The vehicle refused to shift out of first gear and the check engine light became illuminated upon pulling out into the roadway. At 25 miles per hour the rpms were 4000 and it just would not shift. We pulled over, called for help and were stranded on the side of the road with two small children. We were hours away from home, and had to call family from hundreds of miles away to come help. The vehicle after being turned off and sitting for a while did then return to normal operation when restarted. Vehicle was driven home and two days later the very same problem recurred. Going to trade in this pos before someone gets hurt.
2008 GMC Acadia electrical complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 153, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When the ignition switch was turned on, the car started, but rather than return to the "on" position, the switch returned to the "off" position and the motor turned off. This has happened numerous times, but only one time when the vehicle was actually in motion.
When first starting engine a loud pop would occur. Signals, clock,stereo, dome light, battery gauge stopped working. Chevrolet dealer replaced the stereo and amplifier ($1500 ). Then if I left acadia in the rain I would find a small puddle of water on the floor under the emergency brake and a drop of water on the air bag on the driver side in front of the vehicle. Was told it could be the sun roof tubes were blocked so I took it to the auto glass place and had the tubes cleaned out. Very concerned about the water because I do not want to loose power in vehicle again. Just went on a trip and had to park outside in parking area and had a real puddle on my mat and underneath the mat. Today I called an auto windshield repair shop to see if the windshield could be leaking and was told that if the car was not in an accident or if it has not had the windshield replaced, they didn't think it would be the windshield leaking, that gm was good about installing and sealing the windshield. My car is kept in the garage and I am the only driver. It has never been in an accident and I am afraid that the wiring will short out, cause a soft spot in the floor, or start a fire. This automobile has only 69,285 miles and has been very well taken care of by only general motors dealerships. Serious problem involving wet elements and electrical problems here. Please let me know what to do!
Driving at 35mph, touched brake to slow down for a stoplight, vehicle stopped running. I placed in park and turned ignition to restart vehicle, stabiltrack light came on, and drove home with no other incident.had a full tank of gas.
In 2011, our acadia electrical system started to malfunction. First the driver's side headlight wiring burnt. We had that replaced. After the headlight, we started noticing the engine light was coming on and the air bag sensor was notifying us that the air bags will not deploy. None of the sounds where coming on in the car. For example, if you were not wearing your seatbelt the "dinging" did not happen. I took the acadia in for service and they told me it was my cell phone that triggered the defect. I thank god I was not in an accident however if gmc knew of the defects why not be up front with us. My family and I travel plenty. Safety is the number one concern, we bought the acadia faithfully and hopes gmc provides the best service possible.
Turned off vehicle when arrived home. Opened the door and realized car was still running, keys were in my hand. Put key back in ignition and jiggled, nothing happened, car still running. Turned key to middle and then to start, turned off again and car finally shut off. I tried to start again to see if happened and the yellow light (malfunction light) came on. This time I was able to shut off the car. Called dealer to schedule service for this issue and recall 14030 that I just received in the mail, they can't get me in until july 11th. A few hours later I went out to car to put acadia manual and grocery bags back in vehicle, unable to unlock back door with remote. Tried to start car but nothing happens except clicking noise and the yellow malfunction light comes on. Odometer reading above is estimate because the car is dead, unable to view actual odometer reading.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle remained powered on after removing the key from the ignition. The contact put the key back in the ignition and shifted into park in order to turn the vehicle off but the key would not turn in the off position. The contact made several attempts to remove the key to no avail. The key remained stuck in the ignition and the battery was drained due to the failure. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed and diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Water leaking into vehicle cabin entering through panoramic sunroof and ending in the electronic components under the driver side causing multiple dashboard warning lights to turn on and inoperable at times when lit. On two instances vehicle unable to start took to dealership for repairs and after a few days and unable to replicate was sent home. Currently breaks and electronic stability control lights come on and off intermittently and unable to operate cruise control.
In light of the all the safety recalls by gm for ignition switch failures, I believe that my wife's crash in our 2008 gmc acadia was the direct cause of the ignition switch failing. Driving north bound on az route 89 in the area of prescott, az called the granite dells, the car proceeded straight where the road turns slightly to the right. The cat proceeded into and partially up a granite stone out cropping on the opposite side of the road. The car then went air borne landing up side down on its roof in the middle of route 89. I believe that this accident happened due to ignition switch failure which in turn shut off the engine, power steering, and the entire air bag system which in this accident fail to deploy. My wife was air lifted to northern arizona medical center in flagstaff, az for sever head injure from which she has recovered. It is my belief that the ignition failures that have shown up on other gm cars is also a problem for the 2008 gmc acadia and possibly other like models of gm vehicles. In my opinion it has to be ignition switch failure that shut down the engine, power steering and air bag system causing this accident.
