Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2011 GMC Acadia: common problems and reliability
An average Acadia year.
280 owner complaints, most about steering. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Acadia?The 2011 GMC Acadia has 280 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are steering and engine. Owners most often flag engine failures (3.6l v6): catastrophic failure due to oil pickup tube clogging and cam failures, particularly in 2010-2015 models around 80,000-100,000 miles.
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 GMC Acadia vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Acadia years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the Acadia?
Across the 20 Acadia model years we track, complaint volume runs from 43 (2023) to 1,981 (2017). With 280 complaints, the 2011 Acadia sits below the model's median of 333.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 Acadia
air bags:critical fasteners
Campaign 21V246000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
seat belts
Campaign 14V266000General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Campaign 15V415000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
air bags:side/window
Campaign 14V118000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Show 1 more recall
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Campaign 12V151000GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily influenced by powertrain reliability.
- Very frequentEngine failures (3.6L V6)
Catastrophic failure due to oil pickup tube clogging and cam failures, particularly in 2010-2015 models around 80,000-100,000 miles.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Acadia. See the full Acadia owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Acadia listings typically run $16,194–$28,136.
Other Acadia model years
Compare every Acadia year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Acadia against its rivals
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