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GMC · Midsize / large SUV

2021 GMC Acadia

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
77 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA147
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 GMC Acadia is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Acadia FWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 147 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Acadia FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925$2,500
Acadia AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222724$2,600
Acadia FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl212723$2,700
Acadia FWDGasFWD3.6L 6-cyl192722$2,850
Acadia AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl192621$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42914, 42915, 42913, 42973, 42976.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 GMC Acadia is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Back Over Prevention

N222378380
95,231 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.RiskAn inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 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 N222378380.
NHTSA campaign 22V709000reported Sep 22, 2022General Motors, LLC
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

N212335590
572 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.RiskImproperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.FixDealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
NHTSA campaign 21V422000reported Jun 3, 2021General Motors, LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera — Rear-View Camera Failure closed

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-006) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in Model Year (MY) 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The complaints report that the screen for the RVC is black, sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it. To date, ODI has received a total of 18 complaints and several EWR Field Reports with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle is in reverse. The reports have been received over the past 28 months with most occurring with low vehicle mileage.During the investigation, ODI learned incorrect crimping specifications we

Opened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Nov 21, 2022 · action PE22006

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
147complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 2 · 2021: 14 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 25 · 2025: 43 · 2026: 27

Most-cited components

Electrical System37
Engine29
Fuel/Propulsion System23
Unspecified20
Service Brakes18
Power Train17

What owners describe

“My emergency parking brake keeps engaging on its own, as I come to a stop, jeeking me forward. I never even put it in park, but it just engages the parking brake in a forceful manner. At a couple different times, while going at about 40 mph, the car starting shaking terribly, slowing the vehicle. The check engine light…”Jun 14, 2022 · Parking Brake · NHTSA owner report
“While driving through intersection auto braking system activated for no apparent reason . Could have caused a crash due to sudden unexpected braking. No warning lights or alarm noted during or after event. Dealership was unable to find any problems with the automatic braking system.”May 31, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“I got into an accident because my back up crap camera did not warn me that a car had turned behind me. Also when and backing up and a car is coming it doesn’t indicate the car is coming until it’s behind me. I’ve taken it to the dealer and they say there’s nothing wrong with it. Also there is no break when you …”May 9, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Acadia model years

A

2027 GMC Acadia

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 GMC Acadia

1 recalls · 7 complaints

A

2025 GMC Acadia

0 recalls · 63 complaints

A

2024 GMC Acadia

0 recalls · 55 complaints

C

2023 GMC Acadia

4 recalls · 42 complaints

D

2022 GMC Acadia

3 recalls · 48 complaints

F

2020 GMC Acadia

6 recalls · 99 complaints

C

2019 GMC Acadia

2 recalls · 382 complaints

C

2018 GMC Acadia

2 recalls · 392 complaints

D

2017 GMC Acadia

4 recalls · 702 complaints

D

2016 GMC Acadia

4 recalls · 236 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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