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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 GMC Acadia Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
72about this part
Share
22%of 331 total for the year
Median mileage
81,453miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 GMC Acadia, 22% of the 331 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,453 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“My clock spring broke causing the cruise control to stop, my suspenion on my car is going out at 167,000 miles maling the car ride horribly, and apparently there is a problem with the wave plate in the transmission there have been multiple complaints about this problem but noone wants to do anything I was driving the moments these occured”

NHTSA complaint #11127987, filed 2018-09, 167,000 miles

“Takara recall well my truck just stop changing gears on sunday nite 03/24/19 I was getting off about to drive out of the parking lot when I saw the RPM hand go up but didnt come back down I knew something was wrong then it didn't change at all I drove 20 all way home with my flashers on and almost got ran over”

NHTSA complaint #11191232, filed 2019-03, 137,194 miles

“9/2014 at 93,000 miles transmission failed. Dealer confirmed Gmc agreed to pay 60% of repair, but later after transmission, wave plate recall I was reimbursed. 2/2017 133,000 miles new replacement transmission is failing again in 3rd gear with same internal failure code per my service person.”

NHTSA complaint #10959485, filed 2017-03, 133,000 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

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026330%
202546%
2024711%
20231327%
202248%
20211711%
20202221%
201915440%
201816441%
201723633%
2016219%
2015187%
2014358%
20132720%
20124315%
20113312%
20104313%
20097222%
200827933%
200718443%

Other parts of the 2009 GMC Acadia

Steering
112 complaints
Engine
67 complaints
Electrical system
47 complaints
Exterior lighting
38 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Electronic stability control
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Seat belts
10 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 GMC Acadia

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology