The Lemon Index2017 GMC Acadia.
The 2017 GMC Acadia is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 348 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 296, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 to 23 mpg combined. The best GMC Acadia year is 2013.
Lemon alert. 3× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2013
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 705 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every GMC Acadia year. 2017 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 15K to 48K miles on the car (381 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 22K–53K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 15K–45K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 30K–52K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2023
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Show all 4 recalls
- brakes 2016
The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Acadia SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia Denali SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia Denali SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
It is very difficult to sound the horn. It takes multiple presses and often won't sound without use of both hands. This is a safety hazard. It is an ongoing hazard.
2017 GMC Acadia owner · NHTSA complaint 11022975
More owner reports
Vehicle warning light says "shift to park" when car is stopped and shifter is put into park. Vehicle will not shut down properly.
NHTSA complaint 11267574
Dash displays that the transmission is not in park when it is for sure.
NHTSA complaint 11216935
Quick answers
Is the 2017 GMC Acadia reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 296; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Acadia year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2017 GMC Acadia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (37%), electrical (31%) and brakes (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 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 2017 GMC Acadia get?
17 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 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 2017 GMC Acadia problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 48,000 miles. The middle report was at 33,000 miles, from 381 complaints.
Does the 2017 GMC Acadia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 37% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2017 GMC Acadia cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 GMC Acadia have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Acadia year is better than the 2017?
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