2012 GMC Acadia: sudden loss of power

10 of the 296 complaints about the 2012 GMC Acadia describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 10
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 95,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 248 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2025
1
2024
3
2023
2
2021
2
2020
4
2019
1
2018
7
2017
7
2016
2
2015
7
2014
24
2013
10
2012
10
2011
17
2010
23
2009
21
2008
44
2007
19

What owners say

Filed May 31, 2025 · Electrical · FL

Vehicle producing code P2138 then goes into limp mode stating to service stability, traction control off and engine reduced power. Replaced Throttle Body and Acceleration Pedal Position Sensor and error was still present.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

I was driving 40 mph, when warnings appeared on my dash. "Service Stabalizor control", "Traction control turned off", "power is reduced", and the check engine light came on. I lost power as if engine quit, no acceration, but then came back intermittent. If I had been on a highway going 65 mph, in heavy traffic, there may have been an accident. Power steering remained on. I took to an auto service business, and they were unable to find the problem. Code indicated a fuel pressure problem.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · GA

Driving at 55mph, suddenly the Traction Control blinks on & off, the vehicle starts skipping. Next, Service Stabilitrack System appears and I almost come to a complete stop, Engine Running at Reduced Power appears. I barely made it to the side of the road, traffic was heavy at the time. This is apparently a common issue with other Owners and could be a number of different sensors, parts malfunctioning.

Filed Oct 28, 2020 · Steering · 100,750 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc acadia. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle loss power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering failed to operate intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering pump and steering gear valve housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to nielsen chevrolet (1 us-46, dover, nj 07801) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was informed that there was a fee for the diagnostic testing and repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,750.*dt

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MI

Driving down the road made my vehicle made a weird noise and lost all power. Took it to a dealership they said it was the timing chain. I spent 10k on a newer vehicle and this happens. Dealership it gonna be anywhere from $5,500-7,000 to fix it. I cam't afford to fix that. How is gm still making this motor with a timing chain issue and how is this year not on recall for this the years before were on recall for it. My vehicle justs sits on trailer. Jas been there for 2 monthes. Nothing like payin on a dead horse

Filed May 17, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Car make some vibration and loss power at between 2000 and 2700 RPM, when I make some aceletion on low RPM, and make some noise when transmition need change gear, up o down, on low RPM, dealer in first time, say the problem was a throttle body, and I fixed, but a problem keep going, went I returner to dealer shop, now they say it's a tramition problem.

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Fuel system · 95,000 miles · TX

2012 acadia needed a replacement of the number 2 fuel injector in 2015, number 4 in 2016, and at the end of 2017 required all 6 replaced, plus the fuel pump. All 3 times these issued occurred while I was driving on the freeway when the vehicle warnings of service stabilitrak, service traction control, and reduced engine power started going off. The car then began to smoke heavily from the exhaust pipe and it was required to limp off the freeway, praying that I wouldn't be hit as I went from 75 to 40 in seconds.

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Fuel system · 86,000 miles · TX

Truck has a horrible fuel system. Driving down the highway and lost power in vehicle. Less than 90k miles. 2 bad fuel injectors already, a fuel pump replacement, not to mention other mechanical issues.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 71,986 miles · KY

Intermittent loss of power steering. Especially at low speeds. Gmc knows this is a problem. Extended warranty on 2008 - 2011's but, of course, not for 2012's ("let's see how many people complain before we fix the issue."). Forced to replace power steering pump, rack and alignment.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Fuel system · 16,000 miles · OH

Beginning about 4 months after I bought the vehicle, the fuel gauge began to malfunction. The gauge fluctuates from half full to empty. Many times the gauge shows 1/4 to empty but the tank is empty. I have run out of gas numerous times (at least 10 times) over the last 2 years because the gauge shows I have gas and the tank is empty. Took it to the dealer on numerous occasions and the dealer said they checked it but found no problem. This is a dangerous situation when traveling on the freeway at high speed and I lose all power steering and brakes. I now have to fill up the tank when the gauge reads half empty to avoid running out of gas. The gauge is completely unreliable.