First generation
2016 GMC Acadia
The most reported problem on the 2016 GMC Acadia is airbag, with 130 complaints.
- 236owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 8involved a crash
- 50,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Acadia doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 GMC Acadia reliable?
The 2016 GMC Acadia has 236 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Acadia model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 21 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs well under the 2017 (70). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: airbag, named in 130 of the 236 complaints (55%). Too few of the airbag reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 9 of the 236 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 8 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 16 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 8, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (21V-246 and 23V-334). A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 66 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 17. So far in 2026, 12 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 130 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
236 complaints is about the median for a 2016 model on this site and about the median for a 2016 SUV. Among the 8 Acadia model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Acadia
GMC filed 1,177 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 GMC Acadia. 74 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 2 bulletins · 130 complaints
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 6 bulletins · 14 complaints
This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
4 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates a possible power steering fluid leak above the engine harness to to the rear( Bank 1) heated Oxygen sensor and direction to replace all involved parts due to this contamination and leak.
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed the power steering system to correct a condition of power steering noise or fluid leak from power steering pump, gear or high pressure hose during extreme low temperature conditions.
Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During Extreme Low Temperature Conditions
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 33 bulletins · 12 complaints
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of XM Radio Displays Willies Roadhouse on All Channels.
N172097060 Special Coverage Adjustment. Certain vehicles may have a condition where the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) modules may fail or malfunction due to water intrusion.
31 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates of a concern with XM Radio displaying Willies Roadhouse on all channels under the genre section.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the navigation system will be unable to enter addresses that contain diacritics using the touch screen.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
This informational bulletin provides information to the customer on the radio display "info pages" being blank and to make sure to select in the "active info pages" menu.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that may complain of various concerns when using Bluetooth components.
Plus 21 older ones not listed here.
Seat belt or seat problems 6 bulletins · 9 complaints
This engineering information (EI) closure ends the need for information from the field for a condition of drivers seat track will not adjust forward and/or backwards and becomes seized.
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from the field to determine a root cause for a condition of drivers seat track will not adjust forward and/or backwards and becomes seized.
4 more on this problem
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPOSITION THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE FOR CONCERNS REGARDING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING OR LATCH PLATE COMING TWISTED.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLES WITH SECOND AND/OR THIRD ROW BENCH SEAT CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE BUCKLE SIDE.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure to reposition the driver or passenger seat and install shims to correct a condition of a creak noise originating from the seat track due to a malfunction within the seat mount.
This informational bulletin provides information to advise dealers about seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning light illumination, as well as difficulty latching and unlatching the buckle or the buckle release button sticking.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 4 bulletins · 7 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of potential reduced engine power message displayed and/or engine stall with DTCs P1682 and/or P0689 Set.
2 more on this problem
N192210240 Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain vehicles shown above, may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge valve to not fully close. If this condition occurs, the engine could run rough, hesitate or stall at idle speeds.
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 7 bulletins · 7 complaints
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air.
5 more on this problem
This Technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the auxiliary evaporator blower motor to correct an A/C Inop, Blows Warm Air or Poor Performance Due to Low Refrigerant Charge conditions.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the evaporator, blower/fan assembly and thoroughly clean the interior of the evaporator case to correct a customer concern that the A/C is blowing warm, is exhibiting poor performance or of a general ...
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE AN OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE INOPERATIVE.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to Replace Auxiliary Evaporator, Blower Motor Assembly and Clean Case for concerns regarding A/C Inoperative, Blows Warm or Poor Performance Due to Low Refrigerant Charge, Freon Leak
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have intermittently the air conditioning blows warm.
Battery dies or the car will not start 3 bulletins · 6 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to help the dealership technicians perform a parasitic drain test for the OnStar module.
This informational bulletin provides information that may be useful in diagnosing/testing batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or set in cold weather climates to correct a customer concern of symptoms that include, but not limited to, a slow ...
1 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of floor wet under carpet, engine continues to run with key off, possible no crank/no start, communication loss, various electrical concerns.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 13 bulletins · 5 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
11 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a procedure to replace the upper and lower valve body housings to correct customer concerns of launch shudder, 2-3 Upshift or 3-2 Downshift concerns.
This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the upper and lower valve body housings to correct launch shudder, 2-3 Upshift or 3-2 Downshift concerns.
Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the upper and lower valve body housings to correct the customer concern of launch shudder.
SHAKE AND/OR SHUDDER DURING LIGHT THROTTLE ACCELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 128 KM/H (25 AND 80 MPH) AT A STEADY STATE.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have harsh 1-2 shift, mostly on light throttle with no Diagnostic Trouble Codes present.
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES TO COMPLETE A TRANSSMISSION ADAPTIVE LEARN ON ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES AND TRANSMISSIONS BASED ON RPO OPTIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF HARSH SHIFTS ON HARD ACCELLERATIONS.
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
66 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2016 GMC Acadia
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
All 4 recalls on the 2016 GMC Acadia, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Acadia?
Airbag, with 130 of the 236 complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Acadia problems start?
Of the 70 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 37,000 miles and half by about 50,000.
Is the 2016 GMC Acadia better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has fewer complaints than the 2017: 21 a year against 70.
How many 2016 GMC Acadia complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
9 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2016 GMC Acadia?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls on the same system: 21V-246 and 23V-334. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.