Is the 2009 GMC Acadia reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 GMC Acadia is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Acadia?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 GMC Acadia have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

2009 GMC Acadia

◆ Worse than typical

2009 GMC Acadia
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 331
Recalls: 7
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Steering

Complaints per year

2009: 331 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2007	428
2008	854
2009	331
2010	343
2011	269
2012	296
2013	135
2014	462
2015	243
2016	236
2017	704
2018	395
2019	385
2020	106
2021	150
2022	49
2023	44
2024	60
2025	66
2026	9

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

34% · 114 reports

Most commonly citing pump and rack.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

Bought a 2009 GMC Acadia in February had it for 2 weeks and was pulling out of a fast food restaurant getting my 3 year old daughter some food as I was pulling out I lost all power steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-06

Power train

22% · 72 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The stabilizer/traction control keeps going off and it will stay off.i can turn,hit a bump or start it up and the traction control/stabilizer system is off.i almost had a accident on the freeway in the rain because it turned off out of nowhere and I...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-15

Also filed under Electrical system and vehicle speed control

Engine

20% · 67 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the timing chain replaced. While the mechanic was test driving the vehicle at 30 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-12-04

Electrical system

14% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing ignition.

FIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

My 2009 GMC Acadia was sitting in my mothers driveway, when a neighborhood came and said my car was on fire. It was not running and no signs of arson.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-21

The vehicle is equipped with a gear driven power liftgate that opens and closes the rear hatch at the touch of a button. I approached the rear hatch of the Acadia to load groceries, and signaled it to open.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-26

Also filed under Structure

Exterior lighting

11% · 38 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2008-11-26Seat belts08V615000 GM is recalling 16,667 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn outlook vehicles for failing to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no.…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the safety belt buckles in the second and third rows, and replace them if necessary. The recall began on November 26, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080…

Check if this car was fixed →
▮
2009Complaint volume 331 complaints filed for this model year.
R

2009-03-15Power train09V073000 General Motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, G6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2010-06-11Electrical system10V240000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2010-08-18Seat belts10V375000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet traverse, Buick enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn outlook vehicles. The second row seat side trim shield restricts the upward…

Remedy: Dealers will modify the second row seat side trim shields. If a safety belt buckle is damaged, dealers will replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on August 18, 2010. Owners may…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
I
2012-06-04Defect petitionClosed 2014-07-24 Loss of Headlamp Illumination
R

2014-06-16Air bags14V118000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2014-07-11Seat belts14V266000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured...

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-11-15Structure15V415000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2019-05-28Recall queryClosed 2020-08-31 Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
I
2020-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 2024-08-30 Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

Buy-smart checklist

2009 GMC Acadia — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Steering: 114 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 72 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 67 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 08V615000 · Seat belts
Recall 09V073000 · Power train
Recall 10V240000 · Electrical system
Recall 10V375000 · Seat belts
Recall 14V118000 · Air bags
Recall 14V266000 · Seat belts
Recall 15V415000 · Structure

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 GMC Acadia reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 GMC Acadia is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Acadia?: The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 GMC Acadia have?: 7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2009 GMC Acadia

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Steering

Power train

Engine

Electrical system

Exterior lighting

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years