2016 GMC Acadia Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report loss of power steering assist at low speed and a large volume of air bag recall notices, many of them about parts not being available to complete the recall. Complaints also describe A/C refrigerant leaks, transmission shudder or slipping, and a recurring side detection (blind spot) warning that some owners say affects other electronics. Reports span a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 150,000.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist drops out at low speed

   Mentioned in 17 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the steering wheel becoming suddenly very hard to turn, most often while parking, leaving a stop, or making a slow turn at an intersection, and sometimes while driving on the highway. Several owners say the fluid was low or leaking, and dealers diagnosed a failed power steering pump, a leaking steering gear or rack, or cracked pump components, with repair estimates in the low thousands of dollars. A few report no warning before the assist was lost, and one complaint ties the loss of assist to a seized A/C compressor that damaged the belt. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 90,000 miles, with several owners noting it was worse in cold weather or came on gradually before becoming constant.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks or dampness around the pump, hoses and steering gear, and turn the wheel lock-to-lock at idle to listen for a howl. Ask whether the pump or rack has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My powering steering pump stopped functioning while driving, making it very hard to turn the wheel at low speeds, as if there is no power steering at all. Took it to the dealership and was told it's a wear and tear problem and after investigating it I noticed they have recalled over 1 million cars for steering failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #11300633, filed 2020-01, 37,000 miles

   “I have a 2016 Gmc Acadia, with 30,000 miles, well maintained. Suddenly my steering wheel is locked while making turns at a low speed. This was very scary as my wheel was completely locked and I had kids in my car. Vehicles running good when at high speed. I have seen so many complain with the same model and same issue, yet, Gmc has not posted any recall on their very dangerous issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11296635, filed 2020-01, 30,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping or failure to move

   • 32 complaints (14%)
   • median 52,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission hesitating between gears, shuddering at speed, or slipping, and in some cases the vehicle failing to move forward or in reverse with warning lights on. Dealers attributed the shudder to a failed torque converter clutch and, in several cases, told owners the whole transmission needed replacement. A couple of owners also mention hard shifting or stalling right after starting off. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 200,000 miles, with several clustered around 50,000 to 80,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at steady highway speed and light throttle to feel for shudder or hesitation, and check that shifts in and out of reverse are firm without delay. Ask whether the transmission fluid was serviced and whether the converter or transmission has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission is slipping Brakes / sometimes hydraulics not working properly Side and back sensors not working at all , malfunctioning of electrical components, while driving, all electronics inside vehicle went blank, anti theft system locked up, went to shut off car, will not start after the failed, oil consumption at 23% life oil cycle, oil pressure low, and engine locked up,”

   NHTSA complaint #11538919, filed 2023-08, 120,186 miles

   “'takata recall' while driving the vehicle it will not shift gears or has a hard shift. The vehicle stalls out before wanting to actually move which could result in fatal accidents. The car is nearly brand new with these types of issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #11231841, filed 2019-07, 33,500 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Side detection (blind spot) warning and electrical glitches

   • 20 complaints (8%)
   • median 50,567 mi at 3.8 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report a 'service side detection system' message that keeps returning, sometimes along with a dead battery, a no-start condition, or several warning lights and inoperative gauges. Complaints say the side detection modules were diagnosed as faulty but parts were back ordered for weeks or months, and some note the repair is expensive and recurring. Others describe the key sticking in the ignition because the vehicle does not recognize Park, and false forward-collision alerts with automatic braking when nothing is in front. Mostly reported between about 26,000 and 60,000 miles, often after a bump or pothole in the complaints that mention false alerts.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the side detection modules have been replaced or covered under any special coverage program, and check that blind spot and forward collision warnings behave normally on a test drive. Confirm the key releases from the ignition when the shifter is in Park.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There has been a couple of instances where the car just shuts off once when turning into a parking space, and once while sitting at a roundabout and then I have to put it in park and then turn it back on. It seems to work for a while after that, but it is extremely frustrating for a car that is not that old and I just got it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11246177, filed 2019-08, 67,000 miles

   “My key is stuck in the ignition and will not release on my 2016 Gmc Acadia. The battery had to be replaced because it was completely draining my electrical system. It has been determined that my car is not recognizing it is in park to release the key. The floor shifter needs to be replaced according to my Gmc dealership. This is extremely dangerous as the car could drift at any time, not to mention the strain on the battery.”

   NHTSA complaint #11233684, filed 2019-07, 48,566 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag recall notices and air bag warning light

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Many complaints here are owners reporting that they received a recall notice for the driver's air bag inflator but the dealer did not yet have parts, so the repair could not be done; some note the air bag warning light staying on in the meantime. Others describe the passenger presence module throwing a fault that a service advisor said could affect air bag deployment, and one owner reports all air bags deploying while reversing at low speed. A few complaints also mention seat belt buckles that would not latch. Spread across the whole mileage range, from about 35,000 miles to over 160,000, with several filed years after the recall was announced.

   Recall 23V334000Recall 21V246000

   What to check: Ask for proof that open recalls, especially the driver's air bag inflator campaign, have been completed, and confirm the air bag warning light is off with the key on. Have the seat belts latched and released in every position.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car presented with issue 'passenger presence module malfunction check circuit' that per Gmc service advisor may affect the proper airbag deployment during an accident. Car only has 35k miles and barely used since purchased back in 2015. Now they are not being covered for repair/replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402713, filed 2021-03, 35,400 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11643757, filed 2025-02, 161,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   A/C loses charge, rear evaporator and line leaks

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the air conditioning blowing warm, often first at the rear and passenger vents, sometimes with noise from under the hood. Complaints mention a leaking rear evaporator, a refrigerant line worn through where it rubbed against another component, and an A/C hose damaged by contact near the engine; in one case the compressor seized and damaged the belt. Dealers replaced hoses and evaporators, with repairs quoted in the hundreds to a couple thousand dollars, and at least one owner had the same repair twice. Reported from about 31,000 to 79,000 miles, generally after a few years of use rather than at low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run the A/C on its coldest setting at idle and while driving, checking that all vents including the rear blow cold. Look for oily residue or dye around the rear evaporator lines and where hoses pass near the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air conditioning hose rubbed/melted from being too close to the engine frame. Had it replaced in 2019 by dealership. Now it is happening again in 2021 and dealership says the bracket for the engine needs tightened so it doesn’t keep occurring. It will cost over $2000 to get this fixed again. Air blows hot air in rear and passenger side AC vents and driver side is getting warmer as well. Air doesn’t not blow cold when stationary or while driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #11416617, filed 2021-05, 39,704 miles

   “Ac makes noise under hood and does not get cold. Mechanic said AC very low and rear evaporator is leaking. Vehicle only has 31300 miles. Checked online and others have had the same issue with the Acadia.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321054, filed 2020-04, 31,300 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection pay particular attention to the power steering system and A/C, since those repairs are the most common and the most costly in these complaints. Confirm which open recalls have actually been completed and ask for records of any transmission or electrical work before agreeing on a price.

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.