2011 GMC Acadia Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 17%of 269 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 GMC Acadia, 17% of the 269 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Under 100k miles and engine just blew up with out warning only had the car for 3 yrs prior when we first got it we had issues with the dvd cd player had to replace it and after 1 yr it went out again. Had issues with headlight bulb being replaced then blowing out. The big problem now is the engine and the car not running”
NHTSA complaint #11122883, filed 2018-08, 98,000 miles“I was dropping my son off to school, doing about 20 MPH when my car dash started blinking off and on saying traction control is off; check traction control; and then the car just stalled in the middle of a busy road with my son in the back seat. I found out that my computer system had malfunction and that I would need a new on installed.”
NHTSA complaint #10683566, filed 2015-02, 81,000 miles“I was driving my 2011 Gmc Acadia and all of a sudden the car started to decelerate. I pulled over and turn the car off and then the car would not start again. I had it towed to the dealership. The dealership is saying there is an issue with the timing chain. The dealership said that the timing chain failed. Upon doing research, I see that this is a common issue with Gmc models, especially the Acadia model. The dealership is saying that the repair is going to cost me $7500. …”
NHTSA complaint #11030021, filed 2017-09, 100,000 miles“I have a 2011 Gmc Acadia slt. My car is equipped xenon high intensity discharge (hid tvd) low beams lamps. Both passenger and drivers side low beam light sockets have melted inside each head light assembly. The low beam lamp connectors and portions of each wiring harness have melted from the intense heat of the hid lamp. I contacted Gmc customer assistance center to see if a recall has been initiated. No recall. I was given a case number and the contact information for my local customer experience manager. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113363, filed 2018-07, 180,000 miles“It has happen to me when my vehicle is in motion and when I go above 65 miles ph. The Gmc starts to heat up and sends a message on the display saying transmission is hot a lot of smoke comes out and the speed decreases completely I have to come to a complete stop and park in the street until it cools off what is dangerous is that it has happen when I'm in the high way putting me at risk to crash I made some fixes one time the mechanic charged me about $500 dollars to fix it now is doing it again and they want to charge me about a $1000 dollars more I have been having a lot of issues with the…”
NHTSA complaint #11327044, filed 2020-06, 9 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006293Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer an issue where the vehicle's engine may crank over unprompted and not start afterward. This is the result of hooking up…
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11002441Jun 14, 2024This service bulletin provides information for engine oil life monitor operation calculation.
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 30% |
| 2025 | 4 | 6% |
| 2024 | 8 | 13% |
| 2023 | 10 | 20% |
| 2022 | 15 | 29% |
| 2021 | 39 | 25% |
| 2020 | 28 | 26% |
| 2019 | 106 | 27% |
| 2018 | 109 | 27% |
| 2017 | 193 | 27% |
| 2016 | 25 | 11% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 90 | 19% |
| 2013 | 38 | 28% |
| 2012 | 41 | 14% |
| 2011 | 47 | 17% |
| 2010 | 45 | 13% |
| 2009 | 47 | 14% |
| 2008 | 153 | 18% |
| 2007 | 57 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Acadia
64 complaintsEngine
52 complaintsExterior lighting
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 GMC Acadia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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