Timing chain was replaced about 3,000 miles ago. Check engine light appeared just minutes before exiting onto the highway. I accelerated to a maximum of 45mph before the engine started to "putt" and then I thought the transmission went out on the vehicle, the RPM skyrocketed, I slowed the vehicle down to pull over and it started smoking / steaming and oil and water were spewing out all over the vehicle. I thought it was on fire. Several passers-by noticed and called police reporting that my vehicle was on fire, I called a tow truck. Got a ride to work. Towed to the dealer / service center who replaced timing chain. They said the engine is shot. 2 pistons fell out. Class action lawsuit needs to occur on this vehicle. It is a pile of junk to fix and extremely unsafe. Timing chain and transmission problems. Engine problems. Unrecalled, defective timing chains in these GMC Acadia's cause catastrophic permanent unsafe engine damage. GMC will not recall unless they are forced to, due to the cost of replacing the entire engine after the timing chain failures. I thought the vehicle was going to explode when I pulled over when the engine failed; I jumped out and backed away to a safe distance. Scariest driving moment I've ever experience. A class action needs to occur in order for them to do something about this once and for all.

- Wausau, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving various speeds, the electronic stability control, traction control, and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the electronic stability control malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to operate in the four wheel drive mode. Four by four center in essex, Vermont was made aware of the failure and stated that there was a timing chain failure that was common in that type of vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Jeffersonville, VT, USA

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact noticed one arm was fractured on the liftgate. The contact's daughter sustained injuries to the hand, but did not require medical attention. The dealer diagnosed that the arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cause of the failure was undetermined. In addition, the side air bag warning indicator illuminated contiuously. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V415000 (structure) and 14V118000 (air bags). The failure mileage was unknown.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

Happened 2X already. Vehicle is in motion high rate of speed 55 to 75 mph, engine light comes on and vehicle starts to slow down drastically on its own. Eventually the engine shuts off loosing all power and power steering. Happened once on highway and once on a major busy road. If you try to accelerate there is no power. The vehicle eventually stalls without warning. Once I could not even tell the engine stopped because the dash board lights still worked. Pulled over, wait 10 to 15 minutes and then try to start vehicle. It will start and everything seems normal again. Each time this happened I had my 3 kids in car. Not safe at all. Took it to dealer and they have no clue. Said it may have something to do with transmission.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Approximately 3 weeks ago, my 2008 GMC Acadia was serviced at 140,000 miles for worn out timing chains. Now, I am looking at problems with my transmission. How convenient. Within three weeks this vehicle has failed on me. The timing chains were rattling in turns when it was taken into the dealership and the problem was discovered. I actually visited and left the dealership several times before the problem was diagnosed, so I was riding around with a faulty part in my engine. The transmission went out after I had exited the interstate at which point I could not accelerate more than 10 mph. Good thing I was not on the interstate when it decided to stall out on me as I can only imagine how disastrous that would have been. The 2007 and 2009 GMC models were recalled for timing chain issues, never the 2008 model. The transmission problem is related to the 3-5-R wave plate, which had a 20,000 mile extension from GM to cover the repair if this broke, which of course I am out of, thus the repair costs for both defects are my problem. I do not understand how they will not back their products knowing that they are faulty. GM needs to step up and man up to the fact they have inferior products inside these engines and transmissions.

- York, SC, USA

I have a 2008 Acadia which is equipped with a timing chain that has been known by General Motors to prematurely stretch and fail, and which can cause serious damage to other engine components, as well as activate certain sensors either prematurely or not at all. Your engine and key components and crankshafts and sensors rely on the timing chain in order to function properly. When you're driving in your vehicle and the timing chain gets stretched, the check engine light flashes on, the engine and transmission will power down and shut off, a loud buzzing sound will occur and hope to god you are not on the highway, because General Motors knows about the defect but still will not issue a recall on the prematurely stretched timing chains due to the extensive cost of repair. They have extended warranty coverage on certain similar models in 2007 and 2009, and have offer full replacement of the timing chain up to 10 years and 120,000 miles, but despite the same issue occurring in vehicles made in 2008 with the same defects, they have denied my service request. This a very costly and extremely unsafe condition to drive the vehicle in. It is terrifying when your engine misfires and powers down, and your warning lights flash with a loud buzzing alarm sound blaring through the speakers. The traction control, stabilitrak system, and airbag sensors are all adversely affected by the defective timing chain as well, and the manufacturer is well aware of this defect and unfortunately will probably not be held responsible until someone is killed in an accident as a result of a defective timing chain. I'm so disappointed in this vehicle and the lack of accountability through the manufacturer. They know it's a problem. They are aware of the defect. They even extended coverage to replace up until a certain point, but beyond that, they do not care.

- Wausau, WI, USA

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

Takata recall. I purchased the car in 2012 and in 2014 I noticed the antifreeze was low. I filled it with dexcool and watched it. Over the past few years the car has been in close to 20 times because the coolant is low. Recently I noticed the car had a class III leak of dexcool coming from the front right wheel area, I took it and they said it was the pressure release and I had overfilled it. Yesterday while driving on the autobahn in speeds of 90+ mph the battery level dropped all the lights came on and the right front engine area was steaming. I have taken to another mechanic and I am still waiting to hear what is wrong. The car has been to many GMC dealers each saying that they have seen the problem but aren't able to find the problem. None of the lights were on and the car has never overheated even yesterday the temp was still normal. There is now a puddle of dexcool where the car is parked at the shop and because I am stationed in germany now and can't take it to another dealership.

