2012 GMC Acadia
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.
16% of complaints: steering — 46 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar.
CRASH INJURY15% of complaints: structure — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and hatchback/liftgate.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The back seat driver's side door shut with such impact as to amputate the finger from an adult. Vehicle was parked on incline when front driver's side door shut, the back door also shut.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250725
I OPENED THE REAR TAILGATE AND WHILE TAKING AN OBJECT OUT OF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD WITH GREAT FORCE. AFTER PHYSICALLY RECOVERING, I TESTED THE TAILGATE AND THE ISSUE REPEATED ITSELF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150122
AS POWER LIFTGATE WAS OPENING, I STARTED TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM BACK OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20141006
15% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file.
CRASH14% of complaints: electrical system — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Hello so I notice 3 weeks ago my headlights keep cutting off and on then a week later my radio stopped working, The floor of the driver side is always wet after it rains.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260805
Also filed under AIR BAGS
12% of complaints: engine — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOI
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Campaign 12V151000 — check if this car was fixed
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 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.
Campaign 14V266000 — 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
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021.
Campaign 21V246000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 GMC Acadia — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (46 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (44 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (43 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V151000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V118000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V266000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V415000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V246000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 GMC Acadia reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 GMC Acadia is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Acadia?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 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.