Worse than most Acadia years
Owners filed about 1.7 times as many complaints as a typical Acadia year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 82,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2013, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Acadia years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 463 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 GMC Acadia. The most reported problem area is the air bags (246, 53% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 2nd of 13 Acadia years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2014 GMC Acadia before you buy.
Air bags
246 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 82,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, Stabili-Trak, and the air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure was associated with a recent air bag replacement recall…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 178,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was avoiding crashing into another vehicle when the contact's vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that some good Samaritans assisted the contact in getting out of the vehicle. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 138,000 miles
Electrical system
90 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
On Sunday June 7, 2026 my husband drove our 2014 GMC Acadia to work. We both work at MSY - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for United Airlines. After he parked in the employee garage that is located in at the old terminal and got on the employee shuttle, the passenger tail light sparked a fire. Airport operations…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the transmission shifted from 2nd gear to 3rd gear, and the vehicle shuddered before shifting. The failure also occurred while shifting from 4th gear to 5th gear. The contact ran a diagnostic scan and retrieved information for a loss of…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 147,000 miles
Engine and cooling
47 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Engine randomly shuts off when driving for no reason. Will restart and check engine light comes on. Has now happened three times , twice to me in traffic. One of those the car went into a limp mode where it wouldn't drive above 30mph at most. This is very unsafe in the middle of highway traffic. The second happened approaching a traffic…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving at 70mph legal speed limit the engine lost all power and ability to brake or steer with and power assistance, mechanic has since told me the timing chain failed and destroyed the engine. Vehicle had aproxmitly 99k miles on it and in good repair. No warning that it was going to fail and was told that this is a common failure…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Im assuming a torque converter shudder is happening and RPMs bounce. Its pretty random. Happens before shifts after shifts and while cruising at a steady speed. Drain and fill did not fix it.Owner complaint, filed 2026
2014 GMC Acadia Denali When accelerating the car is sputtering and slipping. The RPMs are increased. There is a delay in shifting and it is rough. The car jerks and has a pause when accelerating. This is an expensive repair. Is GMC going to help or make it a recall? My local mechanic suggests it gets repaired as soon as possible or sell…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
28 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The rear brake lights get stuck on causing the traction control and the stabilitrak to turn off and flash the warning on the dash. This vehicle has been to two different dealerships to fix the issues and nothing has worked. The brake pedal sensor has been replaced a couple times. The brake pedal assembly has been replaced. This is a…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2014 gmc acadia. While driving on the interstate approximately 50 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle's speed decreased after the service stabilitrak and service traction control warning indicators illuminated. Vehicle started jerking and would accelerate. Contact continued to drive the vehicle with the speed…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 84,500 miles
Steering
26 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The rack unit is going out. It makes the vehicle suddenly jerk to the left at highway speeds. It could cause a collision if there is a car on the left or a head on collision if on a two lane road. It also increases the amount of force needed to steer at low speeds. I took to the mechanic and was told that it needed to be replaced and…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My wife was driving our 2014 GMC Acadia to work. She stopped to fuel up her car about 4 miles from home. She left the gas station and proceeded to head to work. She called me (her husband) in a panic because she had lost all power steering and could not turn the wheel through an intersection. I asked her if she had made it to work and…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Fuel system
25 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Fuel gauge is incorrect. It says I went 20 miles when I only went two. Then when car is in park the gauge goes back up but when moving the gauge goes down quickly. This had caused me to run out of Gas when I shouldn’t have and it’s adding miles to my odometer that I never went or it’s fluctuating and that’s faulty. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Gas gauge is incorrect. When I put fuel in the tank within min gauge drops to empty. Car sputters when idling. Car stalled 10x or more. Fuel pump has been replaced. Fuel pump module has been replaced. Did not fix the problem.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
24 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that for several years, the headlight bulbs were replaced several times. The contact used several different brands of headlight bulbs, but the bulbs failed prematurely. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs were dim while using the low beam or the high beam headlights.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 135,000 miles
I noticed headlights not working low or high beam. LED lights around head lights worked and fog lights but no headlights. I normally keep it on auto, but I tried all positions and none of them worked.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
