A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which GMC Acadia you are looking at. Then check its model year against 38 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.
VIN prefix1GK
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
GMC Acadia
About the GMC Acadia
GMC has sold the Acadia in the US since the 2007 model year, and there have been three generations. Gen 1 first (2007–2016), then Gen 2 (2017–2023), and the Gen 3 took over for 2024–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 38 vehicle recall campaigns and 5,566 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2008 and 2014 model years alone account for 1,316 of them, with owners bringing up air bags most often and the powertrain after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 17–19 mpg combined, while the Gen 3 gets 21–23 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2007–2026
GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3
NHTSA recall campaigns38
Owner complaints5,566 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
GMC Acadia generations
Three generations since the 2007 model year. The Gen 1 (2007–2016) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (20).
NHTSA has 38 campaigns on file for Acadia model years 2007–2026, and the 2009 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2014 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2026
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What GMC Acadia owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2008 (854 of 5,566). Tap any bar or generation.
5,566NHTSA complaints, 2007–2026
142mention a crash
76mention a fire
194injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 3: 135 complaints · most for the 2025 (65)
2007··2010····2015····2020····2025·
Top complaint areas · Gen 3
Mentions in 135 complaints, 2024–2026.
Brakes65
Forward collision avoidance46
Engine and cooling17
Electrical system15
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)14
Exterior lighting10
Crashes 5Fires 0Injuries 4
2024–2026 (Gen 3)
NHTSA data summary
Of the three model years, the 2025 (65) and 2024 (61) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name brakes most often (65 mentions), then forward collision avoidance (46).
Top complaint areas · Gen 2
Mentions in 1,834 complaints, 2017–2023.
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)609
Electrical system498
Engine and cooling238
Steering134
Brakes102
Air bags92
Crashes 40Fires 7Injuries 42
2017–2023 (Gen 2)
NHTSA data summary
The 2017 stands out. On its own it has 704 of the ’s 1,834 complaints (38%), and owners across the generation name powertrain most often (609 mentions), then electrical system (498).
Top complaint areas · Gen 1
Mentions in 3,597 complaints, 2007–2016.
Air bags811
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)756
Steering675
Electrical system574
Engine and cooling517
Structure and body234
Crashes 97Fires 69Injuries 148
2007–2016 (Gen 1)
NHTSA data summary
Of all Acadia complaints, 65% are for the . Complaints peak with the 2008 (854 of 3,597). By area, nothing stands out. Air bags lead with 811, with the powertrain (756) and the steering (675) close behind.
What Acadia owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2017–2023 (2nd generation)
The 2017 draws the most complaints. Hundreds of NHTSA reports describe a Shift to Park message that appears while the SUV is already in park and keeps it from shutting off, often draining the battery. CarComplaints ranks the same alert first for 2017, followed by a horn that does not work and a car that would not start. Recalls cover a front driveshaft on some 2017–2018 models, front brake caliper seals on some 2017 models that may leak fluid and driver air bag inflators on 2017 models that may rupture. [1][2]
2007–2016 (1st generation)
Transmission failure is the main complaint here. CarComplaints notes widespread transmission failure on the 2008 around 75,000 miles, and NHTSA owners of that year also report power steering trouble and fluid leaks. On the 2014, NHTSA complaints center on air bag warnings. Recalls cover side air bag wiring on 2008–2013 models that can turn on the air bag light and keep the side air bags from deploying, curtain air bag fasteners on 2011–2016 models and driver air bag inflators on some 2014–2016 models. [3][4][5]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the side air bag wiring recall on 2008–2013 models and the driver air bag inflator recall on 2014–2017 models.
Ask for transmission repair records on first generation models.
On the drive, shift to park and turn the SUV off to see if a Shift to Park message appears, and feel for slipping or harsh shifts.
EPA lists 58 Acadia versions for model years 2007–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 349 g/mi (2021). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
Gen 12007–2016
17–19 mpg · CO₂ 465–518 g/mi
Gen 22017–2023
17–25 mpg · CO₂ 349–518 g/mi
Gen 32024–2026
21–23 mpg · CO₂ 387–423 g/mi
2025
23combined MPG
387CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,900EPA yearly fuel cost
5/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: FWD · Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo — 23 MPG · 387 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Acadia vs Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Highlander
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2024–2026. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the Acadia, against 1 for the Chevrolet Traverse and 7 for the Toyota Highlander. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
GMC Acadia VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on an Acadia
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Locate the Acadia's VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and a cargo area sticker on the driver's side are secondary locations. The Gen 3 generation starts with the 2024 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (R for 2024) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common GMC Acadia VIN questions
Which GMC Acadia model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2008 leads with 854, ahead of the 2017 (704) and 2014 (462). Those first two alone make up 28% of the 5,566 Acadia complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the GMC Acadia had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 38 vehicle campaigns for model years 2007–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 1 leads with 20. Then come the Gen 2 (18) and Gen 3 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which GMC Acadia recalls are high risk?
23V-334, 22V-246 and 20V-446 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 08V-441, 10V-240, 15V-609, 18V-358, 20V-668, 21V-422 and 22V-446. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Acadia generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2007–2016 and the Gen 2 2017–2023. Gen 3 spans 2024–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (R is 2024).
What fuel economy does the GMC Acadia get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2024–2026 Gen 3 at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 17–19 mpg for the 2007–2016 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the GMC Acadia compare with the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Highlander on recalls?
For 2024–2026 models the Acadia has 1 NHTSA recall campaign. The Chevrolet Traverse has 1, the Toyota Highlander 7. Complaints run 135, 340 and 54 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Acadia 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.
