2011 GMC Acadia Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Acadia.

20102012
Complaints
372
per 10K Sold
46.9
US Sales
79,288
Crashes
10
Fires
11
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2011 GMC Acadia Problems

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

#164 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:72,663 mi
#252 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:80,805 mi
Fires:2
#346 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:80,798 mi
Fires:1
Considering a 2011 GMC Acadia?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 GMC Acadia.

Steering Defects
64
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,663
Engine Problems
52
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
80,805
Electrical Faults
46
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,798
Headlight/Taillight Failures
37
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
69,072
Transmission / Drivetrain
30
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
88,249
Airbags
19
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
53,146
Electronic Stability Control
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,419
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,300
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,984
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,016
Seat Belt Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,212
Seat-Related Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
42,943
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,165
Wipers & Visibility
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
91,187
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 GMC Acadia. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 GMC Acadia

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,254,860 vehicles.

21V246000Air Bags:critical Fasteners
~108 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

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.

12V151000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
~47,846 affected

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Other GMC Acadia Years

2011 GMC Acadia — FAQ

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

Is the 2011 GMC Acadia reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 GMC Acadia has 372 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 64 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 GMC Acadia?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (64 complaints, avg 72,663 mi); Engine Problems (52 complaints, avg 80,805 mi); Electrical Faults (46 complaints, avg 80,798 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 2011 GMC Acadia?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,889 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 GMC Acadia?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 GMC Acadia include 10 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 11 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 2011 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,254,860 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 2011 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.

Check Your Specific 2011 GMC Acadia

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99