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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,702 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 1 of 2)

problem #35

Sep 032019

Acadia

  • miles

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

My lift gate door fell and hit me in the head out of no where and my car is not on the list for the recall for that exact problem. My airbag indicator goes off all the time even if no one is in the front seat. My speedometer barely works, it goes completely around and I can't get it to reset. I took it to the shop just to be told it's a sensor that causes it along with the slow cranking but they didn't know which one it was because my car has 4.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #34

Jul 012019

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 152,800 miles
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 #33

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 #32

Nov 012018

Acadia

  • miles

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

Car loose power and stabilitraker control, press car gas pedal and only goes to 20 mph it happen anywhere highway and regular street

- New Britain, CT, USA

problem #31

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 #30

Oct 162017

Acadia

  • 100,000 miles
Transmission problem I am being told...no warning signs! stopped at a red light and went to accelerate and Acadia would not go faster than 25 mph! now I am being told I need a new transmission at 95000 miles GMC is a joke! will never own another one!

- Breaux Bridge, LA, USA

problem #29

Aug 062017

Acadia

  • 120,000 miles

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

When I accelerate and get to 40 mph the car begins to shake randomly, intermittently. Then the service engine light came on, then the traction control shut off and the light to service traction control came on then the car drop the speed from 60 mph to 10-20 mph! when I tried to accelerate it did nothing ! the speed wouldn't increase at all then it started running fine and then a few miles down the road it did the same thing, dropped speed from 60 to 10-20 mph! I pulled over and shut the car off and when I restarted it the same lights were on and when I tried pulling away it would only go up to 10-20 mph for a few miles then it got up to 60 mph for a few miles just to drop again! I had my 11 month old grandson in the car that was dangerous! I was on townline road and manito blacktop that are very high traffic

- Manito, IL, USA

problem #28

Aug 072017

Acadia

  • 98,000 miles
When travelling home on the highway after school shopping with my two children my vehicle suddenly reduced power, became uncontrollable and wouldn't allow me to get out of the way of the rapidly approaching vehicles behind me in time. I was able to get to the shoulder, after the reduced engine alert appeared. Stabiltrak was also disabled and one more feature I cannot remember. I had to shut my vehicle down and sit with two children in the car waiting for the car to somehow right itself. After 10 minutes I tried turning it on and the errors were gone and the car drove again, except rough. I took it to the local auto store and the diagnosed it with the code reader as tac. Throttle body. The person at the counter said they see this all the time with this vehicle. In fact, it should be a recall since it's so common and a clear flaw in the design. To the tune of $199 you can replace the part and have the same thing happen all over again at some other random, unsafe time! thank you GM for yet another unreliable family vehicle. I will have no choice, but to replace the part, as this is the car used for every day transportation in my household to school, work and back. Researching the internet horror stories can be found everywhere. It seems tragedy has to happen to make this $200 part a recall. Please redesign and replace. This mom cares for her kids.

- Cortland, NY, USA

problem #27

Nov 102016

Acadia

  • 116,000 miles
Water pump failed in the freeway prematurely, brake cylinder failed prematurely, steering, rack and pinion and power steering pump failed @116K, transmission failed @ 116.no means of transportation with 3 kids.

- Eastvale, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 222016

Acadia

  • 87,000 miles
While driving the vehicle at a normal speed (55) on a highway, a dinging sound comes on and the car goes into reduced power mode, losing speed. The stabilitrak and the traction control warning comes on. This makes it difficult to cross traffic at intersections as the car will barely accelerate. There is no warning that this is going to happen. Also, the cars behind you do not know why you are slowing down. Then when you turn the car off and restart it, the lights go off and the car drives fine. After three trips to the GMC dealer, the throttle body was determined to be the problem. GMC has issued special circumstances warranty on the 2007 & the 2009 but not the 2008. I do not feel that the warranty is sufficient. I do not understand why there is not a recall because after searching the forums, I have found that there are numerous complaints with this happening. I had my grandkids in the car with me and we could have been hurt when we had the sudden loss of power we experienced.

- Mauk, GA, USA

problem #25

Jan 012015

Acadia

  • miles

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

Coming home from out of town I noticed my Acadia started jerking, yet there was no check engine light well nothing telling me that something was wrong planned to take it to the mechanic the next day, when I got up the next day to take it in it would not go in reverse and would only drive less than 20 mph suddenly the check engine light came on being my only source of transportation I towed it to a mechanic shop, the mechanic told me that it was the transmission but he could not offer a reconstructed transmission because the 2008 transmissions came out faulty that I would have to purchase a new one and that GMC knew about this so they put out in the market renews and improve ones..... total cost $3,417 not to mention interest on it due to having to borrow the money since I didn't have it. My question why wouldn't GMC put out a recall instead of improving it for the owners to purchase.

- Coalinga, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 062015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 110,594 miles
My family and I were driving out of town and then started to feel the car jerk at times and then out of no were it said stability traction control off and reduced power of engine and then engine started to make a terrible noise and shaking like it was going to give out. I could barely pull over. I have taken it several times in to get checked for the stability and they can never find anything wrong and they say its one thing and all I seem to do is pay for something that doesn't need to be fixed. This same issue has happened 3 times since then.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #23

Feb 092015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Power steering failed and transmission stuck in 3rd gear from a stop, couldn't move out of the way of a car and got hit.

