Transmission torque converter required replacement
The worst 2016 GMC Acadia problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags130
- Steering26
- Electrical25
- Transmission21
- Driver assistance15
- Engine13
- Seat belts5
- Brakes4
- Visibility4
- Lights3
- Seats3
- Acceleration2
- Body2
- Tires2
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 GMC Acadia
Power steering loss 7Check engine light 5Jerking 5Won't start 5
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Recall number 23V334000 · Recall details
Air bags: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- 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
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 21V246000 · Recall details
Seats
- What is wrong
- 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
- If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 15V833000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- 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
- A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 15V609000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Acadia 1,177
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size...
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
2016 GMC Acadia fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
What 2016 GMC Acadia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Technician told me the engine "grenaded itself". "Cylinder #4 melted into the side walls of the cylinder wall caused by air to fuel mix ratio controlled by the ECU failure to mix appropriately." My family and I were traveling for Easter and were stranded on the side of the highway. I had a private repair shop (Greenville Auto Clinic LLC) confirm as well as the local dealership Greenville Chevy. The vehicle required an engine replacement. I did contact GMC's Zone Manager out of Atlanta, GA for assistance, he reduced the bill from over $10,000 down to $6098. There was no error messaging, only an engine that would not respond to the accelerator pedal. The engine would try to accelerate, but struggled to the point it would die when I applied too much pressure on the gas pedal.
The cable that attaches the front driver seatbelt to the base of the seat (left side), suddenly broke when simply buckling the belt.
Transmission began hesitating around 1800rpm with only 92,000 miles showing on the odometer. It feels like a flutter as the transmission shifts into the next gear. I have heard the 2016 year group has had transmission problems. Believe a recall is justified.
Without warning transmission overheated, blew out fluid and caught the front end of the vehicle on fire
The torque converter has been going since before I bought this vehicle. When the RPMs are between one and two, the entire vehicle starts shaking and there is no acceleration. This is a huge safety concern, especially with traffic.
Hello. I got a recall and fixed in July 2021 for Blind Spot Sensors/Modules on my 2016 GMC Acadia SLT. Now 3.5 years later Im having the same issue with these sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car, they get water damage, corrosion, and then fail. A very poor design. And seems like the recall didn't fixed the issue either. This must to be a common issue for this car, lots of complaints online even after the recall. And the car dealership wont cover it because it was already fixed at that time and my warranty on my car expired not to long ago. They said it would be about $2000 to fix. I feel like this prematurely failed and it was recalled once for the same issue but now failed again is crazy after 3.5 years. This shouldn't be a on going thing especially after a recall. I shouldn't have to pay for this outta my own pocket for a flawed design and would like my repairs for this to be covered again. Please help. Attached is a invoice from July of 2021 recall that was repaired. I only got a verbal estimate from the dealership (text messages) which I do have. saying that it would be a $2000 fix this time. I didn't go through with it because I feel like it should be covered. Attached pictures of sensor/module in rear bumper that is corroded. Lights on both side mirrors will come on and stay on. Won't shut off. Messages on dash saying "Service Side Dectection System". Blind zone setting won't shut off.
Safety recall that has not been addressed by the dealership in over 4 months
The shift to park. It does not want to stay in park. I feel that if it does not stay in park, the vehicle could roll forward or backwards. Yes, it was looked at by an independent service center, and they thought it was on a recall. This is a 2016 GMC Arcadia and the 2017 model and newer have this problem and were on recall. No one else has looked at it. I do not drive the vehicle that often, so it does not have many miles on it. I took it out a few weeks ago and I noticed it.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 GMC Acadia on February 28, 2026. After purchasing the vehicle, the contact obtained a Carfax report and discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was purchased at an auction. The dealer agreed to refund a portion of the cost of the vehicle. The contact attempted several times to contact the dealer afterwards but was unsuccessful. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 92,400, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 192,000.
Compare the 2016 GMC Acadia
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Other model years
20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2016 GMC Acadia
Is the 2016 GMC Acadia reliable?
Owners have filed 236 complaints about the 2016 GMC Acadia, fewer than a typical Acadia model year.
What is the 2016 GMC Acadia year score?
The 2016 GMC Acadia scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Acadia: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Acadia?
Airbags, with 130 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles. Next is steering (26).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Acadia have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, seats and visibility.
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Acadia get?
Official estimates for the 2016 GMC Acadia range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.
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