Is the 2021 GMC Acadia a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Acadia years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 GMC Acadia are in line with other Acadia years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 40 (26%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 31 (20%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 30 (19%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 18 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 18 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | 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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 156 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 4 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
48 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.
Recalls for the 2021 GMC Acadia: 2
The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently. An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
General Motors, LLC. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated. Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
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: 332
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 GMC Acadia. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Potential for condensation to freeze up inside the Crankcase Pressure Sensor causing dtc P04FB to set
Some vehicles may have a condition that could cause the engine coolant thermostat to open at a lower temperature than intended
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…
Diagnostic repair information to correct an oil leak in the engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Rear-View Camera Failure
Neighbouring years
2020 Acadia: 107 complaints, keep it · 2022 Acadia: 52 complaints, keep it.
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 2021 GMC Acadia a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Acadia years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Acadia?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (40), engine (31), fuel system (30), brakes (18), steering (18).
How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Acadia have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 22V-709), Fuel system (NHTSA 21V-422). 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.