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2021 GMC Acadia problems

The most common problem on the 2021 GMC Acadia is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Acadia model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
85/100
Owner complaints
156
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
8472 warranty
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
21-25mpg

The worst 2021 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 GMC Acadia

Fuel pump 24Check engine light 23Stalling 15Backup camera 9Grinding brakes 5Won't start 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2021 GMC Acadia mention

P023F 3

Recalls 2

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported September 22, 2022 · 95,231 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Risk
An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.

Recall number 22V709000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported June 3, 2021 · 572 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Risk
Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.

Recall number 21V422000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia

Defect investigations

Rear-View Camera FailureOpened July 22, 2022, closed November 21, 2022

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-006) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in Model Year (MY) 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The complaints report that the screen for the RVC is black, sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it. To date, ODI has received a total of 18 complaints and several EWR Field Reports with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle is in reverse. The reports have been received over the past 28 months with most occurring with low vehicle mileage.During the investigation, ODI learned incorrect crimping specifications were utilized in the production of the coaxial cable connector. Improper crimping leads to loss of connection between the RVC and dashboard screen that results in failure of the RVC image to display. Failure or malfunction of the RVC image to display results in reduced visibility of the area behind the vehicle. This limited view may lead to an increased risk of incidents resulting in injury and/or property damage while the vehicle is in reverse.The improperly crimped connectors were only present on subject vehicles equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature (UV2). Vehicles not equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature were not affected by this failure. On September 28, 2022, General Motors (GM) filed a defect information report (the federal safety agency number 22V‑709) recalling certain MY2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature (UV2). GM will replace the coaxial cables with properly crimped connectors.In view of the recall action being taken by GM, ODI is closing this preliminary evaluation. the federal safety agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at The ODI identification numbers for the complaints cited above can be found below: 11343838, 11390254, 11406709, 11415261, 11415501, 11425365, 11429267, 11431846, 11446363, 11463278, 11463901, 11471702, 11475437, 11476809, 11477176, 11481806, 11484360, and 11484360.

PE22006

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 GMC Acadia 847

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 847 bulletins for the 2021 GMC Acadia

2021 GMC Acadia fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD222925
2.0L 4‑cylAWD222724
2.5L 4‑cylFWD212723
3.6L 6‑cylFWD192722
3.6L 6‑cylAWD192621

What 2021 GMC Acadia owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Electrical · VT

Vehicle stalled several times. Check engine light and many code came up. Crack sensors replaced. Veh still stalls. Dealer and independent dealer believes it might be cpu. All wires from cpu checked with no issue found. When veh stalls if you manipulate the wire veh will start and run with demished power and demished steering control. Rpm go to off mode. Has happened on highway and side road. Very scary with 3 kids in car on highway.... not able to resolve issue. Veh has a little less then 60k

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Engine, Steering · OH

Car was running great and mins later I get an error stating steering assist is reduced -Drive with care. Vehicles temperature gauge is stuck at cold and fans turn on after turning off the vehicle. I had the vehicle serviced at Dave White on Alexis Rd in Sylvania almost exactly a year ago for the same reason. Was told by the service manager the issue was a computer update and not the thermostat and proceeded to charge for the "update" no issues with vehicle until now.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 64,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, traffic stopped abruptly, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate while the Forward Collision Avoidance warning feature activated with a red warning light on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to steer off the road to avoid a collision; however, the vehicle crashed into the vehicle ahead, resulting in a three-vehicle collision. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Another driver involved claimed unknown injuries, and the contact sustained whiplash but did not seek medical attention. Police were called, but a police report was not filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · IL

The magnetic chest clip does NOT latch. It can easily be pulled apart by hand. It compromises my child’s safety tremendously by allowing the harness straps to slip off of her shoulders in event of a crash leading to a projected infant. Upon doing further research and posting in my moms group on facebook i’ve found countless reports dating back to 2023 where this magnetic chest clip is a terrible design and idea. Many consumers reported to the manufacturer and received multiple replacements and regretted buying the $360+ car seat. It needs recalled and removed IMMEDIATELY before they have an ejected child lawsuit or many.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Fuel system · OH

exhaust flex pipe is cracked. Causes fumes of gas to be released through the crack. inspected by GMC Repair shop Vibrating noise started, then a few days later the smell of gas, and now yes the Engine light is on. This has been on going for about 3 weeks.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Steering · FL

My 2021 GMC Acadia steering wheel dangerously stiffened while I was turning off the road into a busy shopping parking lot making it difficult to continue my turn. Having to put on my brakes sharply as to not collide with the out going traffic. There was no warning prior to the incident and had to make a quick safety judgement call and hoped the steering wheel would turn. Only after does the warning come on saying there is an issue with the steering assist and to drive carefully! The following morning I took it to Eagle Buick/GMC. There the tech experienced the same. I was told the parts for the repair would take around a week with an estimated cost of $1604.25. I had to carefully drive back with traffic and unable to continue my days work. As I look up this issue I am finding other GMC vehicles with the same dangerous issues that should not wait until it causes an accident, injury or even death. Please make this an important priority as the occurrence has no warning and after it gives only a drive carefully?

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Fuel system · VA

My 2021 GMC Acadia that has 63,768 miles on it was idling Wednesday 9/30 when it died and would not start back we had to have it towed to a shop to get it checked out and it was throwing the P023F code for the fuel pump control module that has a recall bulletin for the same thing make model problem and under their 80,000 miles but recall not on my vin number and GM is refusing to pay for it. It's going to cost me 937.27 to get it fixed.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

While driving home from work the car displayed a "No Fuel" warning, despite having a full tank of gas. Within seconds of the display showing the car stalled out and stopped right in the middle of the road. It would not go into neutral and I had to be towed from the middle of the road to a mechanic close by. Upon reading forums online it looks like this is a known and common issue affecting the fuel pump sensor and system in these models. There are no open recalls but being this is known and happens so often I am shocked GMC has not taken ownership to recall and correct this issue. If I had not been on a slower road I could have gotten into an accident and, as I said, the car would not go in neutral so I couldn't even safely get off the road.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Airbags · OH · crash

On 9/08/2026 I was driving and almost got a wreck but I was able to get out and was going less the 25 and lost control of the vehicle and barely hit the curb and the two air bags went off and I was sent to the hospital

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Brakes · TX

While driving the brake vacuum pump exploded leading to catastrophic brake failure. My husband was driving and was able to stand on the brakes to get the car to stop, but had i been driving, I am not strong enough to have stopped the car. I have 3 children with my youngest being 1. If this had happened with me and my kids, we could have had a major wreck and/or DIED! GM is aware of the brake vacuum pump issues but does not have a recall on the part. The braske assist light did not come on the dash until brakes were lost.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 GMC Acadia before you buy

Compare the 2021 GMC Acadia

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Other model years

20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2021 GMC Acadia

Is the 2021 GMC Acadia reliable?

Owners have filed 156 complaints about the 2021 GMC Acadia, fewer than a typical Acadia model year.

What is the 2021 GMC Acadia year score?

The 2021 GMC Acadia scores 85 out of 100 (good). 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 2021 GMC Acadia?

Electrical system, with 40 complaints. Next is engine (32).

How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Acadia have?

2 recalls, covering back over prevention and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the GMC Acadia have the most electrical problems?

The GMC Acadia model years with the most electrical complaints are 2017 (193 complaints), 2008 (153 complaints) and 2018 (110 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 GMC Acadia get?

Official estimates for the 2021 GMC Acadia range from 21 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22 city and 29 highway.

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