2020 GMC Acadia: common problems and reliability

The 2020 GMC Acadia has 94 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. 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. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

94
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
4
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 GMC Acadia vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2020 a good year for the Acadia?

Across the 6 Acadia model years we track, complaint volume runs from 94 (2020) to 506 (2015). With 94 complaints, the 2020 Acadia sits belowthe model's median of 431.

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

electrical system
26
engine
23
power train
21
steering
14
fuel/propulsion system
9

Recalls affecting the 2020 Acadia

tires

Campaign 21V115000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Che

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 20V639000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturin

tires

Campaign 20V684000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manuf

air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

Campaign 20V446000

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser c

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily influenced by powertrain reliability. For the 2024+ redesign (2025-2026 model years), owner sentiment is cautiously positive, praising its spacious interior, comfortable ride,…

  • 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. Frequency: very frequent for older generations.
  • 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. Frequency: very frequent.

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 $16,824–$38,874 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

Other Acadia model years

Compare every Acadia year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Acadia against its rivals