2.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,663 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.

2010 GMC Acadia drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

Oct 272021

Acadia

  • miles

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

power train came up on a computer check witch looks like the same problem that is already on here my engine light is on as long as my abs and track control light stable light is

- Clarendon, PA, USA

problem #36

Oct 062021

Acadia

  • miles
2010 GMC Acadia transmission had to be replaced due to faulty wave plate. I have seen many others with this same problem. GM is aware of the issue and even issued a special warranty for 2007-2009 models. 2010 models are having this same issue. GM should stand behind their products and issue a recall. This cost us over $3000.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #35

Sep 272020

Acadia

  • 130,000 miles
The transmission slips. When you start the vehicle it sometimes starts in the wrong gear and needs to be shut off an restarted, otherwise it runs on too many RPM. At times when pushing on the gas, after a stop at a light, it does not move for a while. When it does move it jerks and abruptly starts. The running day head lamp overheats and burns out the light bulb, causing it to explode.

- Sparta, MO, USA

problem #34

May 152020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

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

First problem is that the power steering is hard to turn when not moving or while driving at slower speeds as if there is no power steering at all. Second problem is the transmission occasionally will not shift from 1st gear which will cause me to pull over to a complete stop then accelerate again allowing it to shift.

- Piscataway, NJ, USA

problem #33

Mar 112019

Acadia

  • 97,000 miles
My Acadia started acting up and shifting gears hard when going up mountains then it started not wanting to change gears from 3 to 4 and the code ran was shifter stuck also once getting it in the shop was reading 3 other transmission codes and was told my transmission will need to be rebuilt for $2800 I was also told that this vehicle when made was notorious for transmission issues and that GM was covering the problem up to 100K miles mine now has 168K but I was never told and it didn't show as a recall to have anything done about this. As a single mother of 3 $2800. Isn't easy to just come up with especially after having has other problems that had to be fixed. What can be done about this?

- Ohatchee, AL, USA

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problem #32

Jul 102019

Acadia

  • 25 miles
Power chain went out while taking a corner and almost put my husband and daughter in the ditch, he stopped and almost got rear-ended. Multiple people have told me this is an issue with this vehicle, this could have caused a major accident.

- Cohasset, MN, USA

problem #31

May 162019

Acadia

  • miles

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

This vehicle has been a problem since I purchased it. Unfortunately, my state does not have a lemon law for used vehicles so I have been stuck with repair after repair. #1 the battery. I purchased this vehicle in 2016 and I have had to replace the battery twice already. This vehicle has killed cells in multiple batteries. #2 the transmission. When I initially purchased this vehicle occasionally it would not smoothly shift into 3rd gear. I took it back to the dealer multiple times, but of course the issue would replicate during their test drive so they couldn't diagnose the issue. The issue is that the truck will not shift correctly, but the problem normally corrects if you turn the vehicle off and then turn it back on. The problem is that you never know when the truck will not shift gears. This is problematic when you have a toddler in the vehicle and need to get on the highway and all of the sudden the vehicle will not shift in to 3rd gear, then you have to try to safely find a shoulder and hope that turning off/turning on the vehicle will fix the issue. Sometimes it's a 1X fix; other times the vehicle has to the restarted 3X times before the vehicle will change gears correctly. Diagnosis from 1 mechanic, something is sticking in the transmission and the entire transmission needs to be replaced #3 timing chain. This is the most recent issue. It began with an onset of a check engine light and multiple codes about a crankshaft sensor, O2 sensors, etc. Originally the mechanic was going to replace the sensors, but insists on replacing the timing chain assembly based on the information discovered about vehicles using the same parts and recalls it's unfortunate to discover that this vehicle hasn't had a recall issued for any of these issues knowing that they pose safety risks for drivers and passengers, especially children and the elderly.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #30

Apr 092019

Acadia

  • 136,000 miles
After I pull into my driveway and put my car in park and turn off the ignition the car gets stuck in park and wont shift back out for hours. Also when I'm driving the car states that the engine is in reduced power and the traction control is off and to service stabilitrak. This is a common problem with this vehicle of all years from 2007 to the present it needs to be fixed 6 deaths so far and still no recall to fix my car I dont want to end up being another death if you dont fix this issue

- Lafayette, CO, USA

problem #29

Jun 132018

Acadia

  • 122,000 miles
While driving, my transmission was slipping occasionally and then it became a daily occurrence and multiple times a day occurance. When it slipped, I could feel it and the rpms would increase. I took it to a local transmission shop and it turned out to be a 3/5 wave plate failure. The broken parts damaged the rest of my transmission and I had to have a complete rebuild. I was lucky that I brought it in to be checked as I found out that this issue could have caused the transmission to fail completely which could have put the occupants of my vehicle at risk of injury or death due to an accident caused by loss of power due to a drivetrain failure. I have also read that there was a recall for the same issue on the 07-09's and that recall was #14404 special coverage transmission clutch wave plate. I have also read that the same part was used in 2010 but that GM refuses to extend this to 2010 models even though 2009 parts were used. I have contacted GM and they are telling me that my VIN is not included. It should be since my vehicle was made in 2009.

