CarComplaints.com Notes: Ahh, the ole' sophomore slump. The 2008 Acadia suffers from widespread transmission failure around 75,000 miles.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
143,621 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.

2008 GMC Acadia electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #107

Jan 202018

Acadia

  • 130,000 miles

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

The vehicle turns off abruptly while driving. The vehicle as turned off in a parked-idling position, rolling at five mph, and even between 60-70 mph. Most of the time when the car shuts down, you are not able to restart the car without removing the key out of the ignition and inserting it to the on position cycling that motion four to five times. I have researched and spoken to other owners with the same make, model, and year as I have and they are dealing with the same issue. I am certain I am not the only complaint regarding this issue. I am worried about the safety for my family and myself because as mentioned before, this happens at random. There should be some kind of recall for this issue, however there is not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #106

May 012012

Acadia

  • 65,000 miles
The sunroof drainage tubes get clogged and leaked water which caused the fuse box in the dash to be filled with water. Also flooding all the floors and the battery compartment inside the car. Which in return causes the car to not shut off when you turn the key off and take it out. It also causes all kinds of sensors and check engine lights to come on on the dash like service airbag service stable track causes the traction control to turn off falsely tells you that engine oil needs changed also causes the battery to go dead for no reason also displays ac off engine hot

- Alexandria, OH, USA

problem #105

Nov 232017

Acadia

  • 120,000 miles
Lift gate begins to open and starts going back down 3/4 of the way. Causing heads/faces to be hit by lift gate with no warning.

- Greenville, MI, USA

problem #104

Nov 102017

Acadia

  • miles

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

When it rains, water gets into circuit box and shorts out electrical system. Vehicle will not start. When vehicle is jumped, vehicle's performance is very poor, check engine light remains on. I was informed this could be the results of sunroof drainage tubes not working and causing water to leak into the vehicle from the "a" posts. This has happened whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion.

- Newtonville, NJ, USA

problem #103

Jul 252008

Acadia

  • miles
Power-liftgate-problems-power liftgate reverses while opening and closing causing me to get hit in the head I bought this vehicle used July 25 2008. To see this happen go to you tube for a video

- Gypsum, KS, USA

problem #102

Jun 222017

Acadia

  • 160,000 miles
What's not wrong with this car"? I bought it used with an extended warranty. After a year everything went downhill. It has been in and out the GMC service at lease 3 times a year. I don't even know where to start. The airbag light is on but it isn't covered under the airbag recall. What about safety" there has been a check stability trac and traction lights on as well on several occasions. When those lights come on the vehicle decelerated while driving across the Kentucky bridge which almost caused a 12 car pile up. In addition, it also skips gears. When trying to speed up it jerks into the next gear like a hiccup. The dealership stated these problems were electric and wear covered under my extended warranty. I suggested that maybe the transmission was bad. However, they stated otherwise. Literally, 4 months later the transmission is out. But what a surprise no longer under warranty. Now I'm looking at a $5,000 bill. The service department stated that it is transmission failure due to an electric issue (out of my control). There is nothing that I could have done to prevent it from happening. But after talking to GM they, basically explained that they don't stand by their product after 100,000 and that they can't prove that the issues are actually manufacturers defect. I strongly disagree as there are hundreds of people experiencing the same hardships as me with the 2008 vehicle. On [xxx], for GMC Acadia, 2008 is the worst year with the most complaints for transmission failure. How aren't these already recalled by now? they are nothing but junk! not work anything. Even a GMC service rep. Said these were the worse year and get them in the shop all the time. Why won't GMC just isssue a recall and take them off the market. I have all the proof of regular maintenance and service receipts. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #101

Jun 152017

Acadia

  • 164,000 miles

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

We have a 2008 GMC Acadia that now has approximately 164,000 miles. It was recently found out that a water leak has caused the airbag system to be come completely disabled. Water leaks in these model vehicles are a known issue and GM has put out technical service bulletins about these leaks and how to fix them. Because our vehicle is over the mileage limit the local dealership is saying GM will not warranty the leak repair or the damage to the airbag system from the leak. We are now faced with a bill of $1600 to repair the airbag system and unknown amount to repair the water leak and any other damage caused by it to the vehicle. What I do not understand is why a leaking sunroof with admitted factory defect issues from the manufacture has a mileage limit for warranty repairs. I can understand a time limit. This issue has now made our vehicle completely unsafe for my family to drive and ride in.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #100

