2020 GMC Acadia VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2020 GMC Acadia has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 84 owner complaints on file for the 2020 GMC Acadia. Severity signals include 4 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (17), Electrical System (17), Steering (12).

Acadia reliability snapshot

62/100

Latest model-year reliability score

3.0/5

RepairPal rating (medium)

$734

Avg annual repair cost vs $573 category avg

#23/26

Ranking in midsize SUVs · better than 12% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the GMC Acadia before checking the VIN

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Most-reported 2020 GMC Acadia issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

Power Train17
Electrical System17
Steering12
Unknown Or Other6
Engine5
Fuel Propulsion System4

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2020 GMC Acadia

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

Test transmission for shuddering or rough shifting
Check engine thermostat for proper operation
Inspect fuel gauge accuracy and fuel pump function
Test steering system for reduced assist warnings
Verify all electrical components work after exposure to moisture
Ensure parking brake does not engage unexpectedly
Check for exhaust leaks, especially near catalytic converter

What owners reported

2020 GMC Acadia owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 4 crashes and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 GMC Acadia. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints17

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia frequently report issues related to the powertrain, particularly with the transmission and torque converter. Common symptoms include shuddering, rough shifting, and unintended gear shifts, with some vehicles stalling or losing power unexpectedly. These issues often appear around 15,000 to 80,000 miles, with some owners experiencing complete transmission failure. Safety implications are evident, as several reports mention loss of power while driving, which could pose a risk in traffic. Buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission problems, as they may require significant repair costs.

Owner complaints17

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report recurring electrical system issues in the 2020 GMC Acadia, with problems often emerging shortly after purchase. Common symptoms include malfunctioning door locks, lift gates, and key fobs, particularly after exposure to moisture, as well as frequent failures of the rear-view and backup cameras. Multiple owners describe complete instrument cluster failures, where all gauges and indicators drop to zero, and various electronic aids become disabled. Complaints frequently mention error codes such as U0422 and P0128, with some owners noting temporary fixes by disconnecting the battery. Safety concerns are highlighted by reports of unintended automatic braking, leading to a crash incident. These issues are reported across a range of mileages, often within the first few years of ownership.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints12

STEERING

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia frequently report issues with reduced steering assist, often accompanied by a warning message to drive with care. Complaints consistently mention that this problem is linked with other symptoms, such as inoperable air conditioning, loud cooling fans, and malfunctioning thermostat gauges. Many reports indicate these issues begin to occur around 47,000 miles, and some owners have attempted temporary fixes like battery resets. Safety concerns are noted, with several owners describing difficulty in steering, particularly at lower speeds, which may compromise vehicle control. These patterns suggest potential buyers should be aware of possible steering assist and associated system failures in this model year.

Owner complaints5

ENGINE

Owners report frequent issues with the engine thermostat in the 2020 GMC Acadia, often resulting in engine codes such as P01F0 and P0128, and requiring thermostat replacement. Symptoms include the check engine light activation and unusual temperature gauge readings, typically occurring under 55,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of exhaust leaks, particularly involving the catalytic converter and front exhaust pipes, with some incidents leading to exhaust entering the passenger compartment. These exhaust issues are noted around 58,000 to 60,000 miles and suggest potential safety implications due to exhaust fumes. Buyers should be aware of these engine-related concerns, especially regarding the thermostat and exhaust system.

Owner complaints4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia report issues primarily related to the fuel pump and fuel gauge. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle unexpectedly losing power or failing to start, often attributed to a malfunctioning fuel pump relay or module, with some owners noting repeated failures around 24,000 to 50,000 miles. Additionally, several owners describe inaccurate fuel gauge readings, leading to situations where the vehicle runs out of fuel despite the gauge indicating sufficient levels. Safety implications include sudden power loss while driving, though no crashes or fires are reported. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers, particularly regarding fuel system components.

Owner complaints3

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia frequently report issues with the parking brake engaging unexpectedly. Typical symptoms include the parking brake activating automatically when the vehicle is parked on an incline or while driving, which can cause sudden stops without warning. One complaint notes this occurred at approximately 6,276 miles, but other reports do not specify mileage. These incidents may pose safety risks due to the unexpected nature of the braking, potentially leading to loss of control. Buyers considering a used 2020 Acadia should be aware of these issues and investigate whether the vehicle has been inspected or repaired for this problem.

