CarComplaints.com Notes: Ahh, the ole' sophomore slump. The 2008 Acadia suffers from widespread transmission failure around 75,000 miles.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,922 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 GMC Acadia engine problems

engine problem

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2008 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #102

Jul 012019

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 152,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall it keeps shutting completely down in the middle of highway and this affects everything steering, complete loss of power to vehicle. No codes to indicate something is wrong !!!! extremely dangerous this has continued to occur even after parts have been replaced brand new. More than 5 times already. This will most certainly lead to death. I have 3 children with me at all times. That's 4 lives that could be lost because of this problem!!!!. we have been extremely lucky because it has shift down in the middle of the night and bridges where there is nowhere to get on the side but remain in the lanes where traffic is 70 mph and up!!!! this needs to be recalled immediately!!!!

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #101

Mar 252019

Acadia

  • 310,000 miles
I bought my 2008 GMC Acadia and not long after the check engine light came on. It was the timing chain. I had the Chevy dealership replace it which was almost $3000. About a year and a half later it has gone out again. And I can't afford another $3000. Now it's just sitting. Very up set about this.

- Sagola, MI, USA

problem #100

Feb 052019

Acadia

  • 137,600 miles
Check engine light came on due to jumped timing 3 days after we had purchased the vehicle from a dealership and a little over a year later it had jumped timing again so now I have to come up with 800 to tear down the motor so they can properly diagnose it. So I do not have the money for that so now I am stuck with a vehicle that I am paying for and cannot drive. It is sitting in my driveway as we speak. The vehicle was in the driveway and we were getting ready to leave when it happened. Both times. The dates it happened were 1/5/2018 with 137000 miles on it and the other date was 2/5/2019 and it has 152045 miles on it.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #99

Jun 052019

Acadia

  • 102,230 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the freeway the engine locked in the middle lane of busy traffic

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #98

Feb 042019

Acadia

  • miles
This has been the most unsafe car I have ever owned. I can not even trade it in the get a safer car. We have come so close to having many accidents with this car. The steering just freezes up the engine will just shut down will driving. We have had the transmission replaced once and not it needs replaced again. We are not hard on our cars..I just hope it does not come down to having a accident before someone sees how bad this car is.. this happens off and on all the time hard to put the dates and times down when this happens, we take into a dealer and it does not happen with them or the cost is just crazy.

- Batesville, IN, USA

problem #97

Jan 312019

Acadia

  • 1,480,000 miles
The vehicle is having issues with transmission, there is a recall on other vehicles of the same make and model in a large range of years. The recall is a transmission solenoid. However because under the VIN number it does not show there is a recall this will not be fixed free by dealership. This is very dangerous because it happens randomly while driving.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #96

Jan 272019

Acadia

  • 142,293 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving 25 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the cam shaft needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed by another independent mechanic that the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 142,293.

- Daleville, AL, USA

problem #95

Jan 272019

Acadia

  • 142,290 miles
My traction control and service stabilitrak light keeps coming on. Now my check engine light came on and says camshaft sensor. I took to a mechanic and they said that I need a new motor.

- Daleville, AL, USA

problem #94

Jan 122019

Acadia

  • 205,000 miles
While accelerating I've noticed my vehicle has some type of wave plate issue but it seems common for these vehicles. It jerks and shakes and it's not safe.

