2012 GMC Acadia Problems, Recalls & Reliability
401 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 GMC Acadia, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 31/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 78,900 miles.
Typical
Where 2012 sits among all Acadia years
What owners report
“The headlights in this make and model go out frequently. I've owned my vehicle for 2 years and have put 5 headlights in it.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Acadia
“While driving my gmc acadia the car started loosing power, it then gave a message that said traction control off/on it also had stability track message.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Acadia
“The rack leaked and was replaced at approx 50 k miles. Then the power steering pump was replaced at approx 60k miles.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Acadia
“The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated the rear hatch door would close independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Acadia
“Transmission shudders and makes for a very uneasy, uncomfortable drive. It acts like it is going to die in the middle of driving down the highway.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Acadia
“A p0306 code appeared. I took it to my mechanic and he expressed that my engine was 'porous'. When i start my engine there's a rough start. When it's idle the car shakes.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Acadia
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 286 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 78,900 miles. Half of those reports fall between 49,000 and 101,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick…
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles…
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The…
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008,…
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be…
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted…
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner…
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN,…
Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 21V245.
Technical service bulletins
1,586 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2012 GMC Acadia. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2012 Acadia TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 GMC Acadia reliable?
The 2012 GMC Acadia drew 401 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 31/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 2012 GMC Acadia problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 GMC Acadia are electrical (62 complaints), other (55), and steering (46).
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Acadia problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 GMC Acadia problems around 78,900 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 49,000 and 101,000 miles.
Does the 2012 GMC Acadia have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2012 GMC Acadia. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.