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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,359 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2008 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Mar 012018

Acadia

  • miles

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

Car rolls when in park. I have viewed hundreds of comments online of the same make/model/year doing the same thing.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #38

Feb 152018

Acadia

  • 106,000 miles
My 2008 GMC Acadia leaks water in several different locations inside the vehicle when it rains. It has leaked water through the air bags and I'm now concerned that the air bags could be water damaged and compromised. It leaks through electrical components. It smells like mold and mildew in the car. Condensation builds up in the car frequently after it rains. The car will also sputter and act like it is going to stall out while driving on the highway sometimes. It tells me to 'service traction controls' and 'service stabilitrack'.

- Stevensville, MD, USA

problem #37

Jan 202018

Acadia

  • 130,000 miles
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 #36

Oct 012015

Acadia

  • 83,000 miles

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

Bought vehicle with only 23K miles on it, transmission started acting up within 6 months of driving it, taken to a dealer, said nothing wrong, another year later got worse, took it in to a different dealer, nothing wrong, 6 months later took it in before going on vacation, nothing wrong, but had problems while on vacation, 6 months later, 1,500 miles away from home on vacation, driving down a 75 mile an hour speed limit divided highway, transmission went out with no warning, no dash warning, took in to a transmission dealer (since we couldn't get into a dealer) and said we wouldn't make it home the way it was. 5 grand later and a mess of a vacation later we were on our way home. Less than 3 months later, tighten gas cap light on dash, check tire pressure light on and check engine light on. Found out online that this model and make and year had numerous issues with transmission, don't understand how there was no recall and how GM got away with it. Oh, and we were under extended warranty in the beginning where they said nothing wrong, and as soon as warranty was expired, boom! transmission had to be fixed! transmission dealer said the damage was from a cheap $15 part that caused us to have to spend 5 grand while on vacation. We have all shop paperwork showing the paper trail what we tried to get fixed.

- Knox, IN, USA

problem #35

Dec 032017

Acadia

  • 57,000 miles
Had the vehicle in the garage cleaning it out. Hatch was up and doors were open. Vehicle was not running. I was in the back of the vehicle putting the 2 back seats down. I had 1 leg inside the vehicle and the other hanging out of the back. All of a sudden the back gate came crashing down with no warning onto my leg. I could not get out and had to yell for help for someone to life the lift gate off of my leg. I have not seen a doctor yet but I feel like I need to as my leg is swollen and purple.

- North Pole, AK, USA

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problem #34

Oct 042017

Acadia

  • 191,150 miles
The most recent heavy downpour of rain this past week resulted in water pouring in from my headliner!! down both visors and down seatbelt posts. This is an obvious problem that has occurred on the exact model vehicle and year but with different VIN numbers associated. I called GM and they stated it's on me to fix. It's the exact defect a huge recall was issued on several years ago, like I said for different VIN but same make, model, and year, and it involves the same new kits needing installed that were for that recall. Presently waiting for my appt at my local GM dealer to remedy this problem and not happy about the case I opened with GM corporation to basically be advised this morning 'oh well... wasn't for your particular VIN so you're out of pocket for this'. not cool!!! please advise what can be done/issue a recall for this!!

- Gravois Mills, MO, USA

problem #33

Jul 072017

Acadia

  • 122,000 miles

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

Transmission gone completely

- West Monroe, GA, USA

problem #32

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 #31

Apr 212017

Acadia

  • 96,000 miles
2nd time to dealer for water leak from sunroof (this time from sunroof that does not open). Soaking wet passenger floor, fuse box opened from water, water coming from side pillars. Diagnosis last time was tubes, this time window replaced and entire roof sealed. This is so dangerous, especially water running thru fuse box/electrical system. Common problem, tsb's and yet no recall by GM. Dealer refuses to honor tsb & request GM pay for repairs. $400 just for labor. Reading all over the internet plus tsbs, water damage is common for 2008 Acadia and future vehicles. The government allowing GM to continue putting our lives at risk & not forcing a recall is ridiculous. I understand normal wear & tear but GM Acadia's are defective, all of my repairs have been due to defects!

- Shillington, PA, USA

problem #30

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 #29

Dec 312016

Acadia

  • 0 miles

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

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 #28

Feb 222017

Acadia

  • 167,000 miles
The engine stutters and jolts, traction control keeps kicking on and car is stalling right in the middle of the road.

