2017 GMC Acadia Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 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

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear after parking in the McDonald's drive thru. The vehicle was shifted into gear and resumed normal operations after an extended period. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle operated as…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 48,000 miles

My Shift To Park senor come on often and wouldn't let me turn the vehicle off. I have taken to dealership for repair. Long wait and because parts are back ordered due to numerous vehicles having this same problem. This has left me stranded in my vehicle and not able to turn it off and leave the vehicle. I feel this is unsafe and should…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 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

I have replaced 5 batteries in my vehicle. The battery is constantly being drained. There is no lights or residual drawing power that can be identified.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Imagine wrapping up your errands and stepping into your GMC Acadia to drive home. You arrive and everything seems fine until you park, press the button to shut it off, and a “Shift to Park” message lights up the dashboard. Thinking you might have made a silly mistake, you double-check the shifter, only to realize it’s already in Park. It…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 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 2017 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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2017 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 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

Steering assist is reduced Brake assist reduced Seems to be a defective thermostat and sensor .temp gauge is below Normal operating temperature this needs to be addressed by GM should be a recall as this can be a costly repair.Many reports of same issueOwner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the A/C system became inoperable. Additionally, the engine fan activated and remained activated even after the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 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

Something inside the wheel started smoking and my gmc app displayed low break fluid. I pulled over and had someone come out two days later. The breakpad had uneven wear and the caliper had a broken seal on it which in turn tore the caliper up! This was not a safe situation to have with 4 kids in the car. This car has been one problem…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Subject of the problem: Service brakes/Hydraulic brakes Problem of the vehicle: While driving, the brake pedal sometimes suddenly goes all the way down without resistance, and the vehicle does not slow down as expected. In order to regain brake pedal twice. Frequency of the problem: This issue occurs intermittently, but it poses a…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 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

Warning light "steering assist is reduced, drive with care" pops on, check engine light comes on, thermostat gauge does not work, full on coolant, cruise control does not work when this populates. Steering is different and does not feel safe.Owner complaint, filed 2026

I keep getting this warning "Action Required Steering Assist Is Reduced Drive With Care" . This warning has occurred randomly for several years. Recently, after getting this warning the check engine light came on and the engine temp gauge stopped indicating. I have seen a bulletin from GM that this condition is covered under a 'special…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles. Parts named most: Blind spot detection (10), Automatic emergency braking (7), Warnings (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

Every time I park it show up “ shift to park and it takes long to remove the code. battery keeps dying because of it since the car won’t turn off all night.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Side Detection Malfunction Message on Dash. Blind spot and cross traffic alerts not working. Vehicle has a blind spot on the driver's side and without this alert, I have found that vehicles appear to not be there but actually which causes issues with merging traffic and lane changes leading to potential collisions. Dealer replaced the…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 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 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated after parking and turning off the vehicle, the brake lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The dealer the vehicle was purchased from, was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged for the repair. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 80,000 miles

Head lights are very dim making driving the vehicle at night very unsafe. Took vehicle to gmc dealer, tech said that head lights are within gmc specs. Too insane to drive this vehicle at night an accident or even death can occur.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 61,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 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

Driver's side seat belt lower attachment point. Has a flexible cable swage attachment to the lower seat belt and. This braided steel cable has failed at the swage. No accident involved. Just a fatigue failure over time. But since this is a safety system, I thought I should report it. It seems very similar to the earlier seat belt…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The middle row passenger side bucket seat seems to have a seat buckle failure. We have had a booster seat professionally installed for over a year. I check daily before my son gets in the seat that the seat is properly secured, but this morning it was loose. The shoulder belt that you have to pull all the way out to ratchet. It in place…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 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

GM issued Special coverage N192210240 for repair/replacement of the evaporative emissions purge valve because it may not fully close. The special coverage states that the dealer is to replace the part at no cost to the customer as necessary until 150,000 miles or 11/12/2026 whichever occurs first. Since owning the vehicle in question I…Owner complaint, filed 2024

We purchased a 2017 acadia AWD slt on december 28, 2017. There was a recall on gm bulletin #19-na-206 for (shift to park) issue. Dealer michael hohl gmc 3700 s carson st, carson city, nv 89701 ordered part but was not installed until 1/13/20. Day after repairs, fueled car and gas gauge would show three quarters full. The fuel range also…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 27,762 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.

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

P235/65r18, 106v 3 of the 4 tires are bubbled out lose air and are constantly feeling as if they are hydroplaning with lack of ice water or snow, constantly having to fill the tires with air. One has popped completely and am driving on a spare tire. It is unsafe to drive, 33 of the 4 tpms sensors have quit working as well:Owner complaint, filed 2026

Tire size is P235/65R18 I purchased these tires in December of 2024. I am concerned that these tires were built without the correct compound to be qualified as an all-season. I have never had tires this bad in snow, even though they are all season brand-new tires with full tread. I immediately bought a set of snow tires for the vehicle.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 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

The contact owned a 2017 gmc acadia. While driving with the cruise control set at 60 MPH, the contact attempted to deactivate the cruise control, but was [VIN]. The contact also attempted to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal, but that failed as well. The contact had to steer into a concrete barrier to stop the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 27,200 miles

The adaptive cruise control (acc) in my 2017 acadia denali will shut off and even cause the vehicle to break for no reason. This has happened numerous times, even with no other vehicle on the road or obstacles in the road. When it happens the acc will shut off, you will hear two distinct chimes and you will see a message saying…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 7,241 miles

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

The rear knuckles have a casting defect that does not allow the lower most forward control arm bolt to be tightened fully. This causes the bolt to be 1/8” from being fully tightened. After removing the casting defect you are able to tighten the bolt fully. The bolt broke off in the knuckle causing the tire to point away from the body at…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Persistent groaning and creaking from front end suspension. Dealer repair shop could not diagnosis issue however there is a repair bulletin published on this issue at gmrepairinsights.com which leads me to believe this is a known defect with the suspension of this car and other similar models. The defect as described in the repair…Owner complaint, filed 2023

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 contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact shifted from park (P) to drive(D) and was eventually able to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the letter P(park) was outlined in yellow and was illuminated on the instrument panel.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 74,000 miles

This vehicle has a severe water leak after rain event from body. Leaks into electrical, floor boards, roof. Dealership not able to locate water leak location. Have been working on it going on a month. We recently purchased the vehicle used.Owner complaint, filed 2023