On [xxx], I remote-started my 2024 GMC Acadia. With the driver-side door and rear passenger-side door left completely open, I stepped inside the vehicle, placed my foot firmly on the brake pedal, and pressed the engine Push-to-Start button to transition the vehicle from remote-start mode to operational drive mode. Immediately after pressing the button, I took my foot off the brake pedal and exited the vehicle. A second later as I was walking toward the back of my vehicle, without any driver intervention or manual gear selection, the electronic shift-by-wire transmission uncommandedly engaged completely into REVERSE on its own. The vehicle began actively driving backward. Despite the driver-side door being wide open and no driver being present in the seat or belted, and the rear passenger side door open, the vehicle's electronic 'Auto-Park' system and automated emergency braking failsafes completely failed to engage or shift the vehicle back into Park to prevent a rollaway. The uncommanded vehicle movement forced me to chase after the moving vehicle to regain control, posing an imminent and severe risk of property damage, catastrophic bodily injury, or death. The rear open door got stuck on our hose container and fire pit on the side of the house, and ripped the door off the hinges. The vehicle has been towed to Matthews GMC in Vestal, NY for diagnostic evaluation. GM Corporate Case #[XXX] has been opened. I am filing this complaint because an uncommanded transmission engagement combined with a total failure of the vehicle's electronic safety override systems represents a critical, life-threatening manufacturing and software defect that requires immediate investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GMC Acadia rollaway problems
18 of the 5,598 owner complaints about the GMC Acadia describe rolls away in park, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 42,000
By model year
- 20241
- 20231
- 20194
- 20181
- 20177
- 20161
- 20141
- 20112
Often reported together
Won't shift 2Key fob 1Jerking 1Headlights 1Knocking 1Backup camera 1No deployment 1
What owners say
Vehicle Information: 2023 GMC Acadia VIN: [XXX] Description of Safety Defect: While operating the vehicle, a sudden and total loss of propulsion occurred without warning. The transmission completely disengaged from the drive gears while the vehicle was in motion. When depressing the gas pedal, the engine freely revved up to approximately 3,000 RPM, but no power or torque was transferred to the wheels, leaving the vehicle entirely stranded and unable to move. This severe mechanical failure matches the exact symptoms, hazards, and mechanical behavior detailed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V172000 (General Motors Safety Recall N222389310) regarding a dimensionally incorrect transmission sun gear that causes driver-side half-shaft separation. My specific VIN is currently excluded from the active recall population, despite experiencing the identical manufacturing defect and catastrophic loss of motive power. This creates a severe highway safety hazard and a rolling/rollaway risk. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate an expansion of the recall population for the 2023 GMC Acadia to include this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Seeing the intermittent shift to park messages when the vehicle has been shifted into park and the ignition is turned to the off position. Shifter wire harness jumper & transmission controls A malfunctioning shifter raises fears of potential rollaway accidents, even if such cases remain rare. For anyone who has to park on a slope, this fear can cause serious worry. Yes, there is a service bulletin (19-NA-206) No, this is 1 of the only problems I have had with this. The other issues I have had is the clear coating on the rims are peeling
After I put my car in park my daughter and I were still in the vehicle for a few minutes getting our things with the engine still running. I got out to get something from the back seat, my daughter got out the passenger door and made it to the driver side as I was closing the back passenger door. I was about to get back on the car to get the rest of my things and turn the ignition off but before I could my car was rolling backwards out of the driveway into the street. I was able to jump in the vehicle and put my foot on the brake and the put the gear into Park. There’s no way possible I didn’t put it in Park with me getting out already and my daughter couldn’t have accidentally shift the gear because she couldn’t have been able to get out, close the door and make it to the driver side before it started rolling away. Once I got the car stopped, I noticed the driver seat was now all the way to the steering wheel and completely to the floor with the headrest also tilting inwards and now the electrical for the seat will not work. There is a recall for this issue but my vin# is not included. I cannot even drive my car now because the seat is so far up and inclined. what if the seat moves up more while I’m driving and it has me pinned between the steering wheel and the seat. I don’t feel safe driving it, having my daughter as a passenger and it’s really not safe to be on the road. I’m still paying on this car and now i won’t even be able to drive to work. So I’ll probably lose my job. This car has multiple issues and I think is an electrical problem. It’s also a known major defect on this model but still not a recall for my vin #! None of my interior sound works. Speakers, blinkers, alerts, back up camera. The auto start won’t start, I have to press the key fob multiple times to lock and unlock. This car is extremely unsafe to drive and I strongly feel my cars vin# should be listed under the recall. Its going to really affect my daily life and means of income. Lemon!
