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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
143,464 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 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #125

Nov 262015

Acadia

  • 115,000 miles

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

Vehicle was southbound on county road and attempted to make a right turn at the intersection, when the car struck the South embankment of the T intersection, as driver was unable to navigate the turn. None of the side or front airbags in the car deployed as a result of the crash. I am also unsure if the seat belt had operated correctly (seat belt was being worn at the time of the crash). The driver's head hit the side window and as a result he sustained a head injury and an eye injury resulting in optic nerve damage and complete loss of vision in the eye. I understand there were problems with the airbags on these vehicles with a possible recall issued. I do have all the corresponding accident reports, medical reports, etc.

- Scribner, NE, USA

problem #124

Nov 202018

Acadia

  • 0 miles
When I turn the ignition key to off when I came home of work the vehicle stays running for 10 to 50 seconds before it stalls out.I try to turn on the ignition 4 hours later the battery is dead.my 2008 arcadia is parked at my home. I will need a jump start to go anywhere because the battery is dead.I have to unplug the battery after I park the 2008 arcadia.when I come home or try to start the vehicle.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #123

Jan 112020

Acadia

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced rough idling while driven. The contact stated that the ignition key was switched to the off position however, the vehicle remained running for approximately seven minutes before turning off. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle the following day. The vehicle was then jump and started immediately. The vehicle was started and sat idling for a few minutes. The contact again attempted to shut the vehicle off however, the vehicle remained idling for an additional 15 minutes. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the electrical failure was common in similar model vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

- Madisonville, KY, USA

problem #122

Dec 192019

Acadia

  • 180,000 miles

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

I've had my GMC Acadia for about 4 years now. I initially (within 30 days of purchase) had issues with the window motor because my windows weren't going up when pressing the buttons on either side up front. Carmax fixed the issue. Well, I'm still having the same problem today except the passenger side button works occasionally to roll up the front window. The driver side button works fine for the driver side window and both of the rear windows. It doesn't work to roll up the front passenger side window. This happens whether my vehicle is parked or in motion.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #121

Sep 012019

Acadia

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. After turning the ignition switch to the off position, the engine would not immediately shut off. Also, the vehicle would not immediately start when turning the ignition switch to the on position. The contact stated that the battery continued to lose power after turning the vehicle off and water leaked into the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and highly Buick GMC (3535 West loop 820 South, fort worth, tx) were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #120

Nov 132019

Acadia

  • 156,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. When the contact opened any of the vehicle doors, the interior lighting flickered on and off. Also, while driving various speeds, the stabilitrak and service brake system warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The contact also mentioned that an obd code reader discovered that the passenger air bags were defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The contact associated NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V118000 (air bags) and 10V240000 (electrical system) with the failures. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

problem #119

Sep 112019

Acadia

  • 85,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. When the vehicle was started, the seat belt and service air bag indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to schumacher Buick GMC of North palm beach (561-282-1957, located at 3720 northlake blvd ste C, lake park, fl 33403) where it was diagnosed that the sensor in the seat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #118

Oct 212019

Acadia

  • miles
My car has been leaking inside due to manufacturer defect with the seal of the windshield and in top and causing electrical issues for car one example transmission control module and etc

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #117

Mar 212017

Acadia

  • 90,000 miles
This car has leaked since the day I bought it. I have taken it to the dealership I bought it from multiple times. The last time they looked at it they told me that there was a leak but they could not find where it was. My amp has shorted out due to all the water and I can imagine what's next. I am so scared to drive my car because of what could go out next. I wish GMC would do something about all of our issues with the same water leak! I am getting pretty tired of getting rained on inside my car.

- Newton, KS, USA

problem #116

Jul 102019

Acadia

  • 153,934 miles
The sunroof leaks in the front driver seat, passenger, and water comes out of the air vents in the back seat as well as the dvd player and air bags. The battery will not hold a charge and now with a new battery the car stalls when trying to start it. The car was parked in my driveway. The water leak happened in December 2018.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #115

Jul 012019

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 152,800 miles

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

Takata recall it keeps shutting completely down in the middle of highway and this affects everything steering, complete loss of power to vehicle. No codes to indicate something is wrong !!!! extremely dangerous this has continued to occur even after parts have been replaced brand new. More than 5 times already. This will most certainly lead to death. I have 3 children with me at all times. That's 4 lives that could be lost because of this problem!!!!. we have been extremely lucky because it has shift down in the middle of the night and bridges where there is nowhere to get on the side but remain in the lanes where traffic is 70 mph and up!!!! this needs to be recalled immediately!!!!

