2009 GMC Acadia Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 GMC Acadia.

20082010
Complaints
485
per 10K Sold
90.1
US Sales
53,820
Crashes
13
Fires
20
Injuries
29
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2009 GMC Acadia Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1109 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:73,760 mi
Crash-related:3
#270 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:91,601 mi
Crash-related:1
#367 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:124,552 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 GMC Acadia.

Steering Defects
109
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
73,760
Transmission / Drivetrain
70
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
91,601
Engine Problems
67
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
124,552
Electrical Faults
45
complaints
Crashes
Fires
4
Avg Miles
79,095
Headlight/Taillight Failures
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
74,344
Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
106,251
Electronic Stability Control
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,758
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,715
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,134
Seat Belt Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
104,161
Body Structure
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
69,715
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,520
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,108
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,500
Seat-Related Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,550
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 GMC Acadia. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 GMC Acadia

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,779,186 vehicles.

15V415000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
~691,144 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

14V266000Seat Belts
~1,339,355 affected

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

14V118000Air Bags:side/window
~1,176,407 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

10V375000Seat Belts
~207,210 affected

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Other GMC Acadia Years

2009 GMC Acadia — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 GMC Acadia reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 GMC Acadia has 485 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 109 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 GMC Acadia?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (109 complaints, avg 73,760 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (70 complaints, avg 91,601 mi); Engine Problems (67 complaints, avg 124,552 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 GMC Acadia?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,266 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 GMC Acadia include 13 crash-related reports, 20 fire reports, 29 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,779,186 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 GMC Acadia?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Acadia reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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