The 2021 GMC Acadia shows a mixed reliability profile with two significant recalls affecting fuel delivery and back over prevention systems. Given the peak failure range of 20,000 to 40,000 miles, owners should be proactive about inspections.
Key Factor:Fuel system vulnerabilities
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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
The recalls on the fuel system and back over prevention components are critical because they address issues that could lead to stalling or accidents. A malfunctioning fuel supply line poses a serious risk of engine failure while driving, which could leave drivers stranded or worse. The back-over prevention camera failing might not seem as harmful, but it could compromise safety when reversing, leading to potential collisions. These factors require immediate attention from current owners and should raise red flags for prospective buyers.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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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: While the GMC Acadia has a modern design with advanced features, its reliability is hindered by these recalls. The presence of multiple complaints suggests that users have experienced ongoing issues that need addressing, indicating a worrying trend for this model year compared to its peers in the segment.
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
With peak failures occurring between 20,000 and 40,000 miles, it's essential for owners to remain vigilant during this period. Given that most warranties cover only until around this mileage range, any unresolved issues could become expensive repairs after the warranty expires.
📊 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
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Fuel System
Issue: Improperly attached fuel supply lines may lead to leaks and engine stalls.
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Get the fuel system inspected at your earliest convenience to prevent potential leaks.
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Always check for recall repairs performed on the vehicle's fuel system before purchase.
Campaigns:21V31621V317
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your GMC dealer to verify recall completion status.
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
What are the common problems with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Common issues reported include fuel system failures due to improper attachment of supply lines and intermittent failures of the rear-view camera systems. These problems can affect performance and safety significantly.
Is there a risk of breakdown with a recalled GMC Acadia?
Yes, if you own a recalled GMC Acadia or are considering purchasing one without addressing these recalls, there's an increased risk of breakdown due to potential fueling issues or backup safety malfunctions.
📊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%.
🧭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
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified GMC service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in GMC's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Obtain proof of recall completion for all 2 campaigns before purchase.
Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.