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #22

May 282014

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 47,297 miles
Slowed my vehicle approaching a drive thru. I slowly began to accelerate, gas pedal went to the floor. My left foot was dangling. Vehicle's rpms and engine was roaring at maximum speed. I then placed both feet on my brakes to no avail! knew I was going to crash with no way to stop! I braced my self for the impact. My gas pedal stuck and my anti lock brakes failed. The vehicle I hit was a truck with its tail gate down. The impact pushed up his tail gate. My hood, fenders, radiator and fan belt were crushed. My vehicles bumper was not involved or damaged. Over $6,000 in damages to my vehicle and the sensors failed to register the accident, the gas pedal or the brake problem! after contacting GM corporate, they denied my claim! it was 8:45 a.M on a clear day. I am now frightened to drive my vehicle near schools or crowded places. I purchased this vehicle brand new and maintain it exclusively through our local GM dealership. I have all supporting documentation of repairs and maintenance.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #21

Jun 062014

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 133,000 miles
The transmission had been hard shifting from 3rd to 4th for about 200 miles. At 25 mph while turning through a very busy intersection the engine revved shifted through what felt like every gear, the car lost acceleration power; going from 25 mph to 10mph. Parked the vehicle. Restarted to find that only first and second gears worked and the check engine light illuminated. During the 200 previous miles of concern; I had heard a faint whine during acceleration. The first time any trouble occurred the vehicle was stopped behind a school bus loading and while I applied the brake (still completely stopped) the car lurched forward. I immediately shifted to neutral, not wanting to rear end the school bus.

- Grantville, GA, USA

problem #20

Jul 222011

Acadia

  • 56,000 miles
1. accelerator pedal stuck to floor at 60mph and continued to pick up speed until driver threw car to neutral as brakes would not engage 2. air bag system has not been functional 3. TPMS is inoperable light always on 4. seats are composed of polyurethane molded foam causing an array of health issues for myself and 2 children as car gets extremely hot 5. brakes engage during high speeds randomly causing car to slide 6. heavy metals/air plane parts found in many places of car 7. fumes inside constantly improperly routed fuel/emission system? 8. transmitters, ignition will not turn over unless fm transmitter in key is attached, should not be a hybrid or grid operated vehicle. Spray foam and welded metal composed much of vehicle. Medical white packing in much of gaps with a contaminated smell 9. lots of money trying to repair damage, owner filed bankruptcy lots of medical bills. Dealers and manufacturer do nothing, I have wrote letters and many phone calls. 10. microwave effect on anyone in car along with magnetic pulls. I myself have had this car since Feb 2011. I have lost some nerve function on left side of my body leaving me with multiple scars for life down left side of body and center forehead resembling radiation burns but I never underwent radiation. I lost my hair in 2012 along with joint damages. Please do something, I am not an experiment and never agreed to be one!

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

problem #19

Apr 212014

Acadia

  • 63,458 miles
I just had the clutch wave plate break into pieces inside my transmission causing us to almost get into an accident as my kids and I were getting on the freeway. We lost our gears and had to be towed. I looked up the issue and it sounds like this is a more than common issue with the Acadia at this mileage. If this is such a well-known issue why does GM not fix this issue?

- Mead, WA, USA

problem #18

Mar 192014

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 83,858 miles
My 2008 GMC Acadia gave me the scare of my life. I purchased my vehicle just last month and was very proud, I have been dreaming of this car for a while. However while traveling to my sons track meet my Acadia started jerking as if it was not getting any gas and the engine started making a loud humming or buzzing noises on farm market 521. The car slowed down to about 25 miles. Despite my continuing to press the gas pedal. I ended up jerking my way onward with my hazards on. I had cars screeching and flying around me. My kids and I are a nervous wreck. The 521 does not have a shoulder to pull off on. Miles later varying speeds as low as 15 and up to 35 mph I found a gas station (thank god) & pulled over. I powered down waited a few minutes then restarted the car. It started normally but I noticed I could not go into reverse while trying to leave the parking lot. I made my way forward all seemed well but 3-4 minutes into driving on 521 the same thing happened and now my check engine light is on. I started to panic I'm not familiar with the area. This is my first time here & the 521 is the only major road on my gps. I put-putted along and finally made it to the track meet in the middle of nowhere. Called my husband to come and check the car. After his look around he thinks my transmission is going out. He took the children in the Suburban while I drove slowly ahead. Then I get a new message - engine hot idle something - I freak out and pull off as soon as I could. He ended up towing me home. I am one week past the 30 day warranty this sucks. I really love my Acadia & am very possessive of her, no one else can drive her, I don't want my kids to touch her. I take excellent care of her, she is clean, driven with love, but just don't understand what happened. I'm scheduling to take her to the shop in the morning, husbands mad but I'm hoping this can be resolved quickly.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #17

Apr 112013

Acadia

  • 71,000 miles
I purchased the GMC Acadia from a dealership in kaiserslautern germany in May 2012. By April 2013 the transmission completely stopped working. At first the SUV would jump gears 6-3 sometimes 6-1 while moving at speeds higher than 35 mph. I have 3 young children and the result of such sudden shifting could have caused whiplash and did cause fear. I took the vehicle to auto schneider in weiden germany who identified the speed sensor as the problem via the computer and replaced the part. By 10 May 2013 the vehicle was completely immobile. I conducted research and have found over 1000 entries specifying that people have had to replace the transmission around 70000 miles, and sometimes twice, with GMC covering 0 costs. As a us service member I believe that the NHTSA should monitor complaints on other sites and investigate poor mechanics especially when tax dollars were used to rehabilitate GMC in 2008. Anytime there is a mechanical failure in a vehicle's transmission it can cause incident.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #16

Mar 022014

Acadia

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the engine rpms increased however the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was scheduled to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not available.

- Grafton, WI, USA

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