Water sloshing under the glove box, and getting on passenger's shoes. Pulled plastic housing around blower motor to find it completely filled with water (same as described at this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnykjlhusxi). Turns out the sunroof drain is clogged and the interior is filling with water (like in this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxzygdlln-u). The battery compartment is full of water.
1. Accelerator pedal stuck to floor at 60mph and continued to pick up speed until driver threw car to neutral as brakes would not engage 2. Air bag system has not been functional 3. Tpms is inoperable light always on 4. Seats are composed of polyurethane molded foam causing an array of health issues for myself and 2 children as car gets extremely hot 5. Brakes engage during high speeds randomly causing car to slide 6. Heavy metals/air plane parts found in many places of car 7. Fumes inside constantly improperly routed fuel/emission system? 8. Transmitters, ignition will not turn over unless fm transmitter in key is attached, should not be a hybrid or grid operated vehicle. Spray foam and welded metal composed much of vehicle. Medical white packing in much of gaps with a contaminated smell 9. Lots of money trying to repair damage, owner filed bankruptcy lots of medical bills. Dealers and manufacturer do nothing, I have wrote letters and many phone calls. 10. Microwave effect on anyone in car along with magnetic pulls. I myself have had this car since feb 2011. I have lost some nerve function on left side of my body leaving me with multiple scars for life down left side of body and center forehead resembling radiation burns but I never underwent radiation. I lost my hair in 2012 along with joint damages. Please do something, I am not an experiment and never agreed to be one!
So the window switches don"t work, when I'm trying to open the window it will open but then it won't close back, the steering wheel makes squeaking noises and most important the most costly thing to repair was the transmission. We purchased the car used with 53,000 miles on and after driving another 20,000 miles the transmission broke I had to pay out of my packet about 4,000 dollars for the repair I have two small children and when it comes for safety im not sure if we should keep the vehicle. When I'm reading all those recall issues I'm getting worried about my kids safety.
We bought our 2008 gmc acadia in january 2008. The battery died in july 2008 while vacationing in canada leaving us stranded. After it went dead several more times the dealership replaced it. The air conditioning went out several times in 2010 and we had to pay to have the AC recharged twice since. In july 2013 we had to have the transmission replaced when it stopped shifting into gear. Our warranty had expired in january of that year. The dealership did get gm to pay half but it still cost us almost $2,000.00. Now it is at the dealership again and we have to replace the entire steering column as it lost power steering at low speeds. We are having it repaired at an estimate of nearly $1,800.00 more. This vehicle cost about $36,000.00 in 2008. Since then we have paid thousands of dollars just to keep it on the road and safe. This is a lemon and I would like to see a recall for both the transmission and loss of steering at low speeds. I see that both of these are common problems with this vehicle. I would like to be reimbursed for our expenses.
Headlamp wiring melted the headlamp module and bulb receptacle there was no fire but there could have been I was informed there was a service directive on this that expired on 12/31 but I still had to pay $240 to have it repaired when I googled the problem I found multiple complaints about this defect. I feel it is something you should look into.
2008 gmc acadia. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle ignition issues. *smd the consumer stated on april 18, 2014, he went to start the vehicle and despite repeated efforts, the key would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. According to the invoice, the ignition lock cylinder was binding. It was replaced at a cost of $ 321.85.
Bought this life altering mess of a vehicle in june 2013 with 77k miles. Since that time a wide spectrum of issues have arose and cost me for than just money. Windshield wiper quit working and needed to be fixed (I now see that was a recall) constant electric issues in using beeping, lighting up at inappropriate times, not registering a grown adult in passenger seat. Also, leaking transmission fluid. Gm did cover that charge which was no help with the rear end that had to be replaced at a cost of nearly $3000. Transmission still (before leak "fixed") and after will read idle transmission hot at many times. Leaking water when we receive heavy rains. Leaking comes from drivers side airbag "label") I have been financially strapped because of this vehicle I had worked and saved so hard for just trying to keep my job! I need my vehicle to work and my life is at risk when I'm forced to get behind the wheel because of these issues that gm is aware of. With the money I've spent (I'm a single working mother with two young sons) because of gm turning a blind eye I am in dire need of the proper resolution to this year long devastation of preventable events. Please assist me in this fore I'm unable to go further with continuing to fix problems that thousands of other owners are having with the same vehicle. Thank you. In 2011 my children and myself lost our home to a devastating flood that rocked our city and as of feb 2014 we were finally able to move out of the camper and get a home. I cannot prevent a flood and all the pain it caused myself and my children but I will not cease to fight for what it right. That is replacing my vehicle with equal, reliable safe vehicle immediately! After all, this was completely preventable and should've been fixed before now. Please help me. Thank you for your time.
My 2008 acadia transmission failed as I exited a highway (70 MPH) and was going up the exit ramp. It began bucking like a horse. Once I pulled over and parked, I could not go in reverse. The car had to be towed and a new transmission had to be put in it after only 56k miles. Also have had the sunroof / moon roof trays overflow because the drainage tubes are not large enough to drain all the water from the trays. The dealership stated it was a poor design and nothing could be done to replace it. Now water has entered my vehicle causing the electrical box to become wet causing the horn to blow randomly and the car to continue running after turning it off and removing the key.
Blower motor inoperative. Replaced 08/12/11 and 06/06/12. It has an intermittent problem at the moment. Living in the north in the winter time it is impossible to defrost the window if the blower motor doesn't work.
While driving the car, I felt water drip from overhead and heard sloshing noises. Shortly thereafter, water began leaking from airbag indicia. Though the vehicle was turned off and key removed, the engine continued to run. Imagine how unsafe to turn off a vehicle, remove the key and the engine to remain running. Before I could get to service, the temperature plummeted to below zero, and I could not get the defroster to work. I scraped the interior of the windows, but without heat, fogged again. Zero visibility. The dealer said there were multiple points where water was seeping into the car, wreaking havoc with the electrical system, including HVAC, defroster. Service tech said there was "blower mower" failure. After some research, I discovered my vehicle had same problems as gmc acadia campaign 08207, with failure of sunroof part 25930220, which affected limited VIN numbers. We also discovered the airbags are not working from the water damage to the electrical system. The current status of this getting repaired is unknown -- obvious safety concerns! In addition, I had noticed floor mats being damp, but assumed a consequence of the snow and rain. I am convinced that the leak/damp floor mats is reason for the mildew/mold smell. Each of these problems are well documented in their tsbs. I was also shocked to find so many similar complaints! Please, please review the correlation between tsbs electrical system failures and repairs to the leaking hose. Of course, gmc denies this is their problem, and says repairs will all be at my expense. Finally, I am not the first person to have this problem! Surely, the fact that I (and many, many others) are having the exact leak problems as referenced in gmc campaign 08207 indicates that problem went beyond those VIN#s. They are hiding a big problem. Help!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that after the ignition was turned off and the key removed the vehicle remained on for five minutes. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
Transmission started failing and finally went out at 108,000 miles, sitting in our driveway and we had to have it towed to dealer. Gm dealer replaced it under warranty but the labor cost us several thousand dollars. Now at 170,000 miles, this remanufactured transmission is now going out. It sticks in low speed and then overheats driving 65mph in 40deg weather. The dealer claims that a stretched timing chain has to be fixed first, before the transmission, at a cost of $1944. They also said the on board computer didn't store the numerous overheated transmission events that began occurring immediately after the remanufactured transmission was installed at 108,000 miles. The gm dealer is trying to tell me that the transmission is probably ok and that the overheating is due to some other reason, but he then couldn't even guess at what the other reasons might be! The fluid level is good, and the vehicle has a tow package with a cooler for the transmission fluid. Gm dealer said the transmission will be covered by warranty, which will likely mean another several thousand dollar labor charge on top of the so called stretched timing chain cost of $1,900. The power steering pump has been whining for about a year and is getting loud. The navigation and dvd player system failed twice. Might be time to trade the vehicle for something more reliable. My wife is getting scared to drive it too far and end up being broken down in atlanta traffic...very dangerous.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc arcadia. The contact stated that the sunroof was leaking due to a shortage in the electrical system. In addition, the vehicle would not immediately shut off once the key was removed from the ignition. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the mechanic diagnosed that the tubing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Passenger side headlight failed to properly function, bulb was changed and still failed to function properly. Problem seems rooted in manufacturer's wire harness not properly functioning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that the air bag, the stability control, and traction control warning lights failed along with the daytime running lights failed. The contact also stated that the engine overheated and the power steering also failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the light bulb was replaced but the failure recurred. The dealer was also unable to diagnose the other failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current mileage was 112,000.
Had to wait to give my daughter a ride. Sat in the pouring rain for about 40 minutes. Put the car in drive and began to pull forward and water poured down the windshield from the inside. Water also came in from the front left curtain airbag and the visor arm. Engine began to idle rough. Anti-lock brakes grab on low speed slow down. Our area of texas is drought prone so no more significant rain until july 14-16. Water pours in the front windshield, both driver and passenger side. Water from curtain airbags and under the dash. Standing water in the floor board. Obd light is on and my parking break warning light turns on and off. Park assist goes on and off. The warning chime comes on while driving and won't turn off. No telling how much damage all of this will cause. I have one more payment until the thing is mine free and clear. No warranty and no recourse. It figures.
