Owners have reported 8 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 GMC Acadia. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints148
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2018 GMC Acadia frequently experiences issues with the vehicle not recognizing when it is in park, leading to a persistent "shift to park" warning message. This problem often requires multiple attempts to shift in and out of park before the vehicle acknowledges the gear position, with some owners noting the need to restart the vehicle or disconnect the battery. Complaints often describe this issue occurring at various mileages, ranging from as low as 19,000 to over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with reports of the vehicle rolling when not properly engaged in park, contributing to three crashes and three injuries. Additionally, some owners experience transmission-related problems, such as shuddering during acceleration and complete transmission failure.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints86
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia frequently report issues with the "Shift to Park" feature, where the vehicle fails to recognize it is in park. Common symptoms include persistent warning alerts, an inability to turn off the vehicle, and battery drainage due to the vehicle not shutting down completely. Many complaints indicate that resolving the issue often requires multiple attempts to shift in and out of park. These problems appear to persist across various mileage ranges, with some owners experiencing them shortly after purchase and others after several years. While no direct safety incidents are mentioned, the inability to secure the vehicle or potential for battery failure may pose indirect risks.
Owner complaints67
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia frequently report issues with the "Shift to Park" defect, where the vehicle displays a message that it is not in park even when it is, preventing the vehicle from turning off and leading to battery drainage. Complaints often describe the need to repeatedly shift gears to resolve the issue, with some owners experiencing this problem shortly after purchasing the vehicle and continuing over several years. Additionally, there are reports of random engine shutdowns while driving, which pose a safety risk, especially on highways. These issues are noted at various mileages, with some owners mentioning the problem resurfacing after initial repairs. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical system issues, particularly the implications for battery life and vehicle operability.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints20
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia frequently report issues related to the steering system, particularly involving messages like "Steering Assist Reduced" and "Shift to Park" errors. Symptoms often include reduced steering assist, difficulty shifting into park, and dashboard warnings, occurring at various speeds and sometimes when stationary. These issues are sometimes associated with faulty thermostat sensors, as noted by multiple owners. Safety implications are significant, with two reported crashes and five injuries linked to steering-related failures, including loss of control and erratic vehicle behavior. Complaints suggest these problems can arise early in the vehicle's lifespan, with some reports noting issues shortly after purchase.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 5 injury reports
Owner complaints12
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia frequently report issues with the vehicle's shift-to-park function, where the car does not recognize that it is in park, leading to continuous alerts and requiring multiple attempts to resolve. This issue often results in the car not fully shutting down and, in some cases, rolling forward slightly. Complaints commonly arise around 90,000 miles, though some owners experience the problem earlier. Additionally, there are reports of emergency brake malfunctions, including unexpected locking and actuator burnout. Notably, two incidents involve crashes, one with injuries, linked to brake failure and unintended acceleration. These patterns suggest potential safety risks for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints6
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia frequently report issues with the vehicle not recognizing when it is shifted into park, resulting in a persistent "SHIFT TO PARK" error message. This issue can prevent the vehicle from being properly secured and may drain the battery due to incessant warning sounds. Additionally, several complaints highlight problems with the thermostat and its housing, leading to warnings about reduced steering assist and potential overheating, with one owner noting the thermostat was replaced twice in three years. These issues are reported to occur over varying timelines, with some owners reporting them shortly after they began using the vehicle. Safety implications include the potential for loss of steering assist and overheating, although no crashes or fires are explicitly mentioned in the complaints.
Owner complaints4
SUSPENSION
Owners report issues with the suspension on the 2018 GMC Acadia, particularly with control arms and toe links. Complaints frequently mention control arm failures, including a broken rear right-hand lower suspension control arm and deteriorated control arm bushings that exhibit excessive play. These issues often occur around 41,633 miles, as noted by one owner. Additionally, a failure of the toe links is described, with one owner experiencing a breakage while driving, nearly leading to a loss of control. Safety implications are evident, as the failure of these components could potentially result in crashes, especially if they occur while the vehicle is in motion. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring suspension issues and inspect these components thoroughly when considering a purchase.
Owner complaints4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Owners report recurring issues with the 2018 GMC Acadia's ability to recognize when the vehicle is in park. Complaints frequently mention a "SHIFT TO PARK" warning light appearing even when the vehicle is stationary and seemingly in park, preventing the vehicle from turning off properly. Symptoms include the vehicle remaining in accessory mode, difficulty locking doors, and the dashboard staying illuminated. Multiple owners describe needing to repeatedly shift gears and restart the vehicle to resolve the issue, with some experiencing battery drain if the problem persists. These issues occur intermittently and have been reported even after a month of ownership, but no specific mileage range is consistently noted. There are no reports of crashes or loss of control related to this issue.
Owner complaints3
SEAT BELTS
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia report issues with seat belt functionality, particularly with the front passenger and driver-side seat belts. Complaints frequently mention that the seat belts fail to latch properly, with one owner noting the problem occurred while the vehicle was stationary. Another owner describes a lack of adjustability in the passenger seat and seat belt, which results in discomfort and potential safety concerns due to the seat belt positioning. These issues are reported around the 28,000-mile mark, suggesting potential wear or defect. Buyers should be aware of these seat belt latching and adjustment concerns, as they could impact vehicle safety.
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 GMC Acadia report issues related to vehicle speed control, specifically with the cruise control system and stalling during acceleration. One owner describes the cruise control exceeding the set speed and failing to deactivate properly, requiring multiple brake applications to stop the vehicle. Another owner mentions the vehicle stalling when accelerating from 40-50 mph to highway speeds, occurring repeatedly over several months. These issues are reported at mileage around 94,000, and the symptoms pose potential safety risks due to loss of control and difficulty stopping. Buyers considering a used 2018 Acadia should be aware of these reported problems, particularly if the vehicle has higher mileage.
