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2021 GMC Acadia problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 GMC Acadia has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 154owner complaints
- 8crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 4injuries reported
154 complaints, against an average of 231 for the other 14 GMC Acadia model years.
Every GMC Acadia model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
The components named most often in the 154 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 GMC Acadia owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 154 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2021 GMC Acadia stall, lose power or shut off while driving?18 owners · 11.7%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 GMC Acadia?18 owners · 11.7%
- Why won't my 2021 GMC Acadia start?7 owners · 4.5%
- Why does my 2021 GMC Acadia transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?5 owners · 3.2%
- Why does the backup camera not work on my 2021 GMC Acadia?5 owners · 3.2% · Recall 22V709000
- Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2021 GMC Acadia?5 owners · 3.2%
Has the 2021 GMC Acadia been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Risk: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
What do 2021 GMC Acadia owners report?
12 of the 154 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, traffic stopped abruptly, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate while the Forward Collision Avoidance warning feature activated with a red warning light on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to steer off the road to avoid a collision; however, the vehicle crashed into the vehicle ahead, resulting in a three-vehicle collision. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Another driver involved claimed unknown injuries, and the contact sustained…
exhaust flex pipe is cracked. Causes fumes of gas to be released through the crack. inspected by GMC Repair shop Vibrating noise started, then a few days later the smell of gas, and now yes the Engine light is on. This has been on going for about 3 weeks.
My 2021 GMC Acadia steering wheel dangerously stiffened while I was turning off the road into a busy shopping parking lot making it difficult to continue my turn. Having to put on my brakes sharply as to not collide with the out going traffic. There was no warning prior to the incident and had to make a quick safety judgement call and hoped the steering wheel would turn. Only after does the warning come on saying there is an issue with the steering assist and to drive carefully! The following morning I took it to Eagle Buick/GMC. There the tech experienced the same. I was told the parts for…
My 2021 GMC Acadia that has 63,768 miles on it was idling Wednesday 9/30 when it died and would not start back we had to have it towed to a shop to get it checked out and it was throwing the P023F code for the fuel pump control module that has a recall bulletin for the same thing make model problem and under their 80,000 miles but recall not on my vin number and GM is refusing to pay for it. It's going to cost me 937.27 to get it fixed.
While driving home from work the car displayed a "No Fuel" warning, despite having a full tank of gas. Within seconds of the display showing the car stalled out and stopped right in the middle of the road. It would not go into neutral and I had to be towed from the middle of the road to a mechanic close by. Upon reading forums online it looks like this is a known and common issue affecting the fuel pump sensor and system in these models. There are no open recalls but being this is known and happens so often I am shocked GMC has not taken ownership to recall and correct this issue. If I had not…
On 9/08/2026 I was driving and almost got a wreck but I was able to get out and was going less the 25 and lost control of the vehicle and barely hit the curb and the two air bags went off and I was sent to the hospital
While driving the brake vacuum pump exploded leading to catastrophic brake failure. My husband was driving and was able to stand on the brakes to get the car to stop, but had i been driving, I am not strong enough to have stopped the car. I have 3 children with my youngest being 1. If this had happened with me and my kids, we could have had a major wreck and/or DIED! GM is aware of the brake vacuum pump issues but does not have a recall on the part. The braske assist light did not come on the dash until brakes were lost.
My brake pedal got stiff when I was driving. I had zero control of my brakes. I was informed by a GMC dealership that my BRAKE BOOSTER blew up causing my brakes to stop working and metal shrapnel to be sent into my engine. My 2021 vehicle is a complete loss. GMC has done NOTHING to help me.
Display suddenly says "Steering assistance reduced, drive with care" Temp gauge goes to C and stays there. Radiator fans speed up and stay on after the car has been turned off. Dealer unable to find a diagnostic code for the problem.
This is a very known issue that has been reoccurring with GMC Acadia. The torque converter slipping. That cost alone is over $7.000 for the transmission. I am still making monthly payments for my 2021 Acadia. With rising cost above the board GMC could have resolved this issue before releasing this vehicle to the public for purchase. Only had this vehicle for 2 years and already a new transmission is needed. Other individuals i personally know have the same issue. From my research GMC is aware and fails to do a recall on this issue.
I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing mechanical and electrical issues with my 2021 GMC ACADIA that have been occurring intermittently for approximately the past year and a half. The primary issues involve the coolant temperature sensor, thermostat system, engine cooling fan, and dashboard warning messages. The vehicle repeatedly experiences problems related to the coolant temperature sensor and thermostat. During these episodes, the engine cooling fan continues running even after the vehicle has been turned off, sometimes for an extended period of time. In addition, the dashboard…
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact became aware that the front and rear-view cameras were inoperable. The camera failure message was displayed. The contact stated that the cameras failed to function properly, and an image was not displayed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
2021 GMC Acadia: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 GMC Acadia reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Acadia; the most common categories were electrical system (39, 25.3%), engine (29, 18.8%), fuel/propulsion system (26, 16.9%). There are 2 safety recalls. 8 complaints mention a crash, 4 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Across 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (25.3% of complaints), engine (18.8% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (16.9% of complaints), service brakes (11.7% of complaints), power train (11% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia; the most recent (campaign 22V709000, 2022-09-22) concerns Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2021 GMC Acadia stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
18 of the 154 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Acadia (11.7%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Driving out of state. My 2021 Acadia with 41,172 miles. When pushing the gas to go there is slippage when trying to accelerate. MY car went automatically into neutral saying transmission and then not start." (NHTSA complaint 11671334, July 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 GMC Acadia?
18 of the 154 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Acadia (11.7%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "exhaust flex pipe is cracked. Causes fumes of gas to be released through the crack. inspected by GMC Repair shop Vibrating noise started, then a few days later the smell of gas, and now yes the Engine light is on. This has been on going for about 3 weeks." (NHTSA complaint 11771296, October 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2021 GMC Acadia start?
7 of the 154 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Acadia (4.5%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "My 2021 GMC Acadia that has 63,768 miles on it was idling Wednesday 9/30 when it died and would not start back we had to have it towed to a shop to get it checked out and it was throwing the P023F code for the fuel pump control module that has a recall…" (NHTSA complaint 11768954, October 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 GMC Acadia transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
5 of the 154 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Acadia (3.2%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "Transmission feels like it’s slipping, almost like a jerky shift from any stop, seems like a common issue and should be recalled!" (NHTSA complaint 11698037, November 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the backup camera not work on my 2021 GMC Acadia?
5 of the 154 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Acadia (3.2%) describe the rearview or backup camera failing or showing a blank screen. A related recall exists: campaign 22V709000 (back over prevention: sensing system: camera). The fix: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. One owner wrote: "The rear view camera was supposed to have been fixed during the safety recall in 2022, but two years later and over seven visits to dealership service repair shop, it still has not been fixed." (NHTSA complaint 11586651, May 2024). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2021 GMC Acadia?
5 of the 154 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Acadia (3.2%) describe brakes feeling soft, failing, grinding or squealing. One owner wrote: "While driving the brake vacuum pump exploded leading to catastrophic brake failure. My husband was driving and was able to stand on the brakes to get the car to stop, but had i been driving, I am not strong enough to have stopped the car." (NHTSA complaint 11759335, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Acadia
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only.