Model research hub
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a three-row crossover that has been sold since 2007 and grew back to full size for 2024. Its worst complaint years are the 2018 (392) and 2019 (381), 2020 has the most recalls (6), and the 2026 Acadia starts at $45,795 for the Elevation and reaches $67,095 for the Denali Ultimate.
What the GMC Acadia is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the Acadia as a crossover SUV made by General Motors for its GMC division, sharing its first-generation platform with the Saturn Outlook, Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, in production since 2006 with model years from 2007. Its size class has changed: full-size in 2007 to 2017, mid-size from 2017 to 2023 and full-size again from 2024. The 2026 Acadia has a 2.5L turbo four-cylinder rated 21 to 22 mpg combined, about $2,850 to $2,950 a year in fuel.
Best and worst Acadia model years
Federal counts show the complaints concentrated in the 2015 to 2019 years. The 2015 has 4 recalls and 261 complaints, the 2016 has 4 and 235, the 2018 has 2 recalls and 392 complaints, the most of any year, and the 2019 has 2 and 381. The 2020 has 6 recalls covering tires, the fuel system, air bags and powertrain, the 2021 has 2 and 147 complaints, the 2022 has 3 recalls and 48 complaints, and the 2023 has 4. The 2024 and 2025 have no recalls and 55 and 62 complaints.
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says to stick with later used Acadias, in particular the 2016, 2019 and 2022 model years, which have better reliability ratings than other years, and that the 2007 and 2008 model years have lower than average reliability. Car Smite (opens in a new tab) covers the first generation (2007 to 2016) and second generation (2017 to 2023) separately. Open the 2018 Acadia page for the complaint peak.
Trims and prices
Kelley Blue Book base prices for the 2026 Acadia are $45,795 for the front-drive Elevation, $47,795 for the all-wheel-drive Elevation, $54,495 for the AT4, $57,895 for the Denali and $65,095 for the Denali Ultimate, with all-wheel drive adding $2,000 to the Elevation, Denali and Denali Ultimate. CarGurus says buying the right Acadia trim and model year is a good way to find a bargain.
Questions buyers ask
Which GMC Acadia years are the most reliable?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the 2016, 2019 and 2022 model years have better reliability ratings than other years, and the 2007 and 2008 have lower than average reliability.
Is the GMC Acadia full-size or mid-size?
Wikipedia lists it as full-size in 2007 to 2017, mid-size in 2017 to 2023 and full-size again from 2024.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 GMC Acadia is built around 2.5L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 328 horsepower across its three-row SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2027 GMC Acadia is published to tow is up to 5,000 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 Acadia.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 GMC Acadia
Every Acadia uses the same 328-horsepower 2.5L turbo engine; AT4 makes all-wheel drive standard for off-road use while Elevation and Denali keep it optional. Denali Ultimate joins as the range-topping trim for 2027, and Super Cruise becomes standard equipment on Denali.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
8 indexed GMC Acadia model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 GMC Acadia | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 GMC Acadia | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 GMC Acadia | 2025 record → | |
| 2022 GMC Acadia | 2022 record → | |
| 2020 GMC Acadia | 2020 record → | |
| 2019 GMC Acadia | 2019 record → | |
| 2018 GMC Acadia | 2018 record → | |
| 2015 GMC Acadia | 2015 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the GMC Acadia.
The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors for its GMC division. The first-generation GMC Acadia shared the GM Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook, the Chevrolet Traverse, and the Buick Enclave. The Acadia went on sale in 2006 as a 2007 model in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- Safety
- The second-generation Acadia did not receive the "Top Safety Pick" awarded by IIHS, unlike the Traverse, because the two available headlight setups received a Marginal rating.
