it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11372619, filed 2020-11, 160,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect the steering system, transmission behavior and engine for stored codes before purchase, and ask for records showing whether the open recalls for this model year have been completed. Because several complaints describe repeat repairs, a service history and a pre-purchase inspection matter more than mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.