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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,963 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 GMC Acadia:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 GMC Acadia Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #59

Oct 062015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil was leaking from the timing chain cover. The timing chain cover needed to be resealed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 04/08/16

- Sanderson, FL, USA

problem #58

Oct 302015

Acadia

  • 75,000 miles
In 2010 I noticed an oil leak from the front of engine. After seeing the notice on the internet about oil leaks can cause engine fires I became concerned. Please advise! thanks!!!

- Hope Hull, AL, USA

problem #57

Sep 142015

Acadia

  • 96,000 miles
At 96,000 miles my transmission went out completely. I had to replace it, and it cost me over $2500K this is insane.....and they are known for the 2008 transmission failures. The dealer refused to help in any way....

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #56

Mar 092015

Acadia

  • 93,548 miles

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

After a couple attempts to address service engine issues with local mechanic, the car continued to display codes and then would not consistently shift into 2 or 3rd gear. We took the car to a GMC dealer and they found that the transmission control module needed replaced (code P0752) as did the shift solenoid. Check engine light was also related to stretched timing chains which were replaced since first issue required the engine be removed for repairs to be made. I noticed many complaints online for transmission issues and saw recalls for 2007 Acadia's but not 2008, in my opinion 2008 should also be included. Total bill $2,960 with two 10% discounts from dealer since they felt bad for me.

- Harleysville, PA, USA

problem #55

Aug 072015

Acadia

  • 104,371 miles
I was driving on I5 to North from California and the car stop working just like that!!! I just feel a big push and the stop working

- Beaverton , OR, USA

problem #54

Jul 102015

Acadia

  • 84,400 miles
My transmission went out on my car at 84,400 miles.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #53

Sep 152014

Acadia

  • 115,000 miles

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

During acceleration the vehicle vibrates when going between 35 and 45 mph. Was not able to reproduce issue at dealership last fall, but is now getting much worse. Happens almost everytime the vehicle accelerates.

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

problem #52

Jul 042015

Acadia

  • 155,125 miles
Engine block developed a crack that allows coolant to seep through block.

- Perry, MI, USA

problem #51

Apr 272015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 91,713 miles
I was driving the vehicle and it puttered in the middle of intersection as I was turning which is a busy street. It slowed down drastically on its own. Which caused my children to swing forward and back in there seat. My children were in the car it was very scary. This is not safe!!! according to GMC service the timing chain did not break, was stretched to the extent that the remote start would not work along with codes being set. Would like to know the real reason for such premature failure and what if any actions are being taken to remedy this. There has to be more than just putting a new chain on and crossing your fingers.really do not buy into the theory of dirty oil causing it, maybe lack of oil resulting from poor design. I get my oil chain faithfully and maintenance done. This is not safe at all. I have a sick child that needs to get to dr appts this needs to be fixed. There was a recall for 2007 and 2009 models which GMC fixed. My 2008 should be fixed in the recall also.

- Hatfield , PA, USA

problem #50

Apr 162015

Acadia

  • 53,000 miles
2008 GMC Acadia with slightly under 53,000 miles. Was driving across town and the transmission started to shift unexpectedly as if slipping out of gear and the engine going to high revolutions. Check engine light came on. Vehicle stopped for awhile, restarted, began heading towards dealership. Acceleration completely failed and vehicle rolled to a stop with inability to go forward or in reverse. Vehicle towed to GM dealership. Been informed that the clutch broke and spread metal bits across the transmission. Transmission must be replaced even though vehicle only has 53,000 miles on it. Complaint also filed with GM customer care requesting financial assistance with the prohibitive cost of premature repair.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #49

Mar 102015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles

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

My 2008 GMC Acadia would not start and the key could not be removed from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership. The mechanic diagnosed that the sunroof was leaking into the headliner and going straight to the fuse block. I had to replace the fuse block, battery as well as seal the leak around the sunroof and cowl. GMC refused to pay anything towards this repair and will not issue a recall. I spent $1,200 just to fix this due to GMC's poor craftsmanship. Mileage of car is 104,00.

- Mount Washington, KY, USA

problem #48

Mar 102015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
Check engine lights are on, and stability lights on, dealer says problem is due to timing chain problem. There is technical bulletin out for this vehicle located here: www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm422873/csc-10043857-8394.pdf GMC is not offering to fix this problem without a large fee, saying our VIN does not match the recall. Yet there is a technical bulletin describing our exact problem. Can you let us know if our vehicle is covered by this technical bulletin and if there are other complaints similar to this for our vehicle.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #47

Feb 202015

Acadia

  • 125,000 miles
After starting my car (and sitting still), I put my car in reverse, my car started shaking and my dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Service engine soon, service stabilitrak, reduced engine power. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed now! had I been traveling at a high rate of speed, or if my children had been in the car with me when this happened, I shudder to think what could've happened. Please, please put out a recall to address this issue. Again, I feel that it is a safety issue and I have seen several other complaints on GM forums/blogs.