Owner complaints3

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, primarily involving unexpected activation and sensor malfunctions. Complaints frequently mention the automatic braking assist engaging without an apparent threat, causing sudden braking that could lead to rear-end collisions. Another common issue involves the front camera going dark, affecting the system's functionality. These problems occur without warning lights or messages, and some reports suggest the issues may become more frequent over time. The potential for unexpected braking raises safety concerns, particularly in scenarios where the vehicle could be rear-ended.

Owner complaints3

SEAT BELTS

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia report issues with the seat belt locking mechanisms. Complaints frequently mention that the front driver's side and front passenger's side seat belts fail to remain latched, with some seat belts becoming unlatched while driving. Additionally, owners describe difficulty latching the driver seatbelt on the first few attempts. These issues are typically reported around 35,000 miles. While no crashes or injuries are mentioned, these problems could have safety implications due to the potential for seat belts to become unlatched during vehicle operation.

Owner complaints3

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2020 GMC Acadia report issues with air bag functionality, with two complaints involving crashes where air bags failed to deploy. In one case, a rear-end collision resulted in injuries and unconsciousness due to non-deployment of air bags, with the vehicle having approximately 10,000 miles. Another complaint describes autonomous acceleration leading to a crash where air bags did deploy, but no injuries were reported. These patterns suggest potential risks related to air bag deployment and unintended vehicle acceleration, particularly in vehicles with relatively low mileage. Buyers should be aware of these reported issues when considering a used 2020 GMC Acadia.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

Owner complaints2

LANE DEPARTURE

Owners report recurring issues with the blind spot detection system on the 2020 GMC Acadia. Complaints frequently mention the "Service vehicle detection" and "SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE" messages appearing on the driver information center, indicating system failure. One owner notes the issue has persisted despite previous repairs, while another highlights the unreliability of the system, which began malfunctioning in December 2022. These failures raise safety implications as the system's unreliability could potentially lead to accidents if drivers rely on it for blind spot detection. Used car buyers should be aware of these reports, especially if considering a vehicle with similar timelines or service histories.

2020 Acadia recalls (6)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2020 Acadia. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 22V709000Sep 22, 2022
General 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.
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
TIRESNHTSA 21V115000Feb 25, 2021
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 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
TIRESNHTSA 20V684000Nov 5, 2020
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 manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Consequence: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
POWER TRAINNHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 20V639000Oct 15, 2020
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 manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
Consequence: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
AIR BAGSNHTSA 20V446000Jul 30, 2020
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 component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Consequence: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.

Used-market value

2020 GMC Acadia resale snapshot

57.7%estimated value retained after 5 years

235listings in the model-level benchmark

$35,260median asking price from 21 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

Full GMC Acadia market analysis at CarResaleValue →

How the 2020 GMC Acadia stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Chevrolet Traverse

Reliability: 76/100·Rivalry score: 95

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Toyota Highlander

Reliability: 84/100·Rivalry score: 90

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Honda Pilot

Reliability: 81/100·Rivalry score: 90

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Ford Explorer

Reliability: 70/100·Rivalry score: 90

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Reliability verdict for the 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia exhibits moderate reliability, trailing the segment average. With a score of 62 out of 100, it reflects a mixed performance. The vehicle's reliability concerns are not isolated, as complaints are distributed across multiple systems, including power train and electrical, each contributing equally to the overall issues. This suggests a broad range of potential problems rather than a single, concentrated defect.

The presence of six recalls further underscores an elevated risk level, indicating more frequent manufacturer interventions than desirable. Although no single issue dominates, the combined effect of these factors suggests a need for cautious consideration.

Overall, the 2020 GMC Acadia presents an elevated reliability risk compared to its peers, warranting careful evaluation for potential buyers.

What you get in a 2020 GMC Acadia report

Available title brand history

Odometer readings & rollback detection

Accident & damage records

Auction sales with photos

Open safety recalls

Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2020 GMC Acadia — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 GMC Acadia reliable?

How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Acadia have?

6 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2020 GMC Acadia. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2020 GMC Acadia problems?

The most-reported 2020 GMC Acadia problem areas are: Power Train (17), Electrical System (17), Steering (12).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2020 GMC Acadia?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2020 GMC Acadia, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.