Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 GMC Acadia: common problems and reliability
An average Acadia year.
149 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Acadia?The 2021 GMC Acadia has 149 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 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.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 GMC Acadia vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Acadia years only. How we score it
Is 2021 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 149 complaints, the 2021 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 2021 Acadia
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 21V422000General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 22V709000General 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.
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 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Acadia against its rivals
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