2018 GMC Acadia Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 164about this part
- Share
- 41%of 398 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 164 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 GMC Acadia, 41% of the 398 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 4 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.
“1 out of 2 times a day when I put the vehicle in park it gives me a warning to shift to park on the electronic dash. Even though the shift is sitting in the park position. So I have to restart the car, take it out of park and shift back to park multiple times before the warning goes away. This warning prevents the car from completely shutting down”
NHTSA complaint #11270904, filed 2019-10, 43,000 miles“When gear lever is shifted into park and you try to turn of the engine a notice comes on telling you to put your car into park. I can not turn off the car until this message disappears. Sometimes it takes 7 or more tries to finally be able to shut off the car. If I leave it with the message then all electrical seems to stay on.”
NHTSA complaint #11320297, filed 2020-04, 37,000 miles“While stationary, instruments show a shift to park message, even though the car was in park. Acadia would not fully turn off until this message is not present. The only way found to have the message clear is to continually shift from drive to park until it recognizes that the car is indeed in park. This happens repeatedly - 8 out of 10 times I drive my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11235145, filed 2019-07, 34,000 miles“Whenever the vehicle was put in park and I attempted to shut it off, it would give me the shift to park error code and would not let me cut the car off completely. It would happen just about every time I drove it. I just got it out of the shop for the third time and was told this time they replaced the assembly. So far it has not happened again but it has only been a week. It started back in january 2020.”
NHTSA complaint #11349801, filed 2020-08, 22,000 miles“Put car in park went to kill it and it wont turn off says shift to park it is in park had to do this like 10 times ..twice today..my car wont turn off finally got it off. I have only had this 2018 Acadia lead than 1 mth.. I have read where this is a big major issue.. What do I do”
NHTSA complaint #11302677, filed 2020-01, 23,465 milesRelated recalls
- 17V516000Aug 22, 2017General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate…Covers: GMC Acadia 2017–2018, Chevrolet Equinox 2018, GMC Terrain 2018
Related service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010651Oct 10, 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30…
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 30% |
| 2025 | 4 | 6% |
| 2024 | 7 | 11% |
| 2023 | 13 | 27% |
| 2022 | 4 | 8% |
| 2021 | 17 | 11% |
| 2020 | 22 | 21% |
| 2019 | 154 | 40% |
| 2018 | 164 | 41% |
| 2017 | 236 | 33% |
| 2016 | 21 | 9% |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% |
| 2014 | 35 | 8% |
| 2013 | 27 | 20% |
| 2012 | 43 | 15% |
| 2011 | 33 | 12% |
| 2010 | 43 | 13% |
| 2009 | 72 | 22% |
| 2008 | 279 | 33% |
| 2007 | 184 | 43% |
Other parts of the 2018 GMC Acadia
118 complaintsElectrical system
109 complaintsEngine
35 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsLane departure
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 GMC Acadia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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