Source: GMC Acadia (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
GMC Acadia at a glance
- Production
- 2006–present
- Model years
- 2007–present
- Class
- Full-size crossover SUV (2007–2017, 2024–present), Mid-size crossover SUV (2017–2023)
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
- Predecessor
- GMC Envoy XL, GMC Safari, Isuzu Ascender (7-passenger version), Pontiac Montana SV6, Saturn Outlook
- Also called
- Holden Acadia (2018–2020)
GMC Acadia generations
The GMC Acadia has been redesigned in 2017, 2024, gaps of 10, 7 years, an average of 8.5 years between generations. The current generation (third generation) began in 2024.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | n/a | 2007–2017 | The Acadia represents GMC's entry-level truck-like CUV and is the first unibody vehicle from the marque. |
| Second generation | n/a | 2017–2024 | The second generation Acadia made its official debut at the North American International Auto Show on January 12, 2016. |
| Third generation | n/a | 2024–present | The 2024 Acadia was revealed at the 2023 North American International Auto Show. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 GMC Acadia overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (1 campaign across the latest model years)
- February 2026, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette… Consequence: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 GMC Acadia, most often about service brakes (39), forward collision avoidance (21), unknown or other (13).
Year by year
The GMC Acadia across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 GMC Acadia | 21–22 | $2,950–$3,100 | 2 | |||
| 2026 GMC Acadia | 21–22 | $2,850–$2,950 | 2 | 1 | 5 stars | |
| 2025 GMC Acadia | 21–23 | $2,700–$2,950 | 2 | 62 | 5 stars | |
| 2024 GMC Acadia | 21–23 | $2,700–$2,950 | 2 | 55 | 5 stars | |
| 2023 GMC Acadia | 21–25 | $2,500–$2,950 | 4 | 4 | 42 | 5 stars |
| 2022 GMC Acadia | 21–25 | $2,500–$2,950 | 4 | 3 | 48 | 5 stars |
| 2021 GMC Acadia | 21–25 | $2,500–$2,950 | 5 | 2 | 147 | 5 stars |
| 2020 GMC Acadia | 21–24 | $2,600–$2,950 | 5 | 6 | 99 | 5 stars |
| 2019 GMC Acadia | 20–23 | $2,700–$3,100 | 4 | 2 | 381 | 5 stars |
| 2018 GMC Acadia | 20–23 | $2,700–$3,100 | 4 | 2 | 392 | 5 stars |
| 2017 GMC Acadia | 17–23 | $2,700–$3,650 | 6 | 4 | 5 stars | |
| 2016 GMC Acadia | 17–18 | $3,450–$3,650 | 2 | 4 | 235 | 5 stars |
| 2015 GMC Acadia | 19 | $3,300 | 2 | 4 | 261 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the GMC Acadia, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 22.0 to 21.5 | |||
| 2023 to 2024 | 4 to 2 | 23.0 to 22.0 | Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 8-spd | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI, 3.6L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 9-spd |
| 2021 to 2022 | 5 to 4 | Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 22.5 to 23.0 | |||
| 2019 to 2020 | 4 to 5 | 21.5 to 22.5 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 9-spd | Transmissions: Automatic 6-spd |
| 2017 to 2018 | 6 to 4 | 20.0 to 21.5 | Labels: Acadia Limited AWD, Acadia Limited FWD | |
| 2016 to 2017 | 2 to 6 | 17.5 to 20.0 | Labels: Acadia Limited AWD, Acadia Limited FWD; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI | |
| 2015 to 2016 | 19.0 to 17.5 |
Buying used
What the GMC Acadia recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | equipment (other) | None |
| 2023 | 4 | equipment (other); power train (driveline); power train (automatic transmission); 1 more | None |
| 2022 | 3 | air bags; suspension (rear); fuel system, gasoline (storage) | None |
| 2021 | 2 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2020 | 6 | air bags (side/window); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); power train (automatic transmission); 2 more | None |
| 2019 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission); tires | None |
| 2018 | 2 | power train (driveline); fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2017 | 4 | service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); power train (driveline); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); 1 more | None |
| 2016 | 4 | visibility (windshield wiper/washer); seats; air bags (critical fasteners); 1 more | None |
| 2015 | 4 | tires; air bags (critical fasteners); air bags (frontal) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 425 | 24% | 2018 (163) |
| electrical system | 370 | 21% | 2018 (108) |
| unknown or other | 345 | 20% | 2019 (120) |
| air bags | 247 | 14% | 2016 (130) |
| engine | 212 | 12% | 2019 (52) |
| steering | 157 | 9% | 2015 (33) |
Trim by trim
Every 2027 GMC Acadia trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | 326 | – | 5,000 | – | $45,595 |
| AT4 | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | 326 | – | 5,000 | – | $54,395 |
| Denali | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | 326 | – | 5,000 | – | $60,895 |
| Denali Ultimate | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | 326 | – | 5,000 | – | $65,395 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2027 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every GMC Acadia model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 4 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | – | 5,000 | 21.7 |
