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Total NHTSA Complaints
98
Owner filings recorded
#1 Reported Problem
Electrical System
27 reports (27.6%)
Crash Incident Reports
4
Filings citing a crash
Fire & Injury Reports
1
0 fire • 1 injury filings
Defect Investigation Analysis

Executive Problem Findings

AutoUtility currently tracks 98 official NHTSA owner defect complaints for the 2020 GMC Acadia. Electrical System issues are the most frequently reported category, appearing in 27 complaints (27.6% of submitted records). Among these NHTSA complaint records, 4 filings cite a crash, 1 reports one or more injuries.

Methodology Notice: Consumer complaints are unverified voluntary submissions to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Filings are not normalized for sales volume or vehicle mileage and do not constitute an audited component failure rate.
Incident & Severity Profile
  • • Total Owner Reports: 98 complaints submitted under federal penalty.
  • • Primary Subsystem: Electrical System accounts for 27.6% of submissions (27 reports).
  • • Secondary Systems: Engine & Cooling (24), Powertrain & Transmission (21).
  • • Crash Incidents: 4 filings cite an impact or collision.
  • • Thermal Incidents: 0 filings cite smoke or fire.
  • • Reported Casualties: 1 injury filings • 0 fatality filings.
Category Distribution

Reported Defect Categories for 2020 GMC Acadia

Factual proportion of owner complaints categorized by automotive subsystem in NHTSA records

Electrical System
27
27.6%
Engine & Cooling
24
24.5%
Powertrain & Transmission
21
21.4%
Steering System
18
18.4%
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
16
16.3%
#1 27.6% SHARE

Electrical System

27 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 1 Crash
#2 24.5% SHARE

Engine & Cooling

24 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

✓ 0 Incidents
#3 21.4% SHARE

Powertrain & Transmission

21 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

✓ 0 Incidents
⚠️ 1 Associated Recall Campaign
#4 18.4% SHARE

Steering System

18 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

✓ 0 Incidents
Deterministic Text Analysis

Recurring Symptoms Identified in Owner Reports

Specific mechanical, electrical, and driver-assist defect symptoms identified via deterministic narrative analysis

Powertrain & Transmission 5.1%

Loss of Motive Power While Driving

5 complaint narratives describe this symptom.

NHTSA Narrative Match
Federal Oversight

Official NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

Formal engineering analyses and preliminary evaluations opened by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

ODI Action #PE22006 CLOSED Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
Opened: 2022-07-22 • Closed: 2022-11-21
Subject / Subsystem
Rear-View Camera Failure
Affected Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Recall Linkage
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 were utilized in the production of the coaxial cable connector. Improper crimping leads to loss of connection between the RVC and dashboard screen that results in failure of the RVC image to display. Failure or malfunction of the RVC image to display results in reduced visibility of the area behind the vehicle. This limited view may lead to an increased risk of incidents resulting in injury and/or property damage while the vehicle is in reverse.The improperly crimped connectors were only present on subject vehicles equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature (UV2). Vehicles not equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature were not affected by this failure. On September 28, 2022, General Motors (GM) filed a defect information report (NHTSA number 22V-709) recalling certain MY2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional RVC surround vision feature (UV2). GM will replace the coaxial cables with properly crimped connectors.In view of the recall action being taken by GM, ODI is closing this preliminary evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov. The ODI identification numbers for the complaints cited above can be found below: 11343838, 11390254, 11406709, 11415261, 11415501, 11425365, 11429267, 11431846, 11446363, 11463278, 11463901, 11471702, 11475437, 11476809, 11477176, 11481806, 11484360, and 11484360.
Consumer Filings

Recent NHTSA Owner Reports for 2020 GMC Acadia

Representative defect filings submitted by owners to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Steering System ODI #11758890
Filed: 08/23/2026
Defect Report

"Received a power steering reduced notice when starting the car, noticed shortly after driving the temperature gauge had not moved from its resting position. A few trips later it still had not moved and the check engine light came on. Mechanic looked at it said it may be a sensor quoted $1k to fix...."

Steering System ODI #11749841
Filed: 07/12/2026
Defect Report

"[Symptom & Safety Hazard] While driving my 2020 GMC Acadia 3.6L V6, the Driver Information Center displayed the warning: "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive With Care" (SARDWC). Steering effort increased abruptly, the engine temperature gauge dropped to cold/zero, and the HVAC system lost..."

Steering System ODI #11748973
Filed: 07/08/2026
Defect Report

""Steering Assist Is Reduced – Drive With Care" warning appeared while the vehicle is in motion. This may require increased steering effort and could affect a driver's ability to respond to changing traffic conditions. Any steering-related warning that appears unexpectedly while driving deserves..."

