2018 GMC Acadia Problems: 6 Known Issues
2018 model year · 560+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2018 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2018 model year · 560+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2018 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 560+ owner reports, the 2018 GMC Acadia has 6 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is 3.6L V6 Internal Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak. The most commonly reported issue is 9T65 9-Speed Transmission Harsh Shifts and Hesitation with 560 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $120 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The certification label located on the driver's side B-pillar contains tire size information that may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles. The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 560+ owner reports, the 2018 GMC Acadia has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 3.6L V6 Internal Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak, 9T65 9-Speed Transmission Harsh Shifts and Hesitation, "Shift to Park" Message With No-Shutdown / Door-Lock Lockout and Battery Drain. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2018 GMC Acadia has 6 known issues documented across 560+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: 3.6L V6 Internal Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known GMC Acadia issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
GM customer-satisfaction bulletin 13079 covers certain 2009-2013 GMC Acadia vehicles with 3.6L High Feature V6 engines (RPO LY7 or LLT) that may experience leakage from the water-pump shaft seal, often after operation with low coolant. Severity: high.
The second-generation Acadia (2017+) uses the GM 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission which shares known issues with the Chevrolet Traverse and Blazer. Common complaints include harsh 1-2 upshifts, hesitation between 5-15 mph, lurching on light throttle in stop-and-go traffic, and… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 GMC Acadia and 2024 Cadilac XT5 and XT6 vehicles. The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body.
AIR BAGS
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Acadia vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) may have been left in "manufacturing mode" and not activated at the assembly plant prior to shipment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
+ 4 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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GM bulletin 10251901 covers specified 2017-2019 GMC Acadia vehicles that can intermittently display a Shift-to-Park message even though the transmission selector is in Park. Severity: medium.
GM bulletin 22-NA-033 covers 2019 GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with IOS, IOU or IOT radios that can reset or reboot and display the GMC splash animation. Bluetooth-call or touch-input symptoms can occur immediately before the reboot. Severity: medium.
The Lambda-platform hub bearing assemblies wear early — owners report failures well under 60,000 miles and, on the rear, repeat failures on the same vehicle. Two distinct symptoms come from one part: mechanical noise (a speed-dependent hum or growl that changes when the vehicle i… Repairs typically run $250-$800. Severity: medium.
The dual-zone HVAC case uses several small plastic-geared blend/mode door actuators. The gear teeth strip or the door binds, so the actuator hunts for its calibration position and produces a repetitive clicking or ticking from behind the dash or glovebox. The classic complaint is… Repairs typically run $120-$450. Severity: low.