- Glenmont, NY, USA

problem #28

Jun 282018

Acadia

  • miles
The timing chain needs to be replaced on the 2010, which is the same issue GMC had with the 2009S, however, the 2010 isn't covered, but the 2009 was. I've read that GMC knows that there is an issue, but they just aren't covering it yet.

- La Grange, IL, USA

problem #27

Feb 162018

Acadia

  • 152,000 miles

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

After taking vehicle to dealership and paying to have the evap system fixed my check engine light came back on before ever leaving the dealership. No codes would show when checked. Now they are saying that it must be the timing chain and that it will cost over $2000 to repair. I have spoken to several other mechanics who have stated that it is a known problem in this model car. After checking it seems that several other years have been recalled and no changes were made to the product but yet the 2010 is not included but it is a known defect in that year as well. I believe GMC should be required to fix this since it is a know defective system.

- Casa, AR, USA

problem #26

Sep 272017

Acadia

  • 79,000 miles
At $60,000 thousand miles my timing chains needed replaced (just like the 2009 which has a recall) then at 79,000 miles my wave plate cracked on my transmission (which there is a recall on the 2009 model for the exact same thing) my car was a early 2010 model and it looks like the 2009 issues are problems on my car. I think it's insane that GM can't stand behind their work better than this. The recall's should cover the 2010 models that were manufactured with 2009 parts!!!

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #25

Sep 212017

Acadia

  • 79,100 miles
79,100.00 miles waveplate failure. Entire transmission rebuild required.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #24

Jun 192017

Acadia

  • miles
Timing chain needed replacement due to stretch and check engine light at 137,882 which cost $2,049. This issue was covered under special warranty for 2007-2009 model years, but the 2010 is not covered. My understanding of GMC's fix is that nothing changed with the timing chain and the oil system life was lowered as to when an oil change was recommended by the vehicle (more frequent oil changes). I have completed all scheduled oil changes based on the automated prompt from the vehicle and still had to complete this costly repair out of pocket. I would like to see this known issue also covered by the special warranty on newer vehicles and be reimbursed for my expenses.

- Auburn, MI, USA

problem #23

Jan 152015

Acadia

  • 70,529 miles
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Acadia. While driving various speeds, the gear shift failed to work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (henry brown Buick GMC located at 1550 E drivers way, gilbert, AZ 85297; (480) 835-0900). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several other times. The manufacturer was not contacted and was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,529.

- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA

problem #22

Mar 252017

Acadia

  • 73,000 miles
My car has less than 73000 miles on it and the engine light came on. The code indicated it was the timing chain. The car broke down on the highway and had to be towed to a repair shop. After researching the problem, I discovered that this same problem has happened to a very large number of owners of both Chevrolet traverse and GMC Acadia. The problem was suppose to have been fixed after 2009 but 2010's and later models are still having this problem. Something needs to be done about this. GM will not help with repairs even though the vehicle has less than 100,000 miles on it. That was the only running vehicle we had!

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #21

Sep 112016

Acadia

  • 109,000 miles
When I need to drive from a slow speed to a high speed like when entering a freeway the RPM's start going crazy. When I press on the gas the car barely moves and the RPM's go way up and don't stop until I pull over. I had a car behind me that almost crashed into me because my vehicle would not accelerate. I took it to a repair shop and was told that it needs a new transmission and this vehicle is known for having a bad transmission. Turns out that there was a recall for the same issue on the 08-09's and mine is a 2010 that recall was #14404 special coverage transmission clutch wave plate. I am sure that this one needs to be recalled as well. This is a huge safety hazard someone could get hurt really bad.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #20

Jul 292016

Acadia

  • miles
Engine light prompted a trip to the GMC dealer to have the vehicle checked out. We were told it was the timing chain and it was a know problem, however GMC is not covering it.also transmission is slipping and needs to be replaced GMC Acadia are known for both problems and will not fix.it's going to cost around $5,000 to fix both these need to be recalled, I had a case open with GMC and they will cover nothing. Worst SUV ever

- Bellevue, IA, USA

problem #19

Jul 222016

Acadia

  • 80,000 miles
At 80,000 miles, after pulling out of parking, when I applied brakes the car started making rumbling noise from the engine and lurched forward despite pressing on brakes to stop. Pulled into a parking spot, while continuing to fight lurching of vehicle and turned car off to check engine oil, transmission oil, and power steering oil levels. All were fine. When attempted restart of vehicle, loud rumbling noise from engine, check engine light flickered and the car failed to start. Required a tow home from 100 miles away and $400. Hooked up obd, and received the following faults P0008, P0303, P0305, P0017, P0300, P0301. After researching on-line, common faults for timing chain issue estimate $3-4 thousand repair. Also, found 2007-2009 Acadia received extended warranty for same issue. However, 2010 not covered despite finding approximately 15 identical 2010 GMC Acadia on NHTSA site. I will be calling dealership first workday, however expect to be told timing chain issue based on codes and that GMC will not cover the repair since I am outside of the 5 year warranty, despite less than their 100,000 mile coverage.

- Yelm, WA, USA

problem #18

Jul 012016

Acadia

  • 0 miles
Transmission control modual and the wavy plate- transmission rebuild- transmission failure

- Haysville, KS, USA

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