- Madison, NC, USA

problem #93

Dec 212018

Acadia

  • 91,814 miles
On 4 separate occasions within a 3 week period the vehicle would accelerate while driving without driver prompts or control (rpms revved from 2000 to over 6000 and speed would increase from 50 mph to over 85 mph with accelerator pegged to the floor.) the only way to correct this was to put the vehicle in neutral, coast to the side of the road, stop the vehicle and turn off the engine for 10-15 minutes, then restart it and it would run normally for short periods of time. If I drove the vehicle for more than 30 minutes at a time it would react this way every time and nearly caused me to hit 2 vehicles on the interstate. On one occasion I had to impact a guardrail to slow the vehicle down. I took the vehicle to a certified GMC dealership who stated on both occasions they could not repeat the problem after driving it for 5-10 minutes or less than 15 miles. When I informed them that it only occurred after 30-45 minutes of driving, the technician stated he didn't have time to drive the vehicle that length of time or distance and went on to say no diagnostic codes were tripped so there wasn't any repairs he could do or that GMC would authorized. The vehicle was under warranty. I researched this problem online at www.carcomplaints.com and found over 25 similar issues and complaints from other owners of the same year make and model. Two of which resulted in a crash with serious injuries to the occupants. I was forced to sell this vehicle at a $2554 loss and will now be filing a class action lawsuit against GMC and the service dealership I dealt with after I compile the required evidence from the other 25 owners with the same problems. I find it hard to believe that you would allow this to continue knowing full well injuries had been reported to NHTSA in previous complaints. I may include NHTSA in my class action lawsuit if my attorneys think it to be a good idea.

- Mckenney, VA, USA

problem #92

Dec 032018

Acadia

  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The timing chain is going bad for no reason, and I know is not olthe only one, a friend of mine has the same truck with the same problem for no reason as well... I was on my way to school and the truck lost the power and didn't come back so, I had to call the tow truck and take it to the shop where they told me that the time chain was bad. I would really appreciate that you do some research and help me and other people who has the same truck as me.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #91

Nov 262018

Acadia

  • 140,000 miles
2008 GMC Acadia with 140,000 miles ran fine on Saturday 11/24/18. No noise, no issues, no warning lights. Monday 11/26/18, engine would turn over, but not crank. Again, no noise, etc. Had towed to a local GMC dealership that has completed all work and maintenance on car. Results=" broken timing chain. ???" there was a recall on 2007 and 2009 GMC Acadia's. if there was assistance with 2007 and 2009, how could they not have sca/recall for 2008. It is obvious that the problem was not corrected in 2007 or they would not have had to include 2009. GMC needs to step up to the plate. We have had multiple engine issues with this 2008 GMC Acadia. Please advise

- Kings Mountain, NC, USA

problem #90

Aug 142018

Acadia

  • 109,000 miles
There is a recall on the convertrr post that causes the engine to seize up and pull to go into the engine.. when started nothing comes out of the exhaust pipes as they are clogged making it dangerous to operate.. the recall ignoramus this year, make and model for the same problem however after contacting GMC repeatedly they say that it doesn't include this exact VIN..I have already had the engine replaced once due to this problem and ther dealer failed to diagnose it properly and acknowledge that it had the same problem as the recall in other vehicles ofthe same make and model... the vehicle sizes up at any rate of speed and the exhaust is clogged making the vehicle dangerous to operate

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #89

Jul 122018

Acadia

  • 1 miles
Since I bought the truck the I get an on and off message to service the air bag. Also while I am driving the truck over heats and when I come tona stop and turn the engine off and completely remive the key. The engine stays on and water pump starts to buble as if the water was boiling and after about five minutes there is no water in the pump and when you add water the water get extremely hot. I have seen in other forums where all have had the same issue. I am extremely disappointed in the quality of the vehicle. I have four small children and don't feel safe however the truck is financed and I have no option.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #88

Dec 272016

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 5,123 miles
I purchased a 2008 Acadia in November 2016. The seller stated that they had to order a airbag and replace the old one. Alone with the seat belt. I didn't get the car until a month later. When I got the Acadia it was making some whining noise, wouldn't crank back up, rattle and clatter, dragging in the transmission like driving in a certain gears, noisy in neutral. Airbag, seatbelt and stability traction control light continue to come on. Needed a alternator and now the engine gone. I been having problem's with the car since I got it, and it been only 13th months. We were driving twice and the vehicle shut down on us on the in-state. We had to get it pull back home. Several times driving on the main highway and street it wouldn't go in great. I don't photos at this time. I would have to wait until tomorrow, to go outside and take pictures. When I got the vehicle the left driving side tire light continue to come on, still having problem's with changing the tires left back and right front. Don't know how many miles was on there. I tried to place an X N the seat belt and unknown other space, but it wouldn't let me.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #87

