2020 Gmc Acadia Safety Report
2020 GMC Acadia Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Gmc Acadia. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (82) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Gmc Acadia with 34 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Gmc Acadia before buying across this generation. |
Gmc Acadia Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Gmc Acadia years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Gmc Acadia | 133 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Gmc Acadia | 343 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Gmc Acadia | 44 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Gmc Acadia | 368 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Gmc Acadia | 34 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Gmc Acadia | 680 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Gmc Acadia Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Gmc Acadia, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Gmc onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Gmc onlyEngine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Gmc onlyPower Train,Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Gmc onlySteering
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Gmc onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Gmc onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
Reliability Score
The 2020 Gmc Acadia receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Gmc Acadia:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission Transmission issues have been reported, including shift failures and shuddering, often occurring around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Coolant Thermostat Thermostat failures have been reported, leading to engine coolant issues and check engine light codes. |
High | Occasional | 55k-70k miles |
| Steering Assist System Steering assist warnings are frequent, indicating reduced assistance, which can affect driving safety. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Camera System Issues with the rear camera system have been reported, affecting backup visibility. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Gmc Acadia:
Transmission problems, including shift failures and shuddering, are a common issue.
Thermostat failures have been reported, leading to engine coolant issues.
Steering assist warnings are frequent, indicating reduced assistance.
Issues with the rear camera system have been reported, affecting backup visibility.
Recall Details for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Gmc Acadia by NHTSA:
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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 r...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Gmc Acadia with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the AC was inoperable. The message “Driving Assist Reduced - Drive with Care” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery. While driving, the m...
On multiple occasions the car will suddenly brake or like throw on the parking brake and stop suddenly no warning
My 2020 GMC Acadia slt has a a warning message that pops up on the dash display which reads power steering operating at reduced assistance. Please proceed with extreme caution. At high speeds the wheel kinda pulls and is loose for handling. It also atfff conley buick out by the conley buick sericexx2020 acadias. I don't not54⁴ lower rates of speed becomes extremely hard to maneuver . Almost zero a...
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the doors failed to open from outside the vehicle while using the key fob or while attempting to open the doors manually. The contact entered the vehicle from the rear hatch door and discovered that the door lock and unlock buttons were inoperable. The contact pulled the door handle to manually open the door from the inside. The cause of ...
The torque converter in the transmission has been vibrating for over a year now. I can imagine it is causing more damage to the rest of the transmission. Now I can feel the shifting starting to get rough, loss of power, and dark transmission fluid. I had the problem confirmed with an independent service center. There have been no warning lamps as of yet. But it's only a matter of time that I will ...
Check engine light codes: P01F0; P0128 Engine coolant thermostat opening at a lower temperature than intended. Replace thermostat.
Reduced steering assist came up on screen then as we went a few more miles the tire pressure on right front dropping like crazy for no reason on screen in vehicle stopped looked at tire no issues.
Rear heater line leak detected during evaluation of engine code P01F0 and empty expansion tank was noted. There was never any puddle in my garage prior to the incident, and nothing detected after the fact either. Pictures included demonstrate a leak at the double-crimp near the farthest rear point of the vehicle. The other hose behind the drip photo was also leaking at the crimp under the secon...
Failed component was thermostat and I do not have possession of it. Over several months, I would receive infrequent and unrepeatable messages of "steering assist reduced" and my temp gauge would drop all the way to the cold side. No other recorded codes were being set after frequent trips to Autozone for verification and there were no check engine light warnings. No other signs of vehicle malfu...
After heavy rain or a carwash, the door locks and lift gate don't work from key fob. And the vehicle says no remote detected and has trouble starting. After a day or two they start working again. It caused U0422 (invalid data received from body control module). On forums it says it can be water leaking into the vehicle and shorting out the BMC from either the HVAC drain or a weatherstrip somewhere...
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.
My front camera that detects the front collision and helps with adaptive cruise control just went dark. I thought maybe it would reset after turning engine off and restarting it, but it didn’t help. Not sure what happened.
