The Lemon Index2018 GMC Acadia.
The 2018 GMC Acadia is worse than average by owner complaints: 183 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 188, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 20 to 23 mpg combined. The best GMC Acadia year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 396 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every GMC Acadia year. 2018 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 20K to 46K miles on the car (180 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 20K–49K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 21K–42K miles
Recalls 2
- 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.
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 FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Acadia SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The vehicle shows a warning with a bell tone 'shift to park' when the car is already in park. It stops only after wiggling gear shifter numerous times.
2018 GMC Acadia owner · NHTSA complaint 11253803
More owner reports
After putting the vehicle in park, "shift to park" is displayed on the dash. I have to shift the car in and out of park several times to get the vehicle to recognize being in park.
NHTSA complaint 11310596
My 2018 GMC Acadia has warning of shift to park. When it is in park. And will not allow me to turn off the car. I feel this is a major issue. This only happens when it is stationary.
NHTSA complaint 11245940
Quick answers
Is the 2018 GMC Acadia reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 188; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Acadia year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2018 GMC Acadia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (44%), electrical (31%) and stability control (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Acadia have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Acadia get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 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 2018 GMC Acadia problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 46,000 miles. The middle report was at 32,000 miles, from 180 complaints.
Does the 2018 GMC Acadia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 44% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 GMC Acadia cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 GMC Acadia have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Acadia year is better than the 2018?
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