← New search

2018 GMC Acadia

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Acadia do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 256.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

179 reports with mileage · 214 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 163 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

163 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2026
Power Train

2018 GMC Acadia comes up with an error message "shift to park" and does not allow me to fully engage my car into the parked position when stopped and parking.

NHTSA ODI #11714992

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2026
Power Train

Gear shifter will not go into park.

NHTSA ODI #11712286

120,000 miles · Jan 20, 2026
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and attempting to shift into park, the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were required to shift the vehicle into park(P) to turn o…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and attempting to shift into park, the vehicle failed to recognize that the transmission was in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were required to shift the vehicle into park(P) to turn off the vehicle. The contact further stated that on other occasions, the vehicle remained stuck in park(P) and failed to shift into drive(D). The contact related the failure to TSB: 19-NA-205. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11712102

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2026
Power Train

Car will not shift into park therefore I cannot turn the car off without disconnecting the battery. Dangerous bc you don’t know if the car is in park or not when you have to get out and stand in front of car to life hood and disconnect battery.

NHTSA ODI #11710440

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2025
Electrical SystemPower Train

Shift to park message has appeared again and the engine will not cut off. First happened in Feb 2020, mileage was 31,143. Took to Dealer and new wiring harness was installed. Had to take back to dealer April 2020 for same problem; shifter assembly was replaced at that time. Shift to park message came back on August 2023. Took …

Read full complaint

Shift to park message has appeared again and the engine will not cut off. First happened in Feb 2020, mileage was 31,143. Took to Dealer and new wiring harness was installed. Had to take back to dealer April 2020 for same problem; shifter assembly was replaced at that time. Shift to park message came back on August 2023. Took back to Dealer and shifter harness replaced again and jumper harness was installed. Mileage was 52,993. Shift to park message has once again appeared, December 2025. Having to put car in park and push engine on/off button numerous times before engine will finally shut off.....sometimes having to unhook battery in order to kill the engine. This will be the fourth time we have had the same recurring issue repaired. My husband read through over half the 352 registered complaints and at least three fourths of them were all about the SHIFT TO PARK problem! As a female, I don't feel safe driving my Acadia not knowing if the engine will cut off or if it's actually in park or if the car will roll. Why can't GM fix this issue!!!!!! They should definitely be held accountable instead of ignoring the complaints!

NHTSA ODI #11703859

120,000 miles · Dec 5, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting to the park(P), there was an audible warning alarm activated, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to immediately turn off. After restarting the vehicle and jiggling the gear shifter, the failure was corrected. The vehicle…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after shifting to the park(P), there was an audible warning alarm activated, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to immediately turn off. After restarting the vehicle and jiggling the gear shifter, the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the gear shifter assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but while picking up her daughter from school, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P), and moments later, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact had to activate the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed back to the dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11703199

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2025
Power Train

URGENT SAFETY DEFECT — RECURRING “SHIFT TO PARK” — ROLLAWAY RISK Vehicle: GMC Acadia | ~99,684miles Same defect repaired FREE under GM goodwill in 2021 (shifter replacement, TSB 19-NA-206) after 4 failed attempts. Now FAILED AGAIN in 2025 — vehicle will not shut off, drains battery, risks unintended rollaway. GM dealer refuses …

Read full complaint

URGENT SAFETY DEFECT — RECURRING “SHIFT TO PARK” — ROLLAWAY RISK Vehicle: GMC Acadia | ~99,684miles Same defect repaired FREE under GM goodwill in 2021 (shifter replacement, TSB 19-NA-206) after 4 failed attempts. Now FAILED AGAIN in 2025 — vehicle will not shut off, drains battery, risks unintended rollaway. GM dealer refuses repeat coverage despite prior admission of defect. This is a KNOWN DESIGN FLAW — thousands of complaints — NO RECALL. DEMAND IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL — this is a fire/rollaway hazard. Attached: 2019- 2021 repair order ($0), TSB 19-NA-206, prior NHTSA complaint, previous TAC CASE: 9-6623251184.

NHTSA ODI #11696632

113,000 miles · Oct 27, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the shift to park message was displayed while the vehicle was in park. Neither an independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing. The veh…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the shift to park message was displayed while the vehicle was in park. Neither an independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:17V516000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #11695871

126,000 miles · Oct 23, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and made an abnormal sound, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there was bl…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and made an abnormal sound, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there was black and white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission, cooling system, and fuel system failures. The dealer also determined that the engine was leaking oil. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle required several repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #11695258

48,000 miles · Oct 20, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that on several occasions while shifted to park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed with an audible chime. The vehicle was turned off and after the contact depressed a release button under the shifter knob, the vehicle recognized the gear selected and was able to t…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that on several occasions while shifted to park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed with an audible chime. The vehicle was turned off and after the contact depressed a release button under the shifter knob, the vehicle recognized the gear selected and was able to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11694500

Official recalls

2

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 31, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

17V516000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 22, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.