14 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 gmc acadia. The contact stated that the service air bag warning indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to penske cadillac of south bay 18600 hawthorne blvd, torrance, ca 90504 (310) 697-1800 where diagnosed that connector underneath the seat needed to be replaced due to high resistance. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 56,000 miles
The seats for the front driver and passenger are not ergonomically correct. The push the passengers head and neck forward into an unnatural posotion. This happens at the with the headrest fully up, down, forward or as far back in position as it can be mived. I am currently experiencing neck pain. I have no issue with lower lumbar…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 20 miles
Body, doors and structure
10 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The driver's side door cracking away from the frame. My safe was put at risk due to the potential of the door falling off. It's a known problem for GMC vehicles. Yes the vehicle was inspected by a body shop. No warning or message came up.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2014 gmc acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle was retaining water. During one instance, water leaked from the steering column assembly. The failure occurred without warning. Dominion chevrolet (9630 red arrow hwy, bridgman, mi) diagnosed that the seal on the windows caused the failure. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 135,900 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
8 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Got onto the interstate and suddenly my car stopped but didn’t kill. My traction control light said off and then it said reduced engine power and my fuel went down to E. I couldn’t go but my car was still running. I killed it then waited a minute and started it again and it started moving slowly. Then it said service stabliltrak and…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Car only has 52,000 miles on it and the ABS, brake and traction lights have repeatedly come on. The issues has caused the lost of cruise control and high rise of my ABS system not working due to a wheel speed sensor failing. The car shouldn't have this issue when this little of mileage on it. The car started this all of sudden as I was…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 52,000 miles
Driver assist systems
6 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Blind spot detection (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Blind spot monitor module corrosion, second replacement in three years. Warning lamps on and side mirror alert lights remain on at all times causing a distraction at night.Owner complaint, filed 2023
For the second time, my blind spot alert system has quit working. The first time it happened, my vehicle was slightly out of warranty and it required a replacement of a part that cost over $800. The replacement worked fine for several years but has recently stopped working again.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I took my 2014 GMC Acadia into the dealership I purchased it at because my airbag light was on. This was before the recall. I was told at that time that nothing was wrong and and I probably hit a bump and juggled something loose. I paid $190 for that. Now my vehicle is in the shop and I can no longer operate it or sell it because it is…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2014 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. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 138,379 miles
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
10/6/2023 The vehicle shakes all over the vehicle when driving at highway speeds the shop I brought it to says that the tire tread is slipped and you can see the tread is wavy when running on the lift and is most likely the cause of the vibration. It is actually all 4 tires but a couple of them are the more worse than others. P255/55R20…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Goodyear fortera tires cracked between the treads (all 4 tires) tire size: p255/65r18 installed on 2014 gmc acadia sle 2 4dr suv VIN:[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 40,600 miles
GMC Acadia complaints by year
Compare the 2014 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2014 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 GMC Acadia | Worse than most years | 6 |
| 2014 Toyota Highlander | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2014 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2014 Ford Explorer | About average | 7 |
2014 GMC Acadia recalls
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Air bags Critical fasteners
- Risk
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system
- Risk
- If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Seat belts
- Risk
- If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
- Fix
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Electrical system Instrument cluster / panel
- Risk
- An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM to correct the fuel gauge reading, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured March 26, 2013, through August 15, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the engine control module (ECM) software may cause the fuel gauge to read inaccurately.
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in.
- Fix
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
2014 GMC Acadia questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 GMC Acadia?
The most reported problem areas on the 2014 GMC Acadia are the air bags (246 complaints), the electrical system (90 complaints) and the engine and cooling (47 complaints).
Is the 2014 GMC Acadia a good year to buy?
Worse than most Acadia years. Owners filed about 1.7 times as many complaints as a typical Acadia year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 82,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2013, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Acadia years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2014 GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2014 GMC Acadia. The most recent, from May 2023, covers the inflator module. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2014 GMC Acadia problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the air bags gave a mileage of about 82,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 72,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which GMC Acadia years should I avoid?
The Acadia years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2013, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2014 GMC Acadia?
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