2008 GMC Acadia
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 428 |
| 2008 | 854 |
| 2009 | 331 |
| 2010 | 343 |
| 2011 | 269 |
| 2012 | 296 |
| 2013 | 135 |
| 2014 | 461 |
| 2015 | 243 |
| 2016 | 235 |
| 2017 | 702 |
| 2018 | 390 |
| 2019 | 381 |
| 2020 | 99 |
| 2021 | 147 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 62 |
| 2026 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
33% of complaints: power train — 280 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.
CRASH INJURY18% of complaints: electrical system — 154 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.
CRASH FIRE INJURY18% of complaints: air bags — 150 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Deer hit me on the highway at 2am on December 26th. No air bags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240111
Also filed under ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY WIFE FELL ASLEEP RAN OFF THE ROAD STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND A LARGE DIRT EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE BELT TENSIONERS,SHE HIT THE STEERING COLUMN SO HARD SHE IT BROKE THE COLUMN AND BROKE HER STERNUM.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180204
Also filed under SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 40 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130513
16% of complaints: steering — 135 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2008 GMC ACADIA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND BURNT TO NOTHING BUT THE FRAME. LUCKILY WE ALL GOT OUT OK. PRIOR TO THIS OUR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP DUE TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE COMING APART.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080403
15% of complaints: engine — 124 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES EMMITING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121026
SAFETY TIMELINE
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WW
Campaign 08V441000 — check if this car was fixed
GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER CRANK ARM, DRIVER'S SIDE LINK, AND A CRANK ARM NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN O OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, SATURN AT
Campaign 08V410000 — check if this car was fixed
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE E
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEE
Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of Headlamp Illumination
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014.
Campaign 14V118000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016.
Campaign 15V415000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 GMC Acadia — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (280 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (154 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (150 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V441000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V410000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V118000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V415000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 GMC Acadia reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 GMC Acadia is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Acadia?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Acadia have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.