2021 Gmc Acadia Safety Report
2021 GMC Acadia Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Gmc Acadia
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (133) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 6 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Gmc Acadia with 34 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Gmc Acadia | 44 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Gmc Acadia | 82 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Gmc Acadia | 34 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Gmc Acadia | 343 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Gmc Acadia | 49 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Gmc Acadia | 368 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Gmc Acadia Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Fuel/Propulsion System
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Gmc onlyEngine
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Gmc onlyElectrical System
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Gmc onlyService Brakes
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Gmc onlyPower Train
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Gmc onlyUnknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Gmc onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Gmc Acadia
Reliability Score
The 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Gmc Acadia
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Gmc Acadia:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System Issues Recalls have been issued for issues with gasoline delivery hoses, lines, and fittings. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Check Engine Light The check engine light has come on frequently, especially during winter months. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Issues Steering has become dangerously stiff, nearly causing a serious accident. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Slipping Transmission has slipped, requiring multiple visits to the dealer. |
Medium | Rare | 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 2021 Gmc Acadia:
Issues with gasoline delivery hoses, lines, and fittings.
Frequent check engine light occurrences.
Steering issues reported, including dangerous stiffness.
Transmission slipping, requiring multiple visits to the dealer.
Recall Details for the 2021 Gmc Acadia
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 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 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Gmc Acadia
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Gmc Acadia with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the coolant fan was running after the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed due to the check engine warning light being illuminated. The contact was informed that DTC: P1098; was retrieved, which indicated a ...
My vehicle’s steering became dangerously stiff while driving on the highway, nearly causing my wife to be involved in a serious accident. While she was traveling on I-95 in Miami, Florida, the steering suddenly got so hard that she could barely control the vehicle and was unable to turn the wheel properly. This created an extremely dangerous situation and put her life, as well as the lives of othe...
Car has had multiple issues with check engine light coming on for the last 2 years and stays on especially during the winter months. The purge pump has failed multiple times. The cooling fan has run after engine shutting off for multiple years now. The thermostat has been failing for the last 6 months. Now yesterday low power protection suddenly turned on driving on the expressway limiting pow...
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started running rough before the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. There was no warning illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed ...
Car was taken in for an oil change at 62k Miles. Dealer advised that it needed a radiator replaced. At 64k miles it was brought into the dealer for warranty work due to a failing thermostat. While being diagnosed, we were told not only the radiator needed to be replaced, but the oil cooler also needed to be replaced. So a 5 year old car with just over 60k Miles had the thermostat/sensor fail and ...
Had vehicles looked at twice and serviced once for the transmission slipping. No issues were found when looked at and light was deleted. Took to another mechanic who drained and refilled transmission. Transmission still slips after service. This happens at acceleration and continues til 3rd gears where it jerks in between gears. Stops while driving continuously, the starts up again if stopped for ...
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and DTC: P04FB; was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with moisture of the crank case. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a quick fix and was covered under the warranty. The contact stated that th...
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 29,000. The contact attempted to trade in the vehicle, and the purchasing dealer checked the VIN and retrieved a Carfax Report. The Carfax Report indicated that the mileage on the Title on 11/...
Been happening for a year and a half. Muffler is very loud and rattles constantly. Getting worse over time. There is a current recall but my vin isn’t included even though my car is having the same issue.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle started, and the contact exited the vehicle and ran into the house for a while. The contact stated that while reentering the vehicle, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was employed by an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was driven to the plac...
The electronic dashboard goes black while driving. I was driving to work on the highway at highway speeds and the entire electronic dashboard went black including the hud display and the radio screen. The radio screen turned back on and auto reconnected to my phone and android auto. I was able to safely get to an exit and park, turn off the car and restart and the dash did come back on to then go ...
Cars is not keeping track of temperature showing engine is cold after 30 minutes of driving, fan runs for extended periods of time after shutting off, check engine light comes on, steering assist alert comes in screen. All of this happens in a cycle. To stop it the battery has to be unplugged and reconnected resetting the car and everything goes back to being fine for a short period of time.
My car suddenly out of the blue started overheating. By the time I could get stopped safely and turn the car off the engine fan kept running to try to cool it down. I’ve never had any issues with my car. It only has 47,000 miles on it. I now have to have it towed to a mechanic shop to get diagnosed, but I’m hearing that it’s probably a thermostat and that the GMC Acadia’s are famous for that being...
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 i...
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 # N2525083...
Getting a pop up that says “steering assist reduced”. Temp gauge drops completely. AC won’t work and fan kicks on
"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!
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”.
The thermostat failed which cause the steering system to fail and car to not read temperature
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 cont...
Showing 20 of 133 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 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 2021 Gmc Acadia
Has the 2021 GMC ACADIA been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 GMC ACADIA has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 GMC ACADIA have?
The 2021 GMC ACADIA has 133 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 GMC ACADIA?
The 2021 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 2021 GMC ACADIA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 GMC ACADIA involve fuel/propulsion system (15 complaints), engine (11 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, power train, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2021 GMC ACADIA have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2021 GMC ACADIA out of 133 total complaints (4.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 GMC ACADIA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 GMC ACADIA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 GMC ACADIA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 GMC ACADIA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 GMC ACADIA?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 GMC ACADIA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 GMC ACADIA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 GMC ACADIA is acceptable with caveats. It has 133 complaints, 2 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 2021 GMC ACADIA?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 GMC ACADIA are: 1. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (15 complaints), 2. ENGINE (11 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (10 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (8 complaints). FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 15 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 GMC ACADIA?
Be cautious of fuel system issues and recurring check engine light problems. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid more severe issues. The 2021 GMC ACADIA has 133 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 GMC ACADIA?
The 2021 GMC ACADIA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 133 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 6 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System Issues and Check Engine Light.
What are the known issues with the 2021 GMC ACADIA?
Known issues with the 2021 GMC ACADIA include: Fuel System Issues, Check Engine Light, Steering Issues, Transmission Slipping. These are based on patterns found across 133 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Common issues include fuel system problems, check engine light occurrences, steering stiffness, and transmission slipping.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia?
Yes, there are recalls related to fuel system issues and check engine light problems.
What should I do if I experience steering stiffness in my 2021 GMC Acadia?
Seek immediate professional assistance to address the steering stiffness, as it could be dangerous.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of fuel system issues and recurring check engine light problems. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid more severe issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Gmc Acadia
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Gmc Acadia. The data includes 133 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 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