Is the 2017 GMC Acadia a bad year?
707 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 236, 11× a quiet Acadia year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 25k–53k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 5 of 236 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Acadia owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 36,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 236 (33%) | 25k–53k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 193 (27%) | 16k–45k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 64 (9%) | 34k–58k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 36 (5%) | 20k–50k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 35 (5%) | 33k–60k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Stability control | 13 (2%) | 26k–39k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 25 (4%) | 0k–10k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 76 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 17 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 36,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 707 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
49 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When I put the car in park and try to shut off my car, it beeps and tells me that I have to shift my car into park.
When shifting vehicle into park, the vehicle still says shift to park and will not turn off.
A "Shift to park" Message shows up after I have already put my vehicle in park which does not allow me to turn my vehicle off completely.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 36,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 GMC Acadia: 4
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving. If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak. If there is a brake fluid leak, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 509
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 GMC Acadia. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set
Neighbouring years
2016 Acadia: 236 complaints, keep it · 2018 Acadia: 399 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every GMC Acadia year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Acadia years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Canyon · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra · GMC Sierra 1500 · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Terrain · GMC Yukon · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 GMC Acadia a bad year?
707 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 236, 11× a quiet Acadia year. At 36,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 25k–53k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 5 of 236 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Acadia?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (236), electrical system (193), engine (64), brakes (36), steering (35). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 25k–53k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 GMC Acadia have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 23V-334), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-358), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-516), Brakes (NHTSA 16V-802). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.