Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 GMC Acadia is associated with 146 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Fuel & Propulsion System, accounting for 16 reports (11% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 2.5l 4-cyl, and 3.6l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 21 to 25 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 146 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Fuel & Propulsion System (16 / 11%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 6 crash / 0 fire / 3 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 21–25 MPG across 5 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 GMC Acadia?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Acadia FWD 2L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 22 MPG 29 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Acadia AWD 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 22 MPG 27 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Acadia FWD 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Acadia FWD 3.6L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Acadia AWD 3.6L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 GMC Acadia?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV FWD 16.400000000000002%
SUV AWD 15.1%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 GMC Acadia models.
View complete 2021 GMC Acadia crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 GMC Acadia?

Summary of 146 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
146
Crash Reports
6
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
3
Total Injuries
3

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Fuel & Propulsion System 16 complaints
Engine 13 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints
Powertrain 8 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 GMC Acadia problems & component breakdown (61 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 GMC Acadia?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #22V709000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Defect Summary: General 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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 #21V422000 Active Recall
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers 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.
View all 2021 GMC Acadia recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 GMC Acadia

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 GMC Acadia

How many safety recalls does the 2021 GMC Acadia have?

The 2021 GMC Acadia is associated with 2 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 2 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 GMC Acadia?

NHTSA records list 146 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 GMC Acadia. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Fuel & Propulsion System, appearing in 16 filings (11% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 GMC Acadia defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 GMC Acadia?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 GMC Acadia earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 GMC Acadia get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 GMC Acadia range from 21 to 25 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

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