2018 GMC Acadia Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 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 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle inside the garage, shifting to park(P) and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly rolled backwards approximately 3 feet. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions and the vehicle only moved backwards. During one…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 45,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the message “Shift to Park” was displayed. The gear shifter was moved back and forth, then shifted into park (P) before the proper gear was recognized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 10,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 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

For the last 6 months, I keep getting a "shift to Park" message on my dashboard indicating that my vehicle is not in park (in which it is). The problem is getting wors, so I called GMC on 5/14/26 to inquire and was informed that my VIN number WAS not include in the resent class action lawsuit for this issue. I then found out by searching…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Vehicle dies with no warning, no warning lights, no power even emergency flashers are inoperative, almost like it got hit by an EMPOwner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 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 warning comes on when I start the car and then the engine fan starts up very loudly and code PO128. My car has 48,000 miles and is a 2018. I am seeing this is a known issue and should be part of a recall so I want to know if it’s covered.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The car will frequently but not always fail to shut off when the start/stop button is pushed while in Park. The message "shift to park" come up on the display and a yellow light comes on in the button. I have to restart the engine and it often takes as many as 10 attempts to finally shut off the engine. Between each attempt I have to…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

• 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

Stabikitrack error causes ABS to trigger while on the highway. Brought in for repair at dealer and needed new wheel sensor and EBCM, significant safety issue!Owner complaint, filed 2025

“Shift to park” warning keeps popping up on my dash. I looked into it and there are many people saying this is a known issue!Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 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

When I’m driving on the highway, I get a message on my dashboard saying steering assist reduced, drive with care. I have taken to the GMC dealership and they will not cover this repair even though it would be covered for 2021 GMC. When this happens, my car makes a loud noise and my steering wheel does not feel right. I do not feel safe.Owner complaint, filed 2026

this is the second time I am having to replace gear shift with under 160000 miles. Turn the car off and it tells me the car is not in park when it is. It can not tell what gear it is in or when. AGAIN. This is the second repairOwner complaint, filed 2026

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

My 2018 GMC Acadia is having the shift to park error. Causing it to not park; or error it causing us not to be able to turn vehicle off or know if it's in park. It pops up multiple times.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Blind spot warning light is not working. There is a previous recall for this for 2014-2017 GMC Acadia Models for the same issue. The issue has not clearly been fixed with models after 2017Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 98,000 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

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the temperature gauge remained at zero. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 112,300 miles

the transmission kept slipping. the car continued to lose power until it just wouldn't go anymore. The mechanic said it is definitely the transmission and drive shaft but my particular VIN is not included. I am looking at $7,000 in repairs on a car I owe $13,000.00Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 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

My car seats (2nd row & 3rd row) seats are rattling really bad when I am on the freeway or highway roads; signs of loose seats. Very concerning to wear it loosens the seat belt strap securing my toddlers car seat. I thought it was the road but unfortunately it’s my seats.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Drives side seatbelt base release latch. Seatbelt will no longer latch. Seat belt was not pulled, occurred while car was in park.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 45,000 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

Rear right hand lower suspension control arm broke in half, after further inspection it looks to have been separated from its original factory form which then cause uneven load on the arm causing it to fracture in half. The factory form separation seems to have been ongoing for unknown time due to surface rust is visible at the factory…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Suspension did not meet yearly state inspection standards. Service advisor/technician stated “control arm bushing deteriorated- excessive play”. Rear control arms could be moved with hand pressure excessive play. They stated that this is a very common problem with this make of car at this mileage (41,633).Owner complaint, filed 2023

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 owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle exceeded the set speed. The contact deactivated the cruise control feature; however, the vehicle failed to decelerate. The contact depressed the brake…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 94,000 miles

My acadia stalls during acceleration usually while going about 40-50 MPH and pressing gas pedal to increase to highway speeds. Its happened numerous times over the past several monthsOwner complaint, filed 2019, at 24,985 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

The acadia has 23,700 miles on and the tires are wearing out. New ties shouldn't be needed until 60,000 miles. This is a lot of difference in what should be obtained by these tires.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Front tires have started coming apart; such as, tearing or ripped tread. Similar to looking like they were "gouged" with something. Tires are rotated with each oil change on a regular basis. Purchased vehicle new with 440 miles, and currently have 33,xxx miles on these tires. Just recently noticed this on the 2 front tires, so date…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 33,000 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

Driving at night , if it is raining, headlights are not bright enough. So bad it's like there not on. These projection lights are useless. I have had two near misses because or this problem the older style lights were so much better, my truck has the older style h4 bulbs and they are so much brighter.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 500 miles

Driving straight on freeway when rear panoramic sunroof exploded with the sound like a gunshot. The glass is shattered outward still with photos to show the outward explosion.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 8,973 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 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

Front sunroof exploded on july 25, 2018. Driving down road heard loud gun shot like sound and the glass started pouring in. Most the glass went to the back seat where my 4 and 5 year old were in their car seats. We were headed on vacation form arkansas to the beach in alabama. The vehicle was in motion. Two lane highway in the middle of…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 7,900 miles