1. Shift to Park failure, P0700/P187e internal sensor, causing me to have to get a rebuilt transmission. 10/2025 2. Transmission shudder/hard-shifting ongoing 2022-2025 3. Coolant/thermostat issues. Steering Assist Reduced" message, fans stay on HIGH, no AC, engine temp on ZERO ongoing since 2024 3. Start/Stop button failure multiple times (replaced 3 times) 4. Rack and pinion/steering gear (wo...
Steering Assist reduced drive with care message. This is an extremely common issue and should be a recall. ALOT of people including my dealer service advisor has this issue with their vehicle this message comes up fans kick on high a/c stops working and temp gauge stops working. It can be reset by unplugging battery or clearing the code.
The "Steering Assist is Reduced" warning came on the same time the engine thermostat display stopped working. Then the check engine light came on the same time the AC stopped working. At first I thought maybe it was just the battery, so I had that changed out. But the "Steering Assist" warning continued and the engine thermostat display was still stuck on "Cold" no matter what (note: the oil t...
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. While the vehicle was at the dealer for maintenance, the contact was informed that the radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was advised that there was coolant intrusion. The contact stated that it was not specified if the coolant intrusion had gone into the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repair...
I own a 2020 GMC Acadia that has experienced multiple major mechanical failures within one year. In January 2025, at around 74,000 miles, the transmission failed completely with no warning or clear indication of what was wrong. The vehicle suddenly lost power while driving, creating a safety risk for me and my child. I was quoted around $12,000 for the transmission replacement initially before get...
Vehicle will shutter or buck at variable speeds like, 35-38 mph, 40-45 mph and so on. if I take my foot of the gas and reapply it will shutter buck again at almost any speed. I took it to a mechanic and there are no codes, no check engine light. Shop recommended changing the transmission fluid so we did. Car still responds the same way, shutters and bucks when reapplying fuel pedal or slow acce...
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed at an intersection, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection. The vehicle failed to restart, and the driver was unable to pull over ...
My 2020 GMC Acadia has experienced significant transmission issues, including [slipping / shuddering / “Service Transmission” warnings / loss of drive]. The problem has been diagnosed as a torque converter/transmission failure. GM has acknowledged known defects and issued recalls for 2019–2020 Acadia transmissions related to missing bolts in the start-stop accumulator endcap, which can cause flui...
Showing 20 of 82 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Gmc Acadia
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Opened 2022-07-22 · Closed 2022-11-21
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 t...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Gmc Acadia
Has the 2020 GMC ACADIA been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 GMC ACADIA has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 GMC ACADIA have?
The 2020 GMC ACADIA has 82 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
The 2020 GMC ACADIA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 GMC ACADIA involve power train (9 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine, steering, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2020 GMC ACADIA have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2020 GMC ACADIA out of 82 total complaints (4.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 GMC ACADIA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 GMC ACADIA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 GMC ACADIA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 GMC ACADIA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 GMC ACADIA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 GMC ACADIA is acceptable with caveats. It has 82 complaints, 6 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 GMC ACADIA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (9 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 3. ENGINE (5 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (5 complaints), 5. STEERING (4 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 GMC ACADIA?
Be aware of common issues with the transmission, steering assist, and rear camera system. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid potential safety hazards. The 2020 GMC ACADIA has 82 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
The 2020 GMC ACADIA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 82 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Automatic Transmission and Engine Coolant Thermostat.
What are the known issues with the 2020 GMC ACADIA?
Known issues with the 2020 GMC ACADIA include: Automatic Transmission, Engine Coolant Thermostat, Steering Assist System, Rear Camera System. These are based on patterns found across 82 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 GMC Acadia?
Common issues include transmission problems, steering assist warnings, and rear camera system failures.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 GMC Acadia?
Yes, there are recalls for transmission issues, tire problems, and electrical system components.
What should I do if I experience reduced steering assist?
Have the system checked by a professional to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of common issues with the transmission, steering assist, and rear camera system. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid potential safety hazards.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Gmc Acadia
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Gmc Acadia. The data includes 82 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Gmc Acadia an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16