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2009 GMC Acadia engine problems

75 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
75
of this car's complaints
23%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

GMC Acadia engine problems in other years

20072010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 GMC Acadia engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 36Loss of power 21Engine failure 12Stalling 12Misfire 8Won't start 6Overheating 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2009 GMC Acadia owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Engine · MN

There was a recall for gmc premature timing chain engine recall. This recall was complete in 2011 but it did not fix the problem. The timing chain keeps breaking off the cam shaft sensor and needs to be replaced.

Filed Feb 24, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

The stabilizer/traction control keeps going off and it will stay off.i can turn,hit a bump or start it up and the traction control/stabilizer system is off.i almost had a accident on the freeway in the rain because it turned off out of nowhere and I almost lost control. Also I was going down the road and all of a sudden my vehicle died and I had little control over vehicle. Once it came to stop it would not start again and when attempting it sounded like something was stuck in my fan or something because of the way it rattled and sounded and was rough sounding. Vehicle was inoperable and had to be towed. Upon investigating it was the timing chain kit that had failed suddenly for no apparent reason. Vehicle was well maintained and kept accordance with running policies and practices required and suggested by manufacturer. Still the failing caused engine damage that is well in to the several thousands of dollars and engine must be replaced due to this issue failing and I have noticed several thousand people having this same very issue and rendering them a foot and vehicle less due to the high cost of fixing without any warning or engine light or code suggesting of the timing chain kit failing or about to fail before stranding a person wherever and whenever unexpectedly and suddenly without any warning or check engine light at all. No OEM code to validate the issue either. Manufacturer should be held liable for the exact same issue occuring in so many of the multitude of people experiencing the same exact issue causing financial turmoil and risk of disaster or collision and harm when the timing chain kit fails suddenly. This is a huge and vast problem I have found with multitude of Acadia owners and should be addressed because to not honor a issue of so many experiencing the same issue occuring should be reconciled and corrected at the manufacturer cost due to it being their liability in making the faulty part of device to begin with causing vast financial hardships.

Filed Apr 26, 2023 · Engine · FL

Got code po0008 crank sensor/cam did resurch said timming chain replaced complete chain still noisey changed cam phasers and sensors still making noise it is so frustrating bee going on 3 weeks I'm disabled not easy to work on myself being I'm a master technician and this has really been mind boggling

Filed Oct 18, 2022 · Engine · 194,726 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while driving at 45 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast the vehicle to a stop as the vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts. The contact's husband inspected the engine and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact's husband replaced the crank shaft position sensor, purge valve, high pressure tank, fuel pump, and battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact then towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it diagnosed with engine failure due to the timing chain, and a cylinder #1 and #5 defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle related to the engine. The vehicle remained in possession of the mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was 194,726.

Filed Oct 10, 2021 · Engine · NC

Engine jumped out of time driving down the road

Filed Aug 3, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · IL

1.)What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A.) To start with i went in to the dealership for a timing chain recall they said the work was performed. This was never done all they did was replace ECU from an older car so that the code would not come back (REPLACED WITH A 2002 ECU) to get rid of the timing chain recall code. this code never existed in 2002..Complete negligence these SUV could hurt or kill someone B.)Huge Electrical issue suv stops on its own while driving. Sometimes does not start at all. can not pass emission for the life of it .. new codes all the time i have replaced just about Every sensor and switch there is.. . this is a money pit and death trap.. C.) The Investigation the federal safety agency should have included the Lambda Frame it's the same design flaw they're trying to fix one problem with an old problem. The ones on these have this fixed tie rods, lateral arms and upper control arms the bushings will wear out eventually and repeat the bouncing up and down rocking back and forth rear end barely staying on the ground it's a very dangerous ride and you see these vehicles on the expressway on a daily basis you look at them for what you know now I get really nervous seeing these vehicles. Arcadia rollovers Call it what you will it's the same problem the needs a total redesign it's defective anyway you look at it. Just looking to how many Roll over there are with this body frame and suspension it's got its own self-contained pit maneuver. I believe GM is aware of these issues that's why they're giving everybody a hard time to fix it they run and say something else. Looks like we're getting back to too big to fail. D.) What makes this vehicle even more unsafe and very dangerous is the fact that the reluctor wheel can slip. This will sundown false DTC codes thinking that problems exist other places spending lots of money an unnecessary work when along GM knew about this problem once again.

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 112,000 miles · OH

I go through headlights every 6 months this last time, my driver side headlight got replaced and two days later it went out and the glass was shattered. I went and got new bulb and it did not work, after inspecting the the wiring we noticed it was burnt up and need replaced, gmc said it's on us. We have spoke with gmc about our engine burning oil which they are well aware of and the dealership tried to help but gmc refused to do anything my car send a signal telling me to turn off the car or starts miss firing every which way and gives codes saying I need new coils which is not the case. The air bag light goes off saying that there is someone in the passenger seat because the calibration get off, it took mcdaniel's to figure it out the other dealership blamed it on electronics. The windshield wiper fluid no longer comes out properly and needs something replaced so that it will go up on the windshield.

Filed Sep 26, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 56,000 miles · VA

Transmission engine seat belts headlights not even a month into purchasing the vehicle it stopped as I was driving on a highway.

Filed Feb 20, 2020 · Engine · 134,000 miles · MO

Check engine light came on and engine lost power during rush hour coming home. Lost at least 50% power, very little acceleration and quite the challenge to merge over 4 lanes to get to the sholder of the highway. Code was checked and code was for timing. Mechanic pulled timing chain cover and found that it was stretched. He told me the 3.6 engine was well known for this. Two freaking months after we paid it off. Will not purchase another acadia and will stay away from encave and traverse as well as they have same engine in many. Very discouraged they would knowingly allow this issue to go on without being addressed.

Filed Feb 1, 2020 · Engine · 115,508 miles · MI

I had to, replace the transmission.. Driving on city street car would not accelerate although RPM needle showed motor revving now waiting on stability control module thats on back order

Questions about the 2009 GMC Acadia engine

Does the 2009 GMC Acadia have engine problems?

Owners have filed 75 complaints about the engine of the 2009 GMC Acadia, 23% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2009 GMC Acadia engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2009 GMC Acadia engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2009 GMC Acadia problems

Steering 112Transmission 72Electrical 47Lights 38Body 25Airbags 15Driver assistance 15Fuel system 15Acceleration 11Seat belts 10Suspension 8Seats 6Visibility 5Brakes 3Tires 3Locks 2Wheels 1

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