URGENT SAFETY DEFECT — RECURRING “SHIFT TO PARK” — ROLLAWAY RISK Vehicle: GMC Acadia | ~99,684miles Same defect repaired FREE under GM goodwill in 2021 (shifter replacement, TSB 19-NA-206) after 4 failed attempts. Now FAILED AGAIN in 2025 — vehicle will not shut off, drains battery, risks unintended rollaway. GM dealer refuses repeat coverage despite prior admission of defect. This is a KNOWN DESIGN FLAW — thousands of complaints — NO RECALL. DEMAND IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL — this is a fire/rollaway hazard. Attached: 2019- 2021 repair order ($0), TSB 19-NA-206, prior the federal safety agency complaint, previous TAC CASE: 9-6623251184.
GMC customer care representative & local GMC service department supervisor unable to help. 2017 Acadia Shift to Park message. It’s Difficult to turn the car off. The vehicle refuses to acknowledge the park position. Potential rollaway hazard. You may inspect. Took it to GMC service & confirmed it is a prevalent issue: Transmission control 13534320 = gearshift assembly & Jumper harness 84733196. This problem has been recurring for several years and I have problem solved how to shut the car off. GMC customer care rep said it’s an issue with all 2017 Acadias and tried to help. The system deemed it complicated case & escalated it to a Supervisor. She read a “customer care” script. After talking, she admitted that realistically GMC would not help. Yesterday, she advised me to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. I read that 2 other states Ohio & Tennessee won class action lawsuits because of the hazardous shift to park issue. If GMC issued recalls for 2017 Acadia shift to park then my 2017 GMC Acadia should have been included. I have been waiting for the recall for several years. GMC admits the problem is prevalent in 2017 GMC Acadias. Would you please issue a recall associated with this issue and link it to my VIN. Thank you.
The known ‘Shift to park’ GMC vehicle defect could cause vehicle to rollaway and possibly hit someone.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park with the engine running, the vehicle suddenly rolled away. As a result of the failure, the vehicle crashed into another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle was operating as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
My car would not shift into park. The indicator in the center console would say that it was in park, but when I would shut it car off I would get a warning on the dash that said that I needed to shit to park. I started chocking the tires when I parked out of fear of the car rolling away or run over somebody. My wife would not always chock the tires. I took the car to the dealer today and they confirmed my issue. The dealer replaced a part on the transmission. The dealer has my old part. It cost me over $400.00 to repair. The dealer and manufacturer are aware of similar circumstances with this model. I started having issues two months ago without warning and the problem got steadily got worse. The car has 43300 miles on it. I have owned it since new. It has never been in any accidents.
With the vehicle shifter in park and the dash indicating in is in park I get an error message stating to "Shift into Park." This has happened serval times in the last few weeks intermittently. I am very concerned this will strand my wife and child or lead to the vehicle unintentionally rolling away while unattended. While talking to several technicians at a GM test facility I have been told this was/is a common issue. While searching the federal safety agency complaints multiple multiple complaints for this issue have bee submitted.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
- Risk
- A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222389310.
Recall number 23V172000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles. The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate.
- Risk
- Separation between the half-shaft and transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right-front half-shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 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 N222393410.
Recall number 23V043000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- Risk
- Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Buick Customer service at 1‑866‑608‑8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Recall number 20V668000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- 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
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick owners at 1‑800‑521‑7300, and GMC owners at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Recall number 14V092000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".
- Risk
- The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 and saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V073000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Acadia rollaway
Which GMC Acadia years have rolls away in park problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (7 complaints), 2019 (4 complaints) and 2011 (2 complaints).
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