Apr 302017

Acadia

  • 118,000 miles
I hear water swishing around in the ceiling, however nothing seems to be wet. The sunroof is always closed. Twenty minutes into the drive to work, the emergency brake light on the dash board came on while I was driving on the highway (even though the brake was not engaged).... the dash brake light and chime sound continued until I reached my destination. When I finally stopped and turn the car off and on...both had stopped. After completing my work day, I started the car again and the emergency brake dash light came on again...the brake was not engaged....I turned the car off and restarted...then it went away. I still here water in the roof when I turn corners.

- Sherwood, AR, USA

problem #99

Apr 152015

Acadia

  • miles
There are many recalls on this vehicle. Did dealership says that they fix them and yet they're still not resolved. These issues include the electrical system, the airbag system, the stabilitrak system, issues with water leaking through the sunroof, L]]as well as water leaking into the interior lights. There are also issues with liftgate working correctly. All of these are issues with my Acadia. I need to know what to do to handle this properly. This car has turned into a death trap. I have been trying for years to get these things resolved. I have got to run around the entire time.

- Brownfield, TX, USA

problem #98

Dec 312016

Acadia

  • 0 miles
During times of heavy rain or when driving through a car wash, water enters vehicle interior. Water can be heard moving around in headliner of rear while vehicle being driven. With vehicle in motion water can be seen leaking out of air bag label on driver side panel between windshield and door. Inspected drain tubes from sunroof and found them to be completely clogged. Upon clearing debris clogging the tubes an exessive amount of water came shooting out and tubes drained for about an hour a non stop stream. Approximately a week or so later, started having problems starting vehicle. Tested battery and it was fine. Tested alternator and starter, both fine. Two weeks later car wouldn't start again. Upon aaa arriving to jump my vehicle we discovered the entire battery compartment behind passenger seat was completely filled and battery submerged in water. Further inspection found entire floor board saturated and headliner. Mold was also found on seats, seat belts, carpet, air vents, sun visors, and door panels.

- Rancho Santa Fe, CA, USA

problem #97

Nov 242016

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 142,000 miles

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

When it rains, water leaks from the air bags. Water also leaks from the light fixtures and dvd player in the middle seating. Water also comes in somewhere under the dashboard/electrical panel area, onto the passenger side floor. The last time it rained, there was standing water on my passenger side floor. This has happened while driving it in the rain and while it was parked. Stablitrak and traction control lights are constantly coming on - even after looked at. - I have pictures of lights on. Also constant service engine soon light problems.

- Wellsburg, IA, USA

problem #96

Nov 132016

Acadia

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While the vehicle was stationary, rain water entered into the cabin, which caused some electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #95

Oct 132016

Acadia

  • miles
I have an airbag warning light on and and a message on the display. Took to dealer and the said they already performed the recall that was on the vehicle and wanted to charge me $675 to open up the dash and see what is wrong. The code that comes up is too high resistance in airbag system. I am filing this complaint for two reasons, one is how do I know they actually performed the procedure in the first place and, two can't it be defective again. My concern is safety in nature that my airbag won't open in an accident.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #94