Jan 202018

Acadia

  • 130,000 miles
The vehicle turns off abruptly while driving. The vehicle as turned off in a parked-idling position, rolling at five mph, and even between 60-70 mph. Most of the time when the car shuts down, you are not able to restart the car without removing the key out of the ignition and inserting it to the on position cycling that motion four to five times. I have researched and spoken to other owners with the same make, model, and year as I have and they are dealing with the same issue. I am certain I am not the only complaint regarding this issue. I am worried about the safety for my family and myself because as mentioned before, this happens at random. There should be some kind of recall for this issue, however there is not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #86

Oct 012015

Acadia

  • 83,000 miles
Bought vehicle with only 23K miles on it, transmission started acting up within 6 months of driving it, taken to a dealer, said nothing wrong, another year later got worse, took it in to a different dealer, nothing wrong, 6 months later took it in before going on vacation, nothing wrong, but had problems while on vacation, 6 months later, 1,500 miles away from home on vacation, driving down a 75 mile an hour speed limit divided highway, transmission went out with no warning, no dash warning, took in to a transmission dealer (since we couldn't get into a dealer) and said we wouldn't make it home the way it was. 5 grand later and a mess of a vacation later we were on our way home. Less than 3 months later, tighten gas cap light on dash, check tire pressure light on and check engine light on. Found out online that this model and make and year had numerous issues with transmission, don't understand how there was no recall and how GM got away with it. Oh, and we were under extended warranty in the beginning where they said nothing wrong, and as soon as warranty was expired, boom! transmission had to be fixed! transmission dealer said the damage was from a cheap $15 part that caused us to have to spend 5 grand while on vacation. We have all shop paperwork showing the paper trail what we tried to get fixed.

- Knox, IN, USA

problem #85

Sep 012017

Acadia

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving various speeds, the "reduced engine power" indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle's speed was reduced to 20 mph and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 15 minutes. Quirk auto of bangor, Maine (295 hogan rd, 04401) was made aware of the failure, but the source of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Burnham, ME, USA

problem #84

May 312017

Acadia

  • miles
I purchased a used 2008 GMC Acadia in May 2017 ever since I purchased this vehicle I have had nothing but problems I purchased this vehicle because my daughter is a senior in high school and I knew that we would be needing it to travel from state to state for college tours. Every since I purchased we have not been able to travel because of the continuous light to come on, continuous codes that comes on and it causes the car to run horribly I am spending $20-$30 a day on gas and I'm also noticing that the oil is just evaporating but I'm not seeing it on the ground I continue to take it to the mechanic he continue to fix things that the codes gives him. I'm still spending money and I'm still not getting any results I have not been able to travel in this vehicle because I refuse to get on the highway with my child and breakdown in the middle of nowhere. What we need to do is start a petition with GMC because if everyone is having these problems then it is a serious problem I am to the point where I am ready to start a lawsuit. I mean let's be honest what are we waiting for either us or one of our loved ones to die and is known death trap. There are so many recalls on this vehicle that all of them should be just called in and repaired apparently it's a problem with GMC assembling the vehicle and they do not want to own up to their responsibilities and it's not fair to us that I lives are at stake.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #83

Nov 142017

Acadia

  • 94,000 miles
This is the 3rd time happening. Driving normally engine light comes on and engine doesn't change gears it stays on 1st gear I have to pull over. Turn the car off and turn it back on a few times and tried to drive to see if it starts changing gears again until I can get to auto shop / dealer. They check the car with computer gives code P0700, they have been trying to find out whats the issue with the car. Everywhere we look up online tons of people with the same situation. GMC is a big company they need to make a recall on transmission this is insane how many problems Acadia from 2007 till 2009 have been having. Worst part is certain cars get called to GM defect programs others dont. Please make a recall I was with my baby in the car in the middle of the highway going 30 mph !

- Union, NJ, USA

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