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #114

Feb 042019

Acadia

  • miles
This has been the most unsafe car I have ever owned. I can not even trade it in the get a safer car. We have come so close to having many accidents with this car. The steering just freezes up the engine will just shut down will driving. We have had the transmission replaced once and not it needs replaced again. We are not hard on our cars..I just hope it does not come down to having a accident before someone sees how bad this car is.. this happens off and on all the time hard to put the dates and times down when this happens, we take into a dealer and it does not happen with them or the cost is just crazy.

- Batesville, IN, USA

problem #113

Jan 312019

Acadia

  • 1,480,000 miles
The vehicle is having issues with transmission, there is a recall on other vehicles of the same make and model in a large range of years. The recall is a transmission solenoid. However because under the VIN number it does not show there is a recall this will not be fixed free by dealership. This is very dangerous because it happens randomly while driving.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #112

Oct 022018

Acadia

  • 82,000 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. This is copied and pasted from a previous post because I have the exact same issue. No accident so far because I was able to get off highway safely while car stalled at 70 mph.

- Donna, TX, USA

problem #111

Jul 062018

Acadia

  • 135,000 miles
My 2008 GMC Acadia began displaying service air bag and turning off the passenger airbag intermittently when a passenger was in the front passenger seat due to the wiring harness under the passenger seat. After a few months it now stays on all the time. GMC said it's not under a recall but I have read several complaints about it with the same year make and model stating it's a recall this happens when in motion and while stoped

- Dalzell, SC, USA

problem #110

Jun 052018

Acadia

  • 75,000 miles
This is the worst viechle we have every bought. You name it an it has gone wrong. Transmission twice, timing, power steering, tailgate, we have never pulled anything with our car. When it rains the steering locks up.. one minute we are going 70 and bam the car turns off. I can keep going. GMC pretty much just said oh well. This have happened so many times I lost track.

- Batesville, IN, USA

problem #109

May 202018

Acadia

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact noticed water leaking into the vehicle from the windshield and sun roof, which caused the radio, wiper blades, and turn signals to fail. The contact mentioned that the battery was moist due to the water. The vehicle was taken to mauer Buick GMC (1111 mn-110, inver grove heights, mn 55077), but was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fee. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the radio amplifier needed to be replaced; however, the cause of the leak was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #108

Mar 062018

Acadia

  • miles
This car came with a 30 day and/or 1000 miles warranty. Within a week pass the warranty it started. The radio illumination started to go out we would have to tap on it to get it to turn on so we could see the time etc. Then it would not come back on at all and all chimes went away., stopped working altogether. No turn single indicator, seat belts, back up warning, door ajar etc. The passenger side air bag indicator would say no one when someone was sitting in it and while driving blink between the two. Also air bag needs maintance indictor in dash will flash while driving. Park assistant on and off will flash while driving. The steering will move in itself while driving and around bends/turns in the road and worsening on highway! to the point I do not take my children on. There is also a faint burn smell around front floor.I decided to take it to the local advanced auto parts store and have them hook it up to see why I lost my radio, steering etc. They tell me that it was a dead battery cell and that my battery is located in the floor of this vehicle behind the passenger seat. By the way this vehicle does not have a sunroof all the windows go up tight as well. I called my mechanic who I've known for years my family has went to him as well and asked him to assist me in the battery issue. So we get there he opens the floor behind my seat and we discovered the battery is underwater dark sludgy water! the battery is replaced after a very unprofessional and disrespectful experience with this particular establishment by now I am at my wits end. I've exhausted all efforts with them! I paid to have a GMC certified mechanic run diagnostic on these issues at hand and to my thinking they determined to be flood and/or water damage and would need further diagnostics. However puzzling the VIN is clean and no recent or active recalls. I am barely into this contract 3 months!

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #107

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 #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

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