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2018 GMC Acadia: jerking or lurching

6 of the 399 complaints about the 2018 GMC Acadia describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 69 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 126,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and made an abnormal sound, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there was black and white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission, cooling system, and fuel system failures. The dealer also determined that the engine was leaking oil. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle required several repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Transmission · IL

While I was driving the vehicle started jerking and not changing gears. Several times it almost caused an accident with me and my son in the car. I turned the car on/off and restarted it at the red light, the exact same thing happens. Lucky a GMC dealer ship was near by. I was able to get there still jerking and not changing gears. No warning signs appear during this whole time. No prior issues with the transmission. Once I made it to the dealship then engine like came on. Really now! The dealer checked vehicle and stated the transmission is gone out. I was flabbergasted, almost $10,000 had to be replaced.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Transmission · MN

Vehicle shudders and jerks while accelerating. This caused a scary incident while driving on ice.

Filed Jul 3, 2024 · Transmission · NE

The transmission was failing to shift and jerking me forward in the vehicle. The check engine light came on. I was on the highway going at high speeds. Also, my vehicles Internet connection dropped. I pulled off the highway and turned off my vehicle. While starting my vehicle again and attempting to go into reverse, it would not reverse and it would not drive forward . It would just rev the RPMs. My vehicle has been sitting at the dealer for two weeks. They have not looked at it yet. The police were not called as there was not an accident, thankfully. The warning light came on as the vehicle was failing.

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · 32,500 miles · SC

When pushing vehicle ignition button "start/stop" to turn vehicle "off" it will turn the engine off but keep the vehicle still "on" using the battery. If I open the door and shut it, the horn honks to alert that the vehicle is still "on" and not completely stopped. The only way to get the ignition button to acknowledge the vehicle is off is by jerking the gear shift until the green light goes to "off". It does not do it every time I turn the vehicle off, but it does it about every other time. I will take it to the dealership very soon for them to look at this also.

Filed May 24, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 19,000 miles · OK

1* purchased march 2018 (acadia denali) since august 2018 in motion when I accelerate it sounds like a loud lawnmower & crackling sound in rear muffler area. Took it chevy place in glenpool, ok. They couldn't find anything. 2* on 2 occassions, in motion, the car accelerated with a loud noise & as if it were getting power & not moving then jerks & speeds up about 15mph faster & I couldn't stop it. I kept slamming on my breaks, but the break would only go in so far. I was frightened with my 2 young boys in car screaming. It's like riding a horse & it takes off & you can't control it. 3* on about 8 or 9 occassions stationary I get out of my car & it makes a really loud annoying sound like a machine/robot powering down. My kids always say, it's going to blow up 4* the most annoying, for past month...stationary, every single day & time I turn my ignition off. It has loud beeping sound & check rear seat flashing on screen then shift into park flashes. This occurs every single time I turn my car off. Sometimes I have to just let it go on all day because I can't get it stop. I turn car on & off shift back & forth & it still will not go off. Sometimes it does after long periods of time. I don't have time to struggle with getting a car into park every single time I turn my ignition off. I have to beat it forward hard with my hand to the point my wrist is bruised. Now I have to use my foot to kick gear shifter into park. I'm afraid t's going to roll out & or down and hit something, someone or even one of my children. Which would not be good. I've seen several of same complaints. This really needs to be investigated & recalled asap. My elderly mother had to call my brother to another part of town to beat the gear shift into park. This car was brand new & I shouldn't have any of the above mentioned issues. It's frustrating thinking gmc was top of the line & it's not.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported August 22, 2017 · 2,905 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Risk
If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.

Recall number 17V516000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2018 GMC Acadia jerking

Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2018 GMC Acadia?

6 of 399 owner complaints about the 2018 GMC Acadia (2%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2008.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 GMC Acadia?

There is 1 recall and 69 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 GMC Acadia

Battery drain 14Won't shift 12Check engine light 11Loss of power 7Transmission failure 6

All model years of the GMC Acadia

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