Nov 122014

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 77,924 miles
Check engine lite goes on and off appears to be timing chain. We have a 2008 GMC Acadia that has had over $4000 in repairs since we purchased it in 2010. The most current is that the timing chain needs to be replaced at the cost of $3500. I have read all 167 complaints from other customers posted on the Consumer Affairs website regarding the 2007-15 GMC Acadia. I compiled a list of all reported problems by year/make other customers reported on their Acadias. GMC has extended warranty for the timing chain for 2007 and 2009, not 2008 though. All of our previous repairs have been reported by others also. 2 of my repairs had recalls after we had paid for the repair. Have been reimbursed by GMC for parts only for stabilizer kit, power steering pump assembly and rack N pinion but not the liftgate yet. I contacted GMC customer care requesting they look into including the 2008 but was told it isn't included and all they could do is give us a $20000 voucher for a new or leased GMC. (case #8-1702070910) I tried to contact GMC at a higher level (gmprioritycare@GM.com) sending them a request to review 2008 recalls for sway bar end links. Front and back rotors, sun roof leaking, front gas struts, purge valve, vent control solenoid and amplifier. Included a copy of my repair log and summary of complaints on Consumer Affairs for 2007-15 Acadias. They responded within 36 hours by having tiffany (the original contact at GMC) telling again all they can do is the $2000 voucher. So I can only assume they did no research at all and I'm out of luck. I think GMC needs to be held responsible for their products and customers and not tell me they a man made product, they don't last forever. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Northbrook, IL, USA

problem #93

Oct 202016

Acadia

  • 99,500 miles
Front sunroof leaks and fills up floorboards with water. Known issue with sunroof drains clogging and poorly sealed sunroof design. Floorboards hold electrical equipment.

- Caseyville, IL, USA

problem #92

Apr 082011

Acadia

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that this was the second time the sun roof drain line shifted and leaked water down the headliner. The failure flooded the driver side of the vehicle, side air bag, and visor without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the sun roof drained cube shifted and needed to be replaced. Also, the carpet and panel of the driver side had mold and needed to be to replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Churchville, PA, USA

problem #91

Aug 232016

Acadia

  • 110,000 miles
Daytime running lights bulbs repeatedly burned out and now the wire harness has melted down. Fuse failed to trip. Damage has now been caused to the entire drl assembly (melting, see photo). Additionally I am concerned that whatever caused the bulb and wiring to melt will cause a vehicle fire and endanger my family. There are many cases of the drl bulb and harness melting, but my local GM dealer said there was no recall when I called to discuss the issue. GM/Saturn released a letter authorizing paid repairs, that was valid from 2011-2013, but these vehicles are still on the road, and it needs to be a recall regardless of warranty status. The replacement parts have been recalled--GM knows there is an issue with these components.

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #90

Jun 132016

Acadia

  • 108,153 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. When the contact attempted to open the sun roof compartment, it was filled with water which affected the radio, turn signal volume, and radio. In addition, the electrical components that ran from the door into the side wall of all four doors, were filled with water. The vehicle also failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the blowing amplifier and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 108,153.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #89

Jun 022016

Acadia

  • 94,119 miles
I just replaced my left side low beam light for the second time in the past 12 months. When I pulled out the old bulb, it looked burnt on the tip of instead of the first time I treplaced it a year ago when the wires became loose and burnt out like a typical light bulb. Today is the second time within a week that the speakers went out and there was no sound coming out at all. The main fuse is good and I drained the water from the connectors on all the doors. There seems to be a shortage somewhere in the system because it would take 5-10 minutes for the sound to come back on. Does anyone know any solutions to fix this problem diy instead of taking it to the dealer?

- Fort Campbell, KY, USA

problem #88

Apr 072016

Acadia

  • 140,000 miles
I own a 2008 GMC Acadia I have had it used since Jan 2015 I have had it in dealership almost every 3 months since I bought it. I was recently driving and had a fire in the passenger heated seat where my daughter was sitting and it burned a small hole in her jeans so far GMC is checking to see if its a defective equipment failure or not? in the mean time my sunroof has quit working and now my roof is leaking and my car smells like mold. The whole electrical system is going crazy with flashes of interior lights. I also had the vehicle stop on me in the middle of parking and found out the power steering pump needed to be replaced. They need to have a recall on these vehicles because our children ride with us and they are unsafe especially now that her jeans are burned and she has a small pink spot from the heated seat. The dealership told me today likely the seat wont be replaced and if its not I will be contacting me a lawyer. My children S safety come first. Hopefully the will also do a recall on the electrical equipment and the sunroof leaking because our vehicles are not safe after water gets onto all the electrical devices and shorts out and may cause a fire next.

- Bassett, VA, USA

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