- Apo, AE, USA

I noticed a leak in my driveway under my 2008 Acadia. I immediately took it to dealership so they could find out where it was leaking. They found the engine leaking in several places including the front cover. In addition to the engine leaking, they also found the water pump to be leaking and in need of being replaced. While putting new seals in the engine, they found that the timing chains were showing signs of wear as well. All in all, the car needed several seals replaced, the timing chains replaced, the water pump replaced, and the power steering pump replaced. The car only has 73000 miles on it!

- Coeur D'alene, ID, USA

While driving at interstate speeds in 90+ degree weather, the 2008 GMC Acadia experienced a complete loss of power. Engine quit along with all electronics, power steering and power brakes. Let car sit for 20 minutes and it started up and drove fine for a week or so then the same issue occurred again. This has happened 3 times within 5 weeks. The vehicle has been into an independent mechanic and two dealerships. Of those dealerships, we have taken the vehicle to the local autonation GMC dealer 3 times over the course of 2 weeks and all groups who have looked at the vehicle stated that they could not find and "codes" after running the computer diagnostics. We have requested an on-board diagnostic computer to be ordered from autonation GMC park meadows (co) but have received no response. This is a very dangerous issue while driving at highway and interstate speeds. Have researched other consumers with the same situation on the NHTSA website.

- Centennial, CO, USA

Oil changes at dealer performed every 3K miles. At 88K miles, shortly after drive train warranty expired. The check engine light appeared. Full diagnostics performed by local dealer stated timing chain buffers were beginning to fail. Est cost $3500. Advised that since the light comes on/off intermittently, okay to wait to see if problem worsens, which may be many years, if ever. At 92K miles, while on highway, the transmission wouldn't shift gears, RPM's climbed, pulled over vehicle where it stalled and wouldn't restart. Vehicle towed to dealer, where tested and determined that engine needs replacement due to loud metalic engine noise and metal shavings in oil. Estimated repairs from two GMC dealers of $6600 to $7600 for re-manufactured engine. Local dealers have stated that timing chain buffers is a very common problem with 2008 GMC Acadia and vehicle should be recalled, but is not due to the cost of engine replacement. Contacted GMC (belva - senior case analyst) to describe case and they responded that they will not assist in the repairs because: 1) vehicle was purchased used - stating that all such purchases are 'as-is' from dealer and its up to the consumer to do due-dilegence before purchasing, 2) vehicle power train warranty expired by date shortly before purchase, and 3) power train warranty is now 3 years past the date, regardless of when issue first appeared. GMC senior advisor also stated the she recently purchased a used GM product, and the engine failed shortly afterward at 100K miles, and GM will not assist her either, as that is also out of the date range of the power train warranty. Engine was manufactured in the K-GM (saint catharines, Ontario) plant.

- Stoughton, WI, USA

Purchased new, have had the following problems 2011 :water pump failed, and engine oil leak new pump and gaskets,2012: Oil pressure sensor replaced, 2013: Wave plate broken sent metal through transmission major transmission repair, front and rear A/C failed and needed replacement. 2014: Master cylinder leaking - replaced. 2016: Purge solenoid stuck open was replaced, oil leak- timing cover leaking (did not replace- too expensive)- multiple calls to GMC and dealing with the dealer not satisfied and feel the car is a safety risk.

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

My 2008 Acadia is now on it's 4th thermostat. I'm about to send it in to have it replaced. My SUV keeps overheating. So far I have replaced the radiator, thermostat, and stability track. Is there any one else who has this problem?

- Romeoville, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000...updated 05/19/16 the consumer stated the vehicle should have been included in the service bulletin 11340A. Updated 10/17/2017

- Herndon, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and was no longer operable. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic again where the engine was replaced again. The failure recurred. In addition, the engine oil coagulated and the air bag light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- St.Petersburg, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed an abnormal odor emitting from the engine compartment and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Richmond, TX, USA

While driving the vehicle at a normal speed (55) on a highway, a dinging sound comes on and the car goes into reduced power mode, losing speed. The stabilitrak and the traction control warning comes on. This makes it difficult to cross traffic at intersections as the car will barely accelerate. There is no warning that this is going to happen. Also, the cars behind you do not know why you are slowing down. Then when you turn the car off and restart it, the lights go off and the car drives fine. After three trips to the GMC dealer, the throttle body was determined to be the problem. GMC has issued special circumstances warranty on the 2007 & the 2009 but not the 2008. I do not feel that the warranty is sufficient. I do not understand why there is not a recall because after searching the forums, I have found that there are numerous complaints with this happening. I had my grandkids in the car with me and we could have been hurt when we had the sudden loss of power we experienced.

- Mauk, GA, USA

My wife was driving down the highway and the car suddenly would not go on a high volume highway. It turns out the transmission solenoid block went bad. I have looked into it and there has been many complaints of same year, model, and make. My wife and children were in the car and wereally very distraught.if there is so many complaints on this vehicle for the same very expensive problem, why not recall. $4000.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

Driving car on freeway and it caught on fire, no previous issues that would cause the fire. Front of car and engine compartment caught on fire....updated 01/25/16

- Dallas, TX, USA

I made a previous complaint filed here under NHTSA id number: 10765088. The local garber GMC dealership sealed the sunroof and cleaned the clogged hoses that drain water from the roof. They also replaced the passenger side airbag for a total of $600. They gave a guarantee that there would be no more leaks. On November 18 the car began leaking from the front passenger side airbag area and water poured from the roof onto the glove compartment when I made a full stop. Currently awaiting a return call from the service manager of GMC dealer. I have video of the problem. I was driving in the rain from one college campus location to another, in other words many stop and go and side streets at 30 mph or less. The car made squealing noises as well which happened last time too (September of this year).

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA