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2008 GMC Acadia transmission complaints

Page 9 of 10: complaints 221 to 250 of 279, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2008 GMC Acadia transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the third and fifth gears in the transmission had failed and the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · CA

Transmission on 2008 gmc acadia stopped working. Towed to lehmer's gmc in concord, ca. Advised that transmission must be rebuilt or replaced.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Transmission · TX

I own a gmc acadia 2008 that started having transmission problems one year ago (july 2012), I was on a busy highway in austin, tx and had my three young daughters with me when I started noticing I couldn't accelerate very well. Next day my gmc acadia just stopped in the middle of a road and I couldn't accelerate at all, thank god this time my daughters were not in the car with me. I had the car towed and it turned out the problem was a broken wave plate which seems to be a very common problem with gmc acadias 2007 and 2008.

Filed Jun 25, 2013 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · TX

On a trip from texas to colorado our transmission failed. Driving on saturday - transmission was acting funny. Stopped for night - got up next day to pull out of parking lot onto highway and transmission slipped out of gear - couldn't get it back into gear - managed to steer to right hand side shoulder. Could have been disastrous if I had made it out onto highway with cross-traffic coming. Looking on edmunds.com it seems this is a very persistent issue with gm acadias & buick enclave gm models.

Filed Jun 21, 2013 · Transmission · 100,200 miles · IL

On june 19, 2013 I was driving my 2008 gmc acadia from my home to work. I needed to turn right from my residential side street onto a major four lane highway. I had a red light but could turn right on red if I yielded to oncoming traffic. There was a car approaching traveling the same direction as I was turning but I knew I had sufficient time to turn and accelerate before the car reached me. As I was turning right from my side street onto the highway, I pressed the gas to accelerate and the car began to move forward but at a very, very slow pace, the engine began to rev very loudly, and the car was jerking very badly. At that point I was fully on the highway but could not accelerate my car. Luckily there were no cars in the far left lane of the highway, so the oncoming car was able to change lanes and avoid rear ending me as he was traveling approximately 55 MPH and my car would not get past 5 MPH. Even though there were no warning signs indicated on my dashboard, such as the check engine light, I took my car to the repair shop that day as I knew something was very wrong with it. I have been informed that the wave plate on my transmission has gone bad and I need an entirely new transmission. It is my understanding this is a very common problem with this year and make of car.

Filed Jun 19, 2013 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · GA

We were driving down the road and all of the sudden the car made a loud roaring noise like someone was mashing the accelerator to the floor. The transmission seemed like it did not know what gear it was in hence going from 50 MPH to 30 rapidly could have caused a serious accident. Had I been the middle of an intersection or pulling out into traffic it could have caused a life threatening accident. We contacted onstar and the codes indicated transmission problem of a broken wave plate. Code p2715 the acadia will not back up at all. There are numerous blogs of people having the same problems with the acadia's wave plate ranging in the year of 2007-2009. Seems like it is a really bad design and not strong enough for this type of SUV. I can not understand why gmc is not recalling or offering to pay to fix these faulty transmissions. I am about to be out $4,000 because I have no warranty left and gmc and carmax are not willing to help. I have only had this vehicle for 4 months and it only has 93,000 miles and it makes me sick because the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty was out in january. I am ashamed for gmc not wanting to make it right and that our safety is of no interest to them. Gmc claims I don't have a strong enough business case because I bought from carmax and not from a certified gmc dealer. I previously owned a chevrolet trailblazer and didn't have this many problems and it had 130,000 miles when I sold it to get this one. I don't think I will be buying any gmc product again since they apparently don't have enough faith past 5 years for a transmission or engine which is pitiful for an american owned company. Now we are not able to go on our yearly vacation thanks to gmc and their unwillingness to back their products that they know are faulty. Thank you for listening to my valid complaint and my concern for everyone's safety who owns an acadia.

Filed Jun 14, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 74,000 miles · KS

We purchased our 2008 acadia in 2011, it had approximately 30,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. Less than thirty days after purchase we had to replace the front rotors. At 40,000 miles we had to replace the front brakes; the air conditioner backed up, which required maintenance to the blower motor; and the head lights went out, which required replacement. At 45,000 miles the rear struts went out, which required replacement; and we had to replace two tires. At 60,000 miles the water pump went out and needed to be replaced. At 55,000 miles the front struts went out, which needed replacing, along with four new tires, and a new set of headlights. At 60,000 miles the rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. At 70,000 miles the transmission went out, which also required replacement. The final incident happened on 6/10/13 at 74,000 miles, while I was driving with all three of my children. I was going 50 miles an hour on a highway, and the entire car shut down. The steering console locked with the keys in the ignition, I had no ability to steer the vehicle, the brakes did not function either. I had to use the parking brake to slow the vehicle down, barely avoiding a collision with another vehicle.

Filed Jun 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 83,000 miles · NY

While driving on a highway, the car went into neutral and lost power. After a few seconds, it went into low gear and would not shift into a higher gear. The transmission required a re-build two years earlier at 62,000 miles and is now failing again. We were told the transmission must be re-built yet again. We cannot drive the car as the loss of power and slipping transmission is very dangerous. The transmission design, and the subsequent repair by the dealer, was faulty. As our warranty expired 4 months ago, we were a new transmission was required at $4,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2013 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · MS

While traveling down the road at highway speeds, the vehicle looses power on its own, and down shifts to first gear at times, without the ability to shift into higher gears. Also at times, you pull up to a intersection, and the vehicle will not pull off under its own power. Vehicle has 80,000 miles on it, with a 100,000 mile power train warranty. Gm says the warranty went out in october of 2012. The vehicle has multiple history of gm reprogramming the transmission, and the vehicle has been serviced regular.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Airbags, Transmission · 67,000 miles · AL

1. Transmission going out at 67k miles and appears to be very prevalent with this make and model of vehicle. Very dangerous as the car will not go into gear at any given time and basically leaves you stuck in neutral in the middle of a busy highway. 2. Service air bag light stays on after dealership claims to have fixed the problem. If in a crash, have no idea if we will be protected. Not a comfortable feeling.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · OR

While driving at about 45mph, the vehicle lost power to the wheels, the engine raced and the transmission appeared to fail. The vehicle was shut off, and restarted with only 1st and 2nd gear available and was moved to safety. The problem occurred at approximately 55,000 miles. A p0776 code was pulled from the computer and the gmc dealer checked the problem and concluded that the 3,5,r wave plate in the transmission failed and will require a full rebuild. With the numerous complaints about this specific problem, I'm very disappointed in gm for their lack of customer support in what appears to be a manufacturing defect in the 6t70 transmissions, as this issue is occurring in 2007-2009 gmc acadias, buick enclaves, chevrolet traverses and the saturn vues. Do something gm!

Filed May 11, 2013 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · AE

The car transmission has failed as soon as the car turned 5 years. The car has been rarely driven. After checking with many garages I have found that the gmc acadia 2008 model has a been known for transmission failures by design and it is not an isolated case. This is a rip off.

Filed May 6, 2013 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · WI

There was a "clunk" upon acceleration from stopped, soon after vehicle would not move. Wave plate was destroyed in transmission causing a need to be rebuilt, as so many, if not all others in 2007-2009 gmc acadias have been. Out of pocket cost to me is $3,500 because gm used a $2 part instead of an $8 part. This is an huge safety issue that is stranding people, mothers with children, in dangerous situations, all the while, gm is well aware of the problem and solution but refuses to step up and take responsibility for it. There needs to be a safety recall for this issue.

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 112,000 miles · VA

Transmission blew.

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 56,845 miles · TX

I was driving my 2008 gmc acadia along with my sister and her two god children. We were at a red light and proceeded to go when the light turned green. Got up to 20mph and the SUV jerked severely. Once it jerked the SUV would not go over that mileage. We were all scared! I took them home and drove to a gm dealership. I paid $114.00 for a diagnostic test and was told they did not know what was wrong. They speculated that a wave plate broke or moved. They advised in order to know for sure, I would have to pay 900.00 plus for a deeper diagnostic! I'm under my 100k mileage and no one is honoring that. I'm a mba student and don't have that kind of cash! I've only had this SUV for 3 years. I bought it used, had only one owner before me, and it was under 20k miles. Sounds like gm's product is not reliable and they do not stand behind their product. I tried to buy an american product to put help our economy and this is the repayment for it! I'm going back to foreign cars, I will never purchase another gm built vehicle as long as I breath!

Filed Apr 19, 2013 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · CT

My car engine starting revving while driving at normal speeds. While driving with my 3 children in the car, it came to a dead stop and couldn't go in reverse. The vehicle was towed and then diagnosed with a broken 35r clutch wave plate. Had to have the transmission rebuilt at 48k miles. The car had been driven less than 10k miles a year for 5.5 years.

Filed Apr 8, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 81,125 miles · MS

While driving down interstate state at 70mph I came up on slower traffic and had to slow down to 60-65mph before I could change lanes. Once changing lanes and as I went to accelerate the vehicle seemed to downshift and RPM went from 1800-2000 to 5000 and the vehicle basically stalled for about 5 seconds causing a 18 wheeler to basically all but wreck to keep from killing me and my other 5 family members in the vehicle. I pulled over at the next exit and made sure there was no kind of transmission codes or anything to show up on the dash but I still checked my fluids and everything checked to ok. I had 325 more miles to get home so I basically had to baby it to the house. It happened several more times during the trip but that was the worst. I have also experience on several occasions that the airbag in the passenger side front seat turns itself on and off for no apparent reason with the same individual sitting in it who weighs 130lbs. At first I just thought it may have been the way they were sitting but I weigh 200lbs and it did the same with me. I'm hoping to get these problems resolved by dealer tomorrow but with so many transmissions doing the same thing the gov & gmc need to take charge of this issue and get the [xxx] problem fixed before more people have issue and get killed or injured. *tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Steering, Transmission · 21,431 miles · IN

I have been very disappointed with my vehicle! When I was in the market for a new vehicle I new I wanted the acadia. I have been a long time customer at my local dealership and when I arrived at the lot they had just brought in a 2008 that had one owner. I was ecstatic because it was everything I could want and not as expensive as a 2012. When I first started driving it was great I loved it! I bought the car with 8,000 or so miles on it and as time went on I started to notice that it wasn't driving like it did the first day I bought it. I drive to and from work 5 days week roughly 35 miles a day. I was in town at the bank and as I started to pull out into the lane my RPM's went sky high and wouldn't come back down and I could not accelerate. I was so scared I pulled over in the next available spot and turned off the car. I waited for 5 minutes, turned it back on and proceeded to pull into traffic. Ever since that day my car has been in the shop twice for transmission issues. I currently have 29,000 miles on the car and it drives like crap! I have it aligned, tires rotated, and I cannot get a smooth ride. The steering wheel shimmies over 50 MPH, shimmies when I hit the breaks, my heater doesn't seem to work well unless it is on 85 way too hot. I now have to take the car back into the shop yet again for the same thing transmission failure, alignment off, and who knows what else. I read a lot reviews on this model and seems as though we have all experienced the same issues. I have been a long time pontiac/gmc buyer and I am very disappointed in gm for not taking this transmission thing serious. How many more complaints do you need to receive before something is done? Fatal accident? In which case I hope it isn't me but also nobody else. Please fix this issue it has been a thorn for some time and it's about time that gm do something about it!

Filed Mar 20, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 82,000 miles · TX

Vehicle leaks water when it rains onto driver and front passenger. Water leaks into airbags and visors. After rains, vehicle will not turn off, even with key removed. Vehicle rolls significantly while in park or when in gear. Transmission skips and slips.

Filed Mar 14, 2013 · Transmission · 81,110 miles · LA

I purchased a 2008 gmc acadia one year ago. It seemed like we had made a god sent deal and now we are finding out that the transmission is going out. Our family doesn't have a whole lot of money to just throw away and we put down $5000 and now we are looking down the barrel of a transmission. Not fair considering the dealership apparently knew it was about to go out. I was driving with 3 other teens in my car and all of a sudden it wouldn't go faster than 25 MPH.

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Airbags, Steering · 68,000 miles · TX

My wife was driving the vehicle and approached a stop sign. Once she tried going again the car would not accelerate and we had to tow it to the dealer. They said the transmission went out @ 68,000 miles? Also the waterpump, powersteering pump. Master cylinder, as well as something with an air bag connector. The air bag connector has been going on and off for the last two years since we bought it two years ago as a gm certified pre-owned vehicle. I am not sure how this vehicle has not been recalled.

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Transmission · 76,462 miles · AK

I was driving down the highway on friday afternoon at 65 MPH when I tried to accelerate to pass a vehicle, and the engine just revved nearly to the redline. I was able to reach the exit, where I pulled over, put the car in park, then back into drive to start off again. At this point, the car would not shift out of 1st gear. I was able to make it to a midas shop for a check and they stated that the transmission was shot. Called the local gmc dealer and had the car towed there for a diagnostic. They called saturday afternoon and confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $3700. The car is 24k miles under warranty mileage, but just happens to be 5 months outside of the 5 year warranty window. I then called gmc customer care for redress and was told they would investigate. Received a call today ad they left a message, but only to ask which dealership it was at, even though I provided that info on saturday, to include the phone number to the service department. The transmission problem seems to very widespread based on the number of responses on various websites, but doesn't seem that it is being seriously addressed by gm management and is a very serious safety concern.

Filed Mar 8, 2013 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shook and independently decelerated to 10 MPH then stalled. After restarting, the transmission failed to shift into reverse. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the transmission wave plate fractured which caused internal damage. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2013 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · NE

Transmission started slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear then two days later just quit in a drive thru lane at a fast food. Couldn't get into any gear. I had to have people push it out to a safe location. Towed it home. Now I have a $18,000 piece of scrap metal sitting in my driveway.

Filed Feb 27, 2013 · Airbags, Lights · 5,000 miles · IL

I was taking my daughter to florida for cheer leading competition; I was just outside of illinois when the check airbag light and message screen came on thankfully the light went off but came back on on our way back to chicago and kept coming on and off. Took it to dealer but they only said that the harness was tight they only wiggled it and light went off but came back a couple of days later. Then the power steering started making noise dealer said they didn't hear anything and didn't do anything and noise is getting louder. Then suspension stared it making noise. Took it to dealer and had tie rods replaced. Then the service airbag problem came back and this time didn't go away. Took it to the dealer and they said that the harness was to tight and they rerouted it so it wasn't tight anymore. Worked for a couple of days and its on again but I didn't take it back and now is past its warranty.then head lamp went out. Had to pay dealer $180 (rip off) next the other head light went out. My nephew replaced it in less than 10 min. Now there is a recall for that head light problem. Then wipers arm came loose from motor I had my cousin fix it for me. Now I have had the check engine light on for a couple of weeks took it to autozone came back with the code to replace the canister purge solenoid now I have the transmission problem, it started to act funny shifting pretty hard some times and then a few days ago I was driving on the freeway coming home when I notice the rpms at about 45000 and it wouldn't change gears and the fuel gauge started going nuts I don't know why and had to drive it home on the same gear. Took it to autozone and came back with the same code for the solenoid plus p0700/p0716/p0717 for the transmission. Now my acadia is just sitting on my driveway no money to fix it and driving my 15 year old truck hoping gmc does something about this nightmare

Filed Feb 27, 2013 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · OH

I was driving to the store when I turned a corner and went to hit the gas to go and I had nothing! My car started rolling backwards down the hill into traffic. I was lucky to not be hit. I slammed on the brakes and threw it into park. I turned my car off and restarted it and tried to move it and I had no drive so I tried to put it in reverse to back it up on the side of the road and nothing I had no drive no reverse nothing!!!!! I had it towed to the shop and I still know nothing on why it happened except they said there is an internal transmission issue. I haven't even owned it a year. I rely on this car to safely get my three kids where they need to be and now I'm terrified to put my children back in this car after reading all the other horror stories about this car. There needs to be a recall!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Feb 14, 2013 · Transmission · 90,177 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc arcadia. The contact stated that while traveling 25 MPH, there was a loud pop noise from under the vehicle. The vehicle then became resistant to acceleration attempts. The check engine light was also illuminated and the vehicle would not move forward or when in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 90,177.

Filed Feb 2, 2013 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · MN

I've had three transmissions in this car with only 114,000 miles. Wave plate, torque converter problems.

Filed Feb 1, 2013 · Transmission · 37,960 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc acadia. The contact stated that he noticed a puddle of liquid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced .the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 37,960.

Filed Jan 22, 2013 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · AZ

On two occasions after putting the vehicle in park, turning off the ignition, removing the key and exiting the vehicle, it rolled back and only stopped when driver jumped back in and applied the brake. This occurred on a flat garage surface (no incline) on both occasions, with different drivers on each occasion. Gmc dealer says they can not replicate the issue and there is nothing to repair. This vehicle is dangerous, as it can roll back unexpectedly, potentially causing serious bodily injury or death, or damage to physical property. Gmc recalled the 2009 acadia for the same issue previously, but maintains there are no issues with my vehicle. I found additional complaints for this issue on the 2008 acadia on the internet as well, so this issue is not unique to me.

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