10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,943 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.

2013 GMC Acadia drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Nov 262023

Acadia

  • miles

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

At 35-40 and 55-65 mph, the car slips/ pulls back. I took it to the dealer, my rep said it is a known issue and GMC issued a bulletin but will not recall it because it's too expensive. There are thousands of reports online. Please investigate.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #24

May 132023

Acadia

  • 194,032 miles
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after coming to a stop for a traffic signal or stopping for other traffic, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter solenoid had remained in an open position, causing the vehicle to stall while stopped. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that his mechanic had researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 10052215-6979 (Power Train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 194,032.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #23

Apr 182023

Acadia

  • miles
I dont know exactly what is wrong but from online videos i think power train or transmission. When driving the vehicle will struggle/delay shifting. When it does finally shift its so hard it throws u forward. When having to quickly get on the gas it will delay to where your not really moving. This almost caused accidents multiple times. ( not pulling out in front of people) entering interstate is a good exsample. It has also lost power when crossing intersection!

- Mohawk, TN, USA

problem #22

Sep 152022

Acadia

  • miles

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

My GMC Acadia has been experiencing transmission problems. It has been jerking and it has been failing to accelerate properly. The check engine light is not on and the mechanic says he can not find a problem with the vehicle.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #21

Feb 232022

Acadia

  • miles
After having for just under a year the transmission seems to be acting up when going from 2nd to 3rd gear around 30mph to 40mph. After reading several forms it seems this is a common occurrence in these vehicles.. not sure if it-??s been reported but all the forms are showing people had to spend a good amount to determine what the issue is and seems that everyone had to replace the transmissions for the problem to go away. I-??m not sure how everything works but feel it should be looked at maybe.

- Marengo, IA, USA

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problem #20

Dec 092020

Acadia

  • miles
Started having issues with transmission stuttering during gear shifts. Very slow shifts at time and difficulty keeps RPM up when climbing hills. Took it to a shop that identified an issue and was advised the transmission would need to be replaced.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #19

May 152020

Acadia

  • miles

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

When driving in traffic and slowing down or coming to a stop. The vehicle goes completely dead. I will have to restart at each stop. When it does start, it is not a smooth take off, it is extremely rough, almost like a manual transmission in the wrong gear. This should not be happening. And it is getting worst every day. I have to Transport my family in this vehicle and it is very unsafe for us. I still have a year to pay for it and I am hearing more and more customers with the same complaint. The dealer doesn't want to touch it, because they are unsure what is wrong, or if they can repair it. Frankly, this should not be an issue with this many cars. There have been several near-misses with accidents because of the car stalling in traffic.

- Ruleville, MS, USA

problem #18

Jul 012020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
2013 GMC Acadia. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. The consumer stated the transmission needed to be replaced. The 35R drum and snap rings failed. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer any assistance due to the vehicle being out of warranty.

- Poulsbo, WA, USA

problem #17

Jan 022021

Acadia

  • 130,000 miles
Service air bag light and msg is displaying. When driving the car sometimes shifts hard. Transmission fluid has been checked everything seems to be okay.

- Vincennes, IN, USA

problem #16

Dec 022020

Acadia

  • 115,000 miles
Air bag service light is on. Defective wiring harness. Transmition issues as per a common complaint on this vehicle. The vehicle shows all of these issues both when running parked and while in motion on all types of roadways

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #15

Feb 052019

Acadia

  • 103,000 miles

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

Shudder in transmission. Had the transmission rebuilt found out the torque converter failed and almost shattered. Over $5000 fix.

- Tahuya, WA, USA

problem #14

Aug 012018

Acadia

  • 100,000 miles
Transmission has bad shudder in it taking off and while pulling slight grade on highway. Vehicle has 120849 miles on it. The transmission has a slip in it when trying to accelerate quickly.

- Big Cabin, OK, USA

problem #13

Oct 022019

Acadia

  • 109,000 miles
This vehicle began having a shaking or jumping feeling at 1800 rpms around 85,000 miles. Unable to be diagnosed at outside mechanic. Continued to get worse and began happening at other rpms. Took to dealership after vehicle hit 109,000 miles and diagnosed at torque converter which they refuse to fix because outside warranty. Per my review of other sites, this has been a recurrent and obvious issue with these vehicles and can leave people stranded on the highway as the vehicle can lose power.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #12

Jan 042019

Acadia

  • 95,500 miles
Have vibration when taking off from a stop due to defective torque converter with only 95500 miles on vehicle had to replace and rebuild transmission

- St.Louis, MO, USA

problem #11

Dec 112018

Acadia

  • 98,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. After the vehicle was parked, the vehicle continued to move forward and dragged the contact as she was exiting. The vehicle rolled over the contact's left leg and crashed into a light post. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was damaged, but was drivable. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,500.

- Arlington, TN, USA

problem #10

Nov 162018

Acadia

  • 118,000 miles
The torque converter went bad within 5 years and had to be replaced due to the engine shutting off when stopped and shuttering when accelerating. The repairs cost me $1500

- Reeds, MO, USA

problem #9

Oct 222018

Acadia

  • 103,000 miles
These symptoms started over 2 years ago and is very intermittent. Driving on the highway, the vehicle suddenly loses power, unable to accelerate and the transmission will not shift out of high gear. The decrease in speed is significant enough that on now 3 occasions the vehicle has almost nearly been rear-ended. Additionally, on the instrument panel the following indicators and messages occur: - "check engine light" - "traction control off" - "engine power is reduced" - "service traction control" - "service stabilitrak" additional symptoms: - loss of power steering - loss of power brakes once vehicle is turned off and sits for a few minutes. The vehicle will start and all of the symptoms above will go away with the exception sometimes of the check engine light. This indicator goes off after vehicle has sat overnight. Note this occurs very infrequently...sometimes months in between. August 2018, dealership (chev automation North, denver, co) diagnosed as transmission problem. Paid $5800 for replacement. October 22, 2018, all of the symptoms described above occurred again while on highway nearly crashing the vehicle. Wife now refuses to drive the car again. This vehicle is totally unsafe. It is unfortunate that a fatal accident must occur before any real attention is made to fixing a problem of this magnitude with GM vehicles.

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #8

Jun 012018

Acadia

  • 95,000 miles
My transmission has been acting up since 50,000 miles A/C acting up since 70,000 miles air bag light keeps coming on dealership wants to charge me for warranty work one dealership refuse to work on my car

- Rocky Hill, CT, USA

problem #7

May 032018

Acadia

  • 94,000 miles
While coasting up to a redlight the car engine lurched and stalled shutting off. This left me coasting with no power steering and no power brakes. Very scary. I was very fortunate I didn't hit anything. We have since found out this is due to a GM known problem with the torque converter. GM has a service bulletin acknowledging this problem. Tsb 13120A

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #6

Jan 022018

Acadia

  • 116,000 miles
My 2013 GMC Acadia car just started having shifting issues and turns out to be a transmission issue. The dealer states there is no recall and recommendation I replace the transmission which would cost about $4600. This is absolutely absurd. I just learned that Acadia's have transmission issues. And of course, nothing can be done because there is no recall on 2013 vehicles. Terrible business.

- Owatonna, MN, USA

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