This 2021 model shows average reliability, primarily driven by 2 recalls affecting the fuel system, gasoline system.
Key Factor:fuel system, gasoline recalls
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (2) than the average GMC vehicle (1.6). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
2 recalls for this vehicle1.6 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
📋Why This Matters
Powertrain issues affect both daily reliability and long-term ownership costs. Unexpected stalling creates inconvenience at best and safety hazards at worst.
Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.
Focus Area:powertrain reliability
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Warning
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.6)
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Summary:
Safety & Reliability Score
79/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 GMC Acadia
Model Year2021
MakeGMC
ModelAcadia
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar21
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb22
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
24 complaints (24% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.
🟠High
8(8%)
🟡Medium
23(23%)
🟢Low
69(69%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
⚙️Engineering Insight
Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 20k-40k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 34,721 miles.
📊 Mileage data extracted from 34 of 100 complaints (34% coverage)
0-20k
9 reports (26%)
20k-40k
15 reports (44%)
40k-60k
5 reports (15%)
60k-80k
2 reports (6%)
80k-100k
2 reports (6%)
100k+
1 reports (3%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEBACK OVER PREVENTION
Official Safety Recalls (2)
Campaign: 21V422000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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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.
Consequence
Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 22V709000
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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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.
Consequence
An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
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No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
100 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Acadia.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Warning24%
Check Engine Light12%
Stall12%
Accident8%
Noise8%
Display7%
Acceleration Issues7%
Battery6%
Leak5%
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE
VEHICLE'S ENGINE INCURRED COOLANT TEMPERATURE ISSUES, SET DTC CODE, AND COOLING FAN RAN AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS THERMOSTAT FAILURE AND COMPLETED REPAIRS. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND NO SERVICE ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BACK ORDER FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND WAS SECURED THROUGH DEALER IN DETROIT CURRENT NHTSA ID NUMBER 110243390 / MFG COMMUNICATION # N252508350 REFERRING TO 3.6 V-6 ENGINE. GMC DECLINED ANY MONETARY ASSISTANCE TOWARDS REPAIRS WITH 76278 MILES I ALSO OWN A 2020 CHEVROLET BLAZER WITH A 3.6 V-6 ENGINE THAT EXPERIENCED SAME FAILURE PAID $400 DEDUCTABLE TOWARD REPAIR
Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The infotainment center/and On Star alert systems ( crash detections / SOS ) No access to anything in the infotainments center along with most of the safety setting not alerting due to and over the air update failure. yes is available for inspection upon request. all On star safety features are not working if a crash were to happen i would not be able to get help if i was injured. Yes and it is ongoing. BY a GMC certified dealer. No.
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
For the 3rd time of ownership the cooling fan stays on after vehicle is turned off and the display “steering assist is reduced, drive with caution”.
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
"STEERING ASSIST REDUCED. DRIVE WITH CARE" message, fan runs nonstop, even after the vehicle is off. Sounds like a plane taking off. This seems to be EXTREMELY common after doing my research. Please consider turning this into a recall!
Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Getting a pop up that says “steering assist reduced”. Temp gauge drops completely. AC won’t work and fan kicks on
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
The thermostat failed which cause the steering system to fail and car to not read temperature
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump control module. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 36,970.
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE
GM need to be looked at for faulty Thermostats being put into vehicles. While driving the message "steering assist is reduced " You get to a safe place and shut you car off and the fan still runs. After speaking with my dealer today, he said he has done 7 in last week. And if you look online, everyone especially Acadia models is having this problem. Customers are getting charged alot of money for the repair. To me this is a defective thermostat on GM and needs to be addressed
Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS Modulator failed leaking oil. Loss of braking Repair service found the same problem. Part was scrapped.
Electrical🔵 Low
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Often times, on the heads-up display I would get "Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care" and my temp gauge will stop working and when I stop, my fan continues to run until I disconnect the battery for 20 secs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Yes, the 2021 GMC Acadia has 2 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA.
Is the 2021 GMC Acadia safe to drive?
The 2021 GMC Acadia has 2 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.
Where can I check if my 2021 GMC Acadia has open recalls?
You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local GMC dealer.
📊Year-over-Year Context
📈Improving Trend
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 67%.
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Fuel system, gasoline
Issue: presents fire risk under certain conditions
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm fuel system, gasoline recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all fuel system, gasoline recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaign:21V422000
2
Back over prevention
Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm back over prevention recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all back over prevention recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaign:22V709000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your GMC dealer to verify recall completion status.
🧭What This Means for You
This information is especially relevant for drivers who rely on stop-and-go traffic or frequently use auto start-stop systems.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Verify all 2 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your GMC dealer.
If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used
Request documentation proving all recalls were addressed before finalizing purchase.
Factor potential recall-related service time into your ownership cost estimates.