10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,510 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.

2016 GMC Acadia steering problems

steering problem

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2016 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Mar 012024

Acadia

  • miles

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

Rack and pinion sudden failure. I lost control of the vehicle almost going off the road.

- Clinton, CT, USA

problem #22

Jun 102023

Acadia

  • miles
The recall is with the steering wheel air bag. If it goes off then the driver could possibly get injured or killed from metal fragments according to the recall letter that I received. The letter is dated June 10, 2023. If they can't come up with a fix then they should supply me with a vehicle that is safe. Seven months is way too long.

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #21

May 252023

Acadia

  • miles
The check engine light has come on multiple times in the past 6 months. I have taken it 3 times to be repaired and finally the found out what was wrong. The first time that I brought it in, May 2023, the Bank 1 Lean Code was coming up on the diagnostic. They replaced a sensor for $300. 2 weeks later the check engine light came on again. They got the same codes and didn't know what exactly was causing it so they fixed a bunch of things which cost me $2,200. 3 months later, the check engine light came back on again. This time they're telling me the repairs cost $3,725 and it's related to this bulletin [XXX] ). This seems like a safety hazard that I should not have to pay for. My car only has 58,000 miles. I already paid $2,500 in misdiagnosed problems and now they want me to pay another $3,725. I don't have my bills to upload because they're in my glove box and my car is with the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- North Kingstown, Ri, RI, USA

problem #20

Apr 012022

Acadia

  • miles

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

Experienced noise when turning at slow speeds and the wheel was difficult to turn at times. Took it in to dealer and was informed that the entire steering system needed to be replaced for $6300.

- Beloit, WI, USA

problem #19

Mar 152021

Acadia

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called marvin K. brown auto center (1441 camino del rio S, san diego, ca 92108, (619) 272-6867) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #18

Oct 282020

Acadia

  • 60,000 miles
I was driving down the highway and I went to turn the corner as I slowed to turn the corner the steering wheel wouldn't turn, I had to hot my brakes because it scared me that my car wouldn't turn, the cars behind me had to go around me, I thought I was about to cause a wreck because my steering wheel wouldn't turn. I finally got it to turn but it was really hard. I was thankful my kids were not in the car. I took my car in to get looked at and they said I need a new steering rack, I only have 60,000 miles on it. They said repairs are going to cost $1,200 or more. I called 5 different repair shops and they all said, that it was common on the GMC Acadia and other GMC vehicles. They also told me at one time GMC had more recalls then they had vehicles on the road. Wish I would of known this prior to buying. Couldn't imagine what it would of been like to lose in of my own kids are someone else for a vehicle problem that has been known to the makers but not every purchaser.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #17

Aug 152020

Acadia

  • 50,000 miles

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

Failure of power steering system - at low speeds, power steering assistance is not active. Very difficult to turn steering wheel from a stopped position or moving at low speed. This presents a safety risk in the ability to avoid pedestrians, vehicles or other objects while driving at slow speeds, most notably parking lots. Condition started around the 50,000-mile mark. After further examination, fluid appear to be leaking from the vehicle. Had vehicle taken to GM-certified dealership for service, and was advised that the power steering system required immediate attention. After further research there appears to be concerning history of power-steering related failure on the GMC Acadia. Prior model years (2007-2011) had the warranty extended on the system upwards of 10 years and 150,000 miles. In addition, a variety of technical service bulletins have been issued on the power steering system of the 2016 GMC Acadia. Nhsta database also points to a number of similar incidents, typically occurring around the 50,000 mile range. This indicates a latent manufacture defect in which further action must be taken to address this ongoing safety issue.

- Cranberry Twp, PA, USA

problem #16

Jun 292020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
My 2016 GMC Acadia was brought in for a basic car inspection. The car has 54,000 miles. I was told it failed inspection due to the leaking of steering fluid. I needed a new gear assembly. The car had no issues prior to this and I take the car regularly to GMC. Fortunately, I did not get into an accident, but I drive 60 miles a day to work and this could have been much worse. The total cost to have it fixed was almost $3,000. I did not have the extended bumper to bumper warranty, so I had to pay out of pocket.after reading many complaints about this specific problem, I called GMC corporate to make an official complaint with them. If you own this car and are anywhere from 40-70K miles, please have this checked out. I have 2 small children and I could have easily crashed if I didn't have my car inspected. This needs to be a recall immediately. People buy this specific car, because they have children and want a safe vehicle. The fact that they have not recalled this issue is awful. I love american cars, but I am losing faith in them. Please report this problem, so that maybe GMC will be forced to recall the issue and save lives.

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #15

May 292020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
2016 GMC Acadia slt-1, 58,000 miles. Total loss of power steering backing out of a parking space with no prior symptoms. The car would barely turn at low speeds and made a loud howling noise when wheel was turned. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they tell me I need the power steering pump, rack and pinion and all new hoses. No prior wrecks or issues. This is ridiculous to be hit with a $4100 bill with no explanation of why this could happen.

- Mount Pleasant, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 012020

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Power steering gives out at low speeds. Took it in and was told it's a cracked power steering fluid pump. $2700. Car has 55,000 miles and has been maintained by dealership.

