Acadia (3rd)
Verdict Check the brakes first on any used example: pedal feel under firm stops and noise on slow ones, since brakes lead the complaints on the sole 2.5L turbo. Confirm the remaining factory warranty transfers with the sale.
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LK0
2.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The 2024-2025 Acadia is the third generation, returning the model to a larger footprint after the 2017-2023 second gen took a step down in size. Only two model years and 98 NHTSA complaints are on record so far, which is a thin sample for a reliability read. Take everything below as provisional.
GMC simplified the powertrain to a single option: the LK0 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder. The same engine sits in the refreshed 2024+ Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. That sole engine has logged all 98 complaints recorded against the Acadia in this generation, with brakes (49 complaints) the dominant category and safety systems (29 complaints) second. No deaths, no fires, no recalls have been filed for this generation as of the latest data pull. The brake complaint volume is high relative to a two-year sample and warrants attention, though the severity ratings on the underlying complaints are all in the cosmetic band, suggesting pedal feel, noise, or premature wear reports rather than failure-to-stop incidents.
The complaint and recall picture for this generation will firm up as the fleet ages. The 2.5L turbo is a known quantity from the Cadillac XT4 and the larger Chevrolet Traverse, so expected failure patterns will show on the higher-volume Traverse sample first.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Acadia, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
The 2024-2025 Acadia is too new for confident year-to-year recommendation. The data so far shows one engine, one transmission, no recalls, and a 98-complaint sample dominated by brake pedal feel and safety system reports rather than failure-mode incidents. An inspection on a used example from this generation should focus on the brake system: confirm pedal feel under firm braking, listen for noise on slow stops, and verify any remaining factory warranty coverage transfers with the sale.
Buyers cross-shopping should look at the 2024+ Chevrolet Traverse, which shares the engine. The Traverse has a larger fleet and will surface failure patterns earlier than the Acadia. Watching the Traverse complaint trend over the next two NHTSA data cycles is the best leading indicator for the Acadia.
What to check on a used 2024-2025 GMC Acadia
On a used 2024-2025 GMC Acadia, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (65), the airbags and driver-assist systems (37) and the engine (16). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia about the brakes.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 37 owner complaints on the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia about the transmission and drivetrain.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2024-2025 GMC Acadia complaints?
Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the safety systems and the engine.
Is the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia have?
NHTSA has 127 owner complaints on file for the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2024-2025 GMC Acadia.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Acadia?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the safety systems and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Acadia?
The 2025 GMC Acadia received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (18.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard & Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 127 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.