The Lemon Index2016 GMC Acadia.
The 2016 GMC Acadia is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 41 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 45, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best GMC Acadia year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 236 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every GMC Acadia year. 2016 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 33K to 67K miles on the car (63 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 39K–59K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2023
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- airbags 2021
The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
- seats 2015
The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Show all 4 recalls
- visibility 2015
Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
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 1177 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Acadia SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia Denali SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia Denali SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Power steering pump failure of front seal resulting in random failure of power steering at low speed, parking and turns at intersections etc leading to near collisions. No warning prior to failures. 58,000 miles
2016 GMC Acadia owner · NHTSA complaint 11289214
More owner reports
While driving down the road, we went to make a turn. The steering wheel would would not turn. We actually had to cross into oncoming traffic up on a sidewalk. Since then it has continued to work and then suddenly stop working.
NHTSA complaint 11229649
Side detection modules failed, don't work and notify of blind spots
NHTSA complaint 11256289
Quick answers
Is the 2016 GMC Acadia reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 45; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Acadia year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2016 GMC Acadia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (24%), electrical (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Acadia have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Acadia get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 GMC Acadia safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Acadia problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 33,000 and 67,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 63 complaints.
Does the 2016 GMC Acadia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 GMC Acadia cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 GMC Acadia have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Acadia year is better than the 2016?
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