| 2026 | 4 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | 4,696 | 5,000 | 21.7 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | 4,696 | 5,000 | – |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 328 | – | 5,000 | 21.7 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.6-liter V6 | 228–310 | 4,155–4,525 | 4,000 | 19.4–21.7 |
| 2022 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.6-liter V6 | 228–310 | 4,155–4,525 | 4,000 | 19–22 |
| 2021 | 5 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.6-liter V6 | 193–308 | 3,923–4,390 | 1,000–4,000 | 19–22 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.6-liter V6 | 193–310 | 3,923–4,390 | 1,000–4,000 | 19–22 |
| 2019 | 6 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 3.6-liter V6 | 194–310 | – | 1,000–4,000 | 19–22 |
| 2018 | 6 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 3.6-liter V6 | 194–310 | – | 1,000–4,000 | 19–22 |
| 2017 | 6 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 3.6-liter V6 | 194–310 | 3,956 | 1,000–4,000 | 19–22 |
| 2016 | 6 | 3.6-liter V6 | 281–288 | 4,656–4,850 | 5,200 | 22 |
| 2015 | 5 | 3.6-liter V6 | 281–288 | 4,656–4,850 | 5,200 | 22 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the GMC Acadia.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0W-20 (5.5 qt) | DOT 4 | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2026 | 0W-20 (5.5 qt) | DOT 4 | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2025 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2024 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2023 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2022 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2021 | – | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2020 | – | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2019 | – | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 5W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 5W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 5W-30 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2015 | 5W-30 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
GMC Acadia: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2026 GMC Acadia : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.2).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2020 GMC Acadia : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting tires and fuel system.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | equipment |
| 2025 | 62 | ||
| 2024 | 55 | ||
| 2023 | 4 | 42 | powertrain, equipment, visibility/wipers |
| 2022 | 3 | 48 | airbags, suspension, fuel system |
| 2021 | 2 | 147 | fuel system, backup camera |
| 2020 | 6 | 99 | tires, fuel system, airbags, powertrain |
| 2019 | 2 | 381 | tires, powertrain |
| 2018 | 2 | 392 | fuel system, powertrain |
| 2017 | 4 | not available | powertrain, fuel system, brakes, airbags |
| 2016 | 4 | 235 | airbags, visibility/wipers, seats |
| 2015 | 4 | 261 | airbags, tires |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for GMC Acadia model years 2017, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a GMC Acadia?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2026 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2020 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which GMC Acadia model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2020 GMC Acadia has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting tires, fuel system, airbags. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which GMC Acadia model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2026 GMC Acadia has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 3.2. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the GMC Acadia by model year?
2026: equipment. 2023: powertrain, equipment, visibility/wipers. 2022: airbags, suspension, fuel system. 2021: fuel system, backup camera. 2020: tires, fuel system, airbags, powertrain. 2019: tires, powertrain.
Q05Why do some GMC Acadia model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for GMC Acadia model years 2017, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Climate and electrical, Transmission and drivetrain, Engine and cooling.
2020 GMC Acadia owners specifically: see Brakes, tires and steering and Engine and cooling and Buying, records and recalls and Transmission and drivetrain.
Compared with
Models this GMC Acadia is most often compared with.
Nearest GMC models
Other GMC models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 Acadia come in?
The 2027 GMC Acadia (three-row SUV) comes in 4 trims: Elevation, AT4, Denali, Denali Ultimate.
Q02What are the 2027 Acadia trims?
The 2027 GMC Acadia trims are Elevation, AT4, Denali, Denali Ultimate, listed from the entry Elevation up to the top Denali Ultimate.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 Acadia use?
The 2027 GMC Acadia is built around 2.5L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 328 horsepower across its three-row SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 Acadia have?
The 2027 GMC Acadia is rated at 328 horsepower (2.5L turbo four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 Acadia?
The 2027 GMC Acadia is offered with FWD / AWD.