NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator may explode when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
This page covers 6 recalls, 231 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 GMC Acadia.
17–18 mpg combined
13.1–13.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2013 to 2016 GMC Acadia received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing for US-market vehicles. The Acadia earned 5 stars in frontal crash, side crash, and side pole tests. It received 4 stars in rollover testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a major redesign occurs, so this rating covers the entire 2013 to 2016 range.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Airbag-related complaints dominate what owners report for the 2016 GMC Acadia, accounting for the large majority of the complaint volume. Most of these describe the airbag warning light illuminating and staying on, often tied to the passenger seat occupant sensor failing to correctly detect a seated adult, which owners say causes the front passenger airbag to show as disabled. Steering complaints form the second notable cluster, with owners describing a loss of power assist, stiffness, or unexpected heaviness that comes on without warning. A smaller group of powertrain complaints centers on transmission behavior, including shuddering or hesitation at low RPM and a "shift to park" message that appears even after the driver believes the vehicle is already in park, with some owners noting the shifter doesn't consistently hold the park position.
231
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 GMC Acadia has 6 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can explode during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and posing a risk of serious injury or death.
A second airbag concern involves the side curtain airbags, which may not be properly anchored to the vehicle structure. In a crash, an unsecured curtain airbag can fail to deploy correctly or shift out of position, leaving occupants on the side of impact without intended protection. On the structural side, the third-row left lower seat frame may have welds placed in the wrong locations, meaning the seat could shift or collapse in a crash rather than holding its occupant in place.
The wiper motor is another area to be aware of: the motor can overheat during normal use, which may cause the motor cover to melt, smoke, or catch fire, raising the risk of a crash or vehicle fire. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, and it was filed more than once, so owners who had earlier wiper motor work done should confirm whether their vehicle is still affected.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator may explode when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached due to weld nut issues, which could prevent them from deploying correctly in a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side curtain air bag weld nuts and realign or replace them as needed at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The third row left lower seat frame may have welds in incorrect locations, potentially affecting seat structural integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the third row left seat frame and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The third row left seat's lower frame may have welds in wrong locations, which could cause the seat to not function properly during a crash and increase injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the lower seat frame and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front windshield wiper motor may overheat during use, causing its cover to melt, smoke, or catch fire.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the front windshield wiper motor cover assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor can overheat during use due to a manufacturing defect in the motor cover assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