- Flatwoods, KY, USA

problem #46

Nov 272014

Acadia

  • 100,600 miles
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate and the check engine light illuminated. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,600.

- Rahway, NJ, USA

problem #45

Feb 062015

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 110,594 miles
My family and I were driving out of town and then started to feel the car jerk at times and then out of no were it said stability traction control off and reduced power of engine and then engine started to make a terrible noise and shaking like it was going to give out. I could barely pull over. I have taken it several times in to get checked for the stability and they can never find anything wrong and they say its one thing and all I seem to do is pay for something that doesn't need to be fixed. This same issue has happened 3 times since then.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #44

Oct 012014

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Service stabilitrak, traction control off, and reduced engine power are messages that have been flashing across my screen. This has caused the car to completely shut off on me at random time. I now have been told this is a timing chain issue that needs replaced and is going to cost over $2000. There are recalls on the 2007 & 2009 Acadias for timing chain needing replaced prematurely, why is the 2008 model excluded?? there are complaints on the 2008 models all over the internet. I hope you guys take this into consideration. It is not a coincidence that the 08 models are having the same timing chain problem. Please make this right.

- Greenfield, IL, USA

problem #43

Jan 052015

Acadia

  • 110,000 miles
Tsb reference- sb-11340 should be extended to 2008 Acadias. Initial oil change intervals were very long for this model year and were subsequently shortened. The bulletin indicates that the extended intervals can lead to timing change stretch and this has happened to ours and other 2008 Acadias.

- St. Charles, IL, USA

problem #42

Aug 102010

Acadia

  • 10,000 miles
My husband and I purchased a new 2008 GMC Acadia in August 2009. Within the first year or so I noticed that the headlights were dim and the plastic over the lights started to peel. I contacted the dealership and they said there was nothing they could do, that wasn't covered under the warranty. I called GM direct and they also said there wasn't a recall and that it was probably a chemical that we used to wash our car, that caused the peeling. They quoted me $800 for a new set of headlights... ugh... a year or so later, I began having trouble with the struts. They began to leak. I thought it was my brake line and I took it into the shop and they told me that the struts were bad and needed replacing. At that time there was around 36,000 miles on the vehicle. I had them changed out and the mechanic told me they were the worst he had ever seen. After the repair, the vehicle has never been the same. It's not near as smooth as it was and it makes noise. I had it checked to be sure they were installed properly and they were. The whole process cost me about $900 the next issue I have had is more sever. This just happened a few months ago. I was taking my children to school and the vehicle stalled. All the lights came on and said stable track went off and the engine lost pressure and the vehicle stalled. After it cooled down I could drive a little further and the same thing would happen again. I took it back to the shop and they said it was the throttle and it would probably need to be replaced. They cleaned it for now, but I am scared to drive it anywhere! now the power steering is making noise when you turn the wheel, sounds like the power steering pump might be going out now as well. The vehicle only has 65,000 miles on it..

- Tucumcari, NM, USA

problem #41

Dec 092014

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 118 miles
I am requesting a recall on 2008 GMC Acadia's (throttle body). I have a 2008 GMC Acadia that is experiencing major issues. These issues include speed reducing in the middle of a busy intersection with my (xxx) year old son in the car. The panel displayed a red message "service traction control". went a few blocks further when the car shut off completely on a busy street; police pushed me off the main street to a less populated side street. Messages displayed on panel "'traction control reducing power". I'm concerned not only for my safety but concerned about the many other customers of GMC who have experienced the same issue (similar issues found on the internet/blogs). My son and I could have been seriously injured if not killed because of this faulty part. I trust that GMC will do the right thing and recall this item before someone is seriously injured. *trparts 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).

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #40

Mar 012010

Acadia 6-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
Steering locks up. When you take off from a stop sign or traffic light and want to make a right or left turn the steering will lock up to a point where you can't turn. There had been several occasions that I was almost in an accident. Replaced rack and pinion 3 times and power steering. Water pumps are defective, replaced 2 before 100,000 miles transmission went out at 73,000 miles. Every issue that is stated above the dealer didn't want to replace under warranty, even after contacting GM. It took a lot of fighting with GM to replace the transmission when there was known problems with these transmissions being faulty.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?