Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2018 GMC Acadia: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Acadia years.
395 owner complaints, most about power train. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Acadia?The 2018 GMC Acadia has 395 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag transmission failures: complete transmission failure reported around 100,000 miles on a 2017 model; transmission issues and "known transmission problems" cited as a deal-breaker for 2017-2023 models; early reliability issues with the 2024+ generation's transmission.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 GMC Acadia vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Acadia years only. How we score it
Is 2018 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 395 complaints, the 2018 Acadia sits above 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 2018 Acadia
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 18V358000General 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.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 17V516000General 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily influenced by powertrain reliability.
- Very frequentTransmission failures
Complete transmission failure reported around 100,000 miles on a 2017 model; transmission issues and "known transmission problems" cited as a deal-breaker for 2017-2023 models; early reliability issues with the 2024+ generation's transmission.
- RecurrentUnderpowered/Noisy 4-cylinder engine
Cited as a deal-breaker for the 2017-2023 generation, with complaints about engine noise and lack of power.
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 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Acadia against its rivals
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