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #13

Dec 232019

Acadia

  • 37,000 miles

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

My powering steering pump stopped functioning while driving, making it very hard to turn the wheel at low speeds, as if there is no power steering at all. Took it to the dealership and was told it's a wear and tear problem and after investigating it I noticed they have recalled over 1 million cars for steering failure.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #12

Nov 012019

Acadia

  • 96,000 miles
Seat belt for driver does not secure. GMC states not covered under warranty leek in power steering. Known issue with GMC and no recalls

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

problem #11

Jan 012020

Acadia

  • 30,000 miles
I have a 2016 GMC Acadia, with 30,000 miles, well maintained. Suddenly my steering wheel is locked while making turns at a low speed. This was very scary as my wheel was completely locked and I had kids in my car. Vehicles running good when at high speed. I have seen so many complain with the same model and same issue, yet, GMC has not posted any recall on their very dangerous issue.

- Tarzana, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 132019

Acadia

  • 58,000 miles
Power steering pump failure of front seal resulting in random failure of power steering at low speed, parking and turns at intersections etc leading to near collisions. No warning prior to failures. 58,000 miles

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #9

Nov 192019

Acadia

  • 0 miles
Vehicle taken in for faulty caliper, then told by dealership we needed to fix a leaking power steering line, we paid to fix both. Taken in today and told we have a leaking power steering gear. Safety issue $2,065. 58,200 miles. Could loose power steering due to multiple leaks. Have not lost steering yet. Must get fixed.

- Boxford, MA, USA

problem #8

Sep 082019

Acadia

  • 50,000 miles
Power steering pump failure. While driving my 2016 GMC Acadia on a trip of about 350 miles (mostly highway) everything seemed to be working fine until near the end of the trip. As I exited the highway and started slowing down the steering became very stiff and by the time I came to a stop light I could not turn the steering wheel at all. When the light turned green I pressed the gas pedal and as the RPM increased the power steering pump worked good enough to make the turn and get me home. Luckily I only had about a mile to go. I checked the fluid and it was low so I topped it off and raised the front tires off the ground in order to turn lock to lock to try to get any air out of the system. After lowering the vehicle I tried to drive it and I still could not turn the steering wheel without pressing the gas. As I looked further I noticed that the hose that leads to the power steering pump has fluid all over it where it goes through a grommet attached to the rear of the engine. The grommet in the metal bracket was falling apart and the hose appears to be chaffing on the metal bracket. The leak is very small and there's no telling how long it has been rubbing the bracket. The vehicle is out of warranty but only has 50K miles on it and has never been wrecked or had any repairs done that could have caused this. It appears to be an improperly installed bracket/grommet that caused the problem.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #7

Sep 052019

Acadia

  • 39,000 miles
My vehicle is a 2016 GMC Acadia denali with AWD. The power steering was very stiff while at low speeds when the weather was cold last winter. During this spring and summer the steering continued to get worse and now there is no power steering at low speeds and low RPM. The vehicle just turned 39,000 miles. This makes driving very dangerous while making turns and trying to park the vehicle. The vehicle is now in the dealers shop and they have said the power steering pump and steering gear both need to be replaced as the pump is failing and the steering gear is leaking internally.

- Flat Rock, MI, USA

problem #6

Aug 312019

Acadia

  • 78,800 miles
On Saturday (8/31/2019), I noticed that the ac in my 2016 Acadia (about 79,000 miles) wouldn't turn on. My vehicle has two evaporators, one in the front for the front ac, and one in the rear for the rear ac. They are connected by an aluminum tube (GM part #23199274). When I took the vehicle into the GMC dealer, they showed me that a connector on the power steering fluid (psf) line, which runs beside this aluminum tube (see photo 1), had rubbed up against the aluminum and worn a hole in it, allowing all the refrigerant to leak out (photo 2). There is supposed to be a little rubber piece that fits over and protects the coolant line (you can sort-of see it in the pictures), but that piece is small and slides down, exposing the aluminum tube. The technician then told/showed me how he usually bends or moves the psf line so that it doesn't rub against the aluminum coolant tube. This indicates that GM is aware of the issue and has done nothing in an attempt to fix it, even though this inherent design flaw allows the entire coolant charge to leak into the atmosphere. Needless to say, since refrigerant is not exactly environmentally friendly, I find it concerning that GM is apparently aware of this issue and hasn't taken the necessary steps (like a voluntary recall) to fix it. I called the GM customer service line and made them aware of the situation, and they said "there is nothing they can do." I'm hoping this complaint forces them to resolve the issue and stop leaking full refrigerant charges into the atmosphere. Note that this would also be an issue if the situation were reversed and it was the ac coolant tube that chafed through the psf hose. If the psf connector was even 1 cm off, then hypothetically the coolant tube could rub through the psf hose and cause a failure of the power steering system. It is also desirable to avoid this as well, for obvious reasons.

- Abita Springs, LA, USA

problem #5

Aug 192019

Acadia

  • 59,670 miles
Power steering has completely gone out. Car is 3 years old this shouldn't happen

- Seymour, TN, USA

problem #4

Jul 032019

Acadia

  • 93,000 miles
While driving down the road, we went to make a turn. The steering wheel would would not turn. We actually had to cross into oncoming traffic up on a sidewalk. Since then it has continued to work and then suddenly stop working.

- Forsyth, GA, USA

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