While out shopping with my children when I attempted to turn off the vehicle to depart for the mall, the ignition turned to the off position, I removed the key but the car remained on. I then noticed that the check engine light illuminated. Shortly after, the car began shaking violently; I assume as it was attempting to shut off. I inserted the key, shifted into to reverse, pulled out of spot and then back in again. Proceeded to turn vehicle off and again, key removed but car still running. Again the violent shaking along with loud noises began. Afraid, I instructed my children to leave the vehicle. We got a comfortable distance from the vehicle and continued to watch. It took 25 minutes for the car to shut totally down. When I went back to the car, as I opened the door, I noticed the warning sound as if the key was in the ignition and also although the entire dash was off, the check engine light was still on, (im not sure how since the car was "off" and no key inserted). I drove the car home and the same thing happened when exiting the vehicle. The car remained on, began shaking and the check engine light also stayed on after the car was totally shut down. Very scary experience. I noticed via the internet that this was not a new issue. I wonder why gm would not have corrected this problem with its vehicles by now. I am a single parent and my teenage daughter sometimes has to run errands for me in this vehicle, I would hate for this to happen when im not with her.... Its was frightening enough for me!
I have had multiple problems with the daytime driving lights over heating and causing the entire headlight assembly to melt. Incidences on 8-1-09 8-15-09 4-8-10 and 11-15-12. And again in 2013. The fact that there is enough heat to melt the assembly to the housing tells me there is possibility of a fire. This is obviously a design and mechanical flaw of the vehicle. The consumer end of this is that along with the chance of fire, the vehicle's design requires the entire front grill to be removed in order to replace the headlight wiring harness and housing. This labor intensive method means that replacing this part can cost upward of $900. And it still does not address the initial problem of the overheating that caused the wiring harness to melt into the housing. So you are just waiting for it to happen again and hope that it is within the 30 days warranty for repairs. And wondering if my car is going to catch fire.
2008 gmc acadia- steering problems!!- 65,000 started noticing power steering loss when slow turning sometimes...off and on...then got more often and much worse...replaced rack ($300).....problem still not fixed...next trying to replace power steering pump ($$ yet to find out)...recall on headlight- socket melted and replaced....airbag light continues to come off and on...traction control, stability track, and airbag light come off and on randomly. No sound...took to gmc dealership, they told us it was the radio. Replaced radio($450), still didn't work. Dealership stated amp blew and needed new amp ($400)...thought it was the amp the entire time due to the cd player working visually, but no sound in entire vehicle for any electronic feature. Shifting randomly when going down highway. Gas mileage horrible-- about 14 to 14 .5mpg-- much worse than when we first got it at 48,000...love the look and when it works....why is there no recall will the power steering?? Come on gmc step up and do the right thing already!!!
We were parked with the back end up on a slope, when we went down onto level ground a large amount of water came in between our windshield and ceiling- it poured onto our passenger side dash. We thought we got all the water soaked up right away. The next morning our car was making a clicking sound and wouldn't start. It wouldn't give the key back. When we jumped it- it wouldn't shut off. We had to unhook the battery- very dangerous. This went on for days.
My vehicle sat out in the rain over night and the next day when I got to work I shut the car off and got out of the car. When I got out of the car I noticed that the engine was still running, so I got back in the car and all lights were off only the engine was still running. I turned the key over and then back and then at that point the engine stopped. When I returned to my car that evening after work my car was dead. It took two guys 30 minutes to get my battery to charge. Once my battery was charged my service air bag light remained on. The next morning my car was dead when I turned the key absolutely nothing turned on and I could not get the keys out of the ignition. The car is currently sitting in my garage and we are trying to determine what step to take if we should get it towed to a dealer to look at, but looking at other reviews it seems like this is a common problem with no resolution at the dealership. In the past and on this occasion my vehicle was leaking water mainly above the driver side visor area. I often would notice water on the passenger floor and water in the third row lights ceiling area. So I am assuming my electronics are wet and when they dry out my car will act normal again. I can not believe that there is not a recall or some type of remedy for this. I guess from now on my vehicle needs to go in the garage, but what happens when my family is on a trip. I can not rely on my car so not sure what the point of keeping it is, but I sure don't want to keep passing my car off on some other poor person. There needs to be a remedy. I would like to have a reliable car and I am also worried about the safety for my family with electrical shorts and fire hazard due to the water leakage problems.
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