Steering System ODI #11748881
Filed: 07/07/2026
Defect Report

"Steering assist reduced is the warning. The AC will no longer work and the fan runs constantly. From what I’ve read, it is a popular problem for Acadia owners and the thermostat and sensor has to be replaced. We have not been able to replace ours yet because of the cost."

Powertrain & Transmission ODI #11746751
Filed: 06/26/2026
Defect Report

"I believe my car should be included in this recall. I've had the dealer check and they say it's nothing wrong with my car. 2020 GMC Acadia Fuel Pump Recall GMC has announced that 2781 vehicles have been affected by a Fuel Pump recall. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave,..."

Multi-Year Trend

Complaint History for GMC Acadia

Reported defect complaint volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Complaints Crash Reports Safety Recalls Detailed Report
2015 GMC Acadia 261 6 4 View 2015 Problems →
2016 GMC Acadia 234 8 4 View 2016 Problems →
2017 GMC Acadia 702 10 4 View 2017 Problems →
2018 GMC Acadia 390 8 2 View 2018 Problems →
2019 GMC Acadia 381 5 2 View 2019 Problems →
2020 GMC Acadia Current Page 98 4 6 Current
2021 GMC Acadia 146 6 2 View 2021 Problems →
2022 GMC Acadia 48 3 3 View 2022 Problems →
2023 GMC Acadia 41 3 4 View 2023 Problems →
2024 GMC Acadia 55 0 0 View 2024 Problems →
2025 GMC Acadia 62 1 0 View 2025 Problems →
2026 GMC Acadia 0 0 1 View 2026 Problems →
Exhaustive System Audit

Detailed NHTSA Component Breakdown for 2020 GMC Acadia

Complete distribution of consumer defect reports across all 48 granular NHTSA system and subsystem classifications

Vehicle Component / System Total Complaints Crash Reports Fire Reports Injury Entries Fatality Entries
Powertrain NHTSA category: POWER TRAIN 9 0 0 0 0
Electrical System NHTSA category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 0 0 0 0
Engine NHTSA category: ENGINE 7 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 6 0 0 0 0
Steering NHTSA category: STEERING 6 0 0 0 0
Other / Uncategorized NHTSA category: UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 0 0 0 0
Fuel & Propulsion System NHTSA category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 3 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 1 0 0 0
Forward Collision Avoidance NHTSA category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 0 0 0 0
Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES 3 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 0 0 0 0
Lane Departure Warning NHTSA category: LANE DEPARTURE 2 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ENGINE 2 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,SEATS 1 1 0 2 0
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 1 0 0 0
Back Over Prevention / Camera NHTSA category: BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
CARRY HANDLE, SHELL, BASE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
Engine & Cooling NHTSA category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 0 0 0 0
Fuel System NHTSA category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 0 0 0 0
Doors, Latches & Locks NHTSA category: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
Seat Belts NHTSA category: SEAT BELTS 1 0 0 0 0
SEAT BELTS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,POWER TRAIN 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 1 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
Visibility & Wipers NHTSA category: VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
Wheels & Hubs NHTSA category: WHEELS 1 0 0 0 0
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Common Problems & Reliability Questions for the 2020 GMC Acadia

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2020 GMC Acadia

What are the most common reported problems with the 2020 GMC Acadia?

In official NHTSA consumer records, the most frequently cited issue area for the 2020 GMC Acadia is Electrical System, appearing in 27 records (27.6% of submitted filings).

Secondary reported categories include Engine & Cooling (24) and Powertrain & Transmission (21).

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is the 2020 GMC Acadia a reliable vehicle?

AutoUtility does not issue subjective reliability scores or commercial ratings. In official United States government records, NHTSA tracks 98 consumer defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2020 GMC Acadia.

Reviewing documented component complaint distributions, recall remedy notices, and active federal investigations provides an objective, evidence-based view of the vehicle's historical safety and defect record.

Source: NHTSA ODI & Safety Recalls Databases

Are there crash, fire, or injury reports associated with the 2020 GMC Acadia?

Among consumer complaint records on file with NHTSA for the 2020 GMC Acadia, 4 filings cite a crash, 0 cite smoke or fire, and 1 report one or more injuries.

Incident entries represent consumer descriptions at the time of submission to federal authorities and do not establish mechanical causation or legal liability.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Consumer Logs

Has NHTSA formally investigated defects on the 2020 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA ODI records list 1 formal defect investigation involving the 2020 GMC Acadia (all closed).

Federal defect investigations are formal engineering evaluations opened when safety defect trends emerge, and do not by themselves establish a confirmed defect or mandatory recall.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Registry
Official US Government Data Provenance

The complaint records on this page are retrieved directly from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) public database under 49 CFR Part 576.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.