2020 GMC Acadia: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and steering. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 84
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 4
- 2 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 GMC Acadia: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Acadia is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 GMC Acadia. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23–24 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21–22 mpg |
- The 2020 GMC Acadia was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Acadia that averages well under the EPA 21 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Complete transmission failure
74,000–80,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 GMC Acadia, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical171 crash
The rear camera screen goes black in reverse and shows a warning symbol, sometimes again and again after repeated dealer visits. Driver aids act up too: blind spot alerts trigger wrongly, automatic braking engages with nothing ahead, and traction control drops out. The center display can stay blank or throw errors, and some radios get replaced more than once. After rain or a car wash, the key fob, door locks, and liftgate can stop working. One crash-related report describes a cascade of warnings, reduced engine power, and lost cruise control.
Transmission17No crashes
The 9-speed transmission shudders, vibrates, or bucks at steady speeds, with complaints of shudder as early as 15000 miles. Hard shifts, hesitation followed by a lurch, and unwanted downshifts are common. Some vehicles shift out of drive or into neutral while moving, or won't stay in park. Fluid flushes and torque converter replacement don't always fix it, and complete transmission failure is reported at roughly 74,000 to 80,000 miles. Sudden loss of power at highway speed is the main safety risk.
Steering12No crashes
A "Steering Assist Reduced" warning appears together with a temperature gauge stuck on cold, air conditioning that stops cooling, and a loud cooling fan running nonstop. Owners trace this to a failing thermostat, and replacing the battery doesn't cure it. A separate pattern is power steering that cuts out and comes back without warning, making the wheel very heavy at low speeds. That fix calls for a new power steering module that can cost over $1,000 and is sometimes backordered. One owner also needed a new rack and pinion after the steering stuck mid-turn.
Engine5No crashes
Thermostat failure is the main issue. It sets codes P01F0 or P0128, drops the temperature gauge to cold, and often brings up the steering assist warning. One failure came under 55,000 miles. Early on the symptoms can come and go without setting a code, which makes diagnosis slow. Other reports describe a cracked catalytic converter leaking exhaust into the cabin at under 60,000 miles, and leaking rear heater lines that require replacing the whole dealer-only assembly.
Fuel system4No crashes
The engine loses power and shuts off while driving, sometimes after violent jerking at highway speed, and may not restart right away. The fuel gauge can read wrong, showing half or three-quarters full after a fill-up, or running dry while still showing range left. Fuel pump module failure causes a no-start, with one vehicle needing a second replacement around 50k miles. A stall at speed puts the car at risk in traffic. Only a few complaints are on file.
Airbags32 crashes
No deployment occurs in a serious rear-end collision described in one crash report, which involved 2 injuries and a fractured front passenger seat. A second crash report describes the vehicle speeding up on its own at low speed and hitting a wall, and the air bags did deploy in that one. The third lists an air bag fault among many warning lights appearing at once. Two of the 3 complaints involve crashes, but the total count is small.
Seat belts3No crashes
Front seat belts fail to latch on the first few tries or come unlatched while the car is moving. In one case both front belts were affected, and the dealer said they needed replacement at about 35,000 miles. An unlatched belt leaves the occupant unprotected in a crash. Only 3 complaints are on file, and one gives no detail.
Brakes3No crashes
The electronic parking brake engages on its own, sometimes while the car is moving, bringing it to a sudden stop with no warning. One case happened at 15 mph on a nearly new vehicle. Other owners say the parking brake sets itself when parked on an incline and won't release until the car is put in gear. Dealers have been unsure of the cause. An unexpected hard stop raises the risk of a rear-end collision.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Acadia owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Code P0128. While driving the vehicle gives a "steering assist reduced drive with care" the engine coolant temperature gage goes to 0 and the cooling fan runs until you turn off the car, and the a/c stops working. After replacing the engine coolant temperature sensor and harness the vehicle still does it. There are hundreds of reports of this happening online in forums. This is a safety issue when the vehicle is being driven.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
While driving the vehicle goes into Automatic Braking. It has stopped me while I'm driving or it will make a loud scrubbing noise as if I've hit the brakes quickly. It has happened over 15 or more times. I've taken to dealership and they are not very responsive to check into the issue I am having. It is a danger to me if I am on the Interstate with vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
15000 miles and already having transmission/torque converter shutter. In the shop now. Shutters in all gears and also while in cruise control at 70-75 + mph Dangerous when car won't shift.Dealer has confirmed this issue and has performed a flush. Problem still there and very noticeable. On star has reported these warnings and dealer confirmed codes.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
Car keeps throwing Poo14 code for VVt sensor, I’ve replaced the sensors and checked wiring on the side of the road and no damage found, went online and read multiple complaints and recalls on the same issue I’m having with my car. I enter my vin and no recalls have been found. I have a 2020 gmc Acadia Denali 3.6l v6. As well and the rear view camera cutting in and out multiple times anlmost causing an wreck. and a system update didn’t fix the issue.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Power steering system fails intermittently. Power steering goes and comes back on without warning, causing the driver to oversteer the vehicle. Mechanic performed software update, which did not fix the problem and told me the power steering module needs to be replaced, which would be over $1,000 for the part, plus labor and re-alignment. Additionally, the replacement power steering module is not currently available - it is on backorder.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
When it rains(or car wash) my power locks don't work. I get locked out of my car. My car reset itself in the middle of an intersection(like I turned it off and back on again). One of my gauges is always not working. The sunroof doesn't work right. Water is getting in the electrical area somehow. I've taken it to two chevrolet dealerships, but no help.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2025
Engine coolant thermostat failed under 55,000 miles and had to have it repaired on my 2020 Acadia. The 2021 Acadia has a recall on the thermostat.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
How the 2020 compares with other Acadia years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 7 Acadia years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical1720
- Transmission1731
- Steering127
- Engine55
- Fuel system44
- Airbags32
Where the 2020 fits in the Acadia's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the fourth model year of the Acadia's second generation (2017–2023).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2020
- New exterior styling
- Revised infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- New alloy wheel options
- Introduction of AT4 trim
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
22V709000Backup cameraSep 2022
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.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V115000Wheels and tiresFeb 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
20V684000Wheels and tiresNov 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
20V668000TransmissionOct 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
20V639000Fuel systemOct 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
Risk: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
20V446000AirbagsJul 2020
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Also looking at these instead of a Acadia?
Cars shoppers compare with the GMC Acadia, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
- 2020 GMC Acadia84
- Chevrolet Traverse188
- Toyota Highlander269
- Honda Pilot431
- Hyundai Palisade521
- Kia Telluride667
- Ford Explorer1,066
