The Lemon Index2008 GMC Acadia.
The 2008 GMC Acadia is worse than average by owner complaints: 106 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 161, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best GMC Acadia year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 854 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Acadia year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 56K to 110K miles on the car (703 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 60K–96K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 65K–122K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 49K–113K miles
Recalls 5
- body structure 2015
The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open.
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash…
- electrical 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALAN…
Show all 5 recalls
- electrical 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON X…
- visibility 2008
GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 1125 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power door locks inoperative or other various electrical issues
- Water dripping/leak from rear dome/reading lamp or [a] pillars (apply sealer/lengthen hose)
- Fluid leak at transfer case weep hole (replace front wheel drive intermediate (inner) shaft seal)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of headlamp illumination2012–2014
- ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 GMC Acadia has several problems with safety recalls and dealership response.
2008 GMC Acadia owner · NHTSA complaint 10255688
More owner reports
Pushed button for rear-hatch to open. Hatch went up and after 1-2 seconds released with all its weight.
NHTSA complaint 10412144
Known issue with this vehicle- was never notified of defect. Significant water leak from somewhere in roof into passenger compartment at a posts and into dash area.
NHTSA complaint 10373398
Quick answers
Is the 2008 GMC Acadia reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 161; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Acadia year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2008 GMC Acadia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (18%), body structure (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Acadia have?
5 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 GMC Acadia get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Acadia problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 56,600 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 703 complaints.
Does the 2008 GMC Acadia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 GMC Acadia cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 GMC Acadia have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Acadia year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works