- Terryville, CT, USA

problem #27

Jan 042017

Acadia

  • miles
I'm having transmission problems diagnosed by two different mechanics. I found that GMC announced a technical service bulletin for this specific repair. However, I was told GMC might not cover the cost of repairs because the problem is "too new, " so I have to continue to drive my car -- with the problem -- until it becomes severe enough for a proper code to come up on diagnostics. This makes me feel very unsafe and angry.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #26

Nov 022016

Acadia

  • 117,000 miles
Running hot

- Sumter, SC, USA

problem #25

Oct 022016

Acadia

  • miles
Recently we had a lot of rain and I noticed it once before when it rains constantly water entered the inside of the car. Had the car checked everything seemed okay but on 2 October 2016 the rain was coming in the care through the airbags and when I turned the car off the engine kept running. The following morning no rain but the car wouldn't start and the key got stuck in the ignition. I find this to be costly when the battery not even a year old. Just need to have this issue resolve because putting my car in a garage on rainy days is not an option for me.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #24

Sep 182016

Acadia

  • 125,000 miles
1) a transmission switch plate error - warranty repair (GMC never paid my hotel/rental car claim. On hwy with family. 2) transmission issue - paid close to $2000. I asked if this would lead to transmission failure; they told me no, car would be good to go.the person who helped me no longer works at the el paso dealership when I reported he tried to overcharge me. Driving on hwy in el paso with kids. 3) transmission - paid $4000+ for transmission (GMC claims not related to the previous repair); discussed with service dept if we should spend more money on the car...they told me the new transmission would work. (mileage was 125K) the transmission failed while moving from el paso to Colorado springs...no safe place to stop. 4) 2 mos later (now) - claim the timing belt failed and rh tie rods need repair and they say I declined a repair. I never discussed this needed repair and the possibility of a $2600 repair following this $4000 repair...so if they mentioned it, they never said you have $6600 worth of work in front of you. I already was concerned about paying $4000 after paying $2000. It happened on highway. GMC is more than aware of these issues with their cars and they are leaving their customers to deal with it. I have a 2002 GMC Envoy and never paid anything close in repairs. There are serious problems with this make and model. We are also a military family who travels quite a bit. We started getting errors on road trips and we even had the original warranty repair while we were out of town, causing us to be stranded on the side of the highway in the Washington DC area when our car just stopped. GMC is showing a total disregard for its customers. They are aware of these issues and they are not taking any responsibility for them. They are putting their customers in physical danger and wreaking havoc on our finances. This is disgusting and unacceptable.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #23

Jan 302016

Acadia

  • 133,315 miles
Takata recall I took my vehicle to have recall on power lift gate completed. (15240). Upon completion of recall, lift gate became inoperable. Dealer now wants me to pay $500 to get it working again. Lift gate worked fine when vehicle was driven in for service. Please advise what action I can take.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #22

Dec 162015

Acadia

  • miles
My 2008 GMC Acadia leaks when it rains, the floor boards fill with water & water comes through the interior lights causing them to shorten, blink. The power windows got stuck wouldn't go down almost smashed my kids hand. The worse part driving on interstate at 65-70 traffic slows to 40 and your vehicle doesn't go almost causing the worse accident ever. Seems this wave plate, shift solenoid is a manufacturer defect especially since I was only a few months after initial purchase and the truck was returned to dealer for same issue so that means the transmission they replaced the bad one with was so bad or reached its time out mileage. This should be a recall if it happened shortly after purchase (purchased used) then it happens again with the replacement transmission and all the threads in have read every owner is experiencing this, someone will have bad accident possibly death. Does death have to occur for us to get better resolve and make GMC take care of this. Over $5,000 was tough to christmas time

- Webster, TX, USA

problem #21

Dec 232015

Acadia

  • 94,000 miles
I had a recall for my driver side, side impact air bag wire harness. The dealer in duluth mn (kolar) fixed it but light came on for check engine. Brought it back and they are telling me it is the pps sensor for the passenger airbag. There is a recall for this, but not on my Acadia. They want $600 plus labor to replace. Totaling around $950. Had another recall for the power lift gate, stating that the struts could possibly fail prematurely, causing the power lift gate to drop. As I was loading the back of the vehicle, the lift gate suddenly dropped on my head. I brought it to kolar in duluth mn and told them that the struts from the recall were shot and needed replacement. I picked the vehicle up after a day of them telling me that the recall had been successful. A week after I took the car home, the lift gate fell on my wife. I come to find out that kolar never replaced the struts, even after me talking to the mechanic and him assuring me that they would be changed out. It is now sitting at the dealer waiting for back ordered struts to come in to be installed.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #20

Dec 312015

Acadia

  • 108,155 miles
The airbag on/off lights would both light up at the same time so you didn't know if it was functioning properly. The warning "service airbag" came on. This was while driving any speed, any type road, also while the car was in park. Key would not come out of ignition, the engine would turn off but electrical would still be working. Also the power saver mode kicked in and we had to have the vehicle jumped.

- Dodge Center, MN, USA

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