2016 GMC Acadia recalls and problems

4 recalls and 236 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Acadia.

4
recalls
236
owner complaints
8
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 GMC Acadia recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 23V334000 · reported May 10, 2023 · General Motors, LLC · 995,085 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

Air bags: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · reported April 8, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 108 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Seats

NHTSA campaign 15V833000 · reported December 11, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 2,633 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
The risk
If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor

NHTSA campaign 15V609000 · reported September 29, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 29,295 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
The risk
A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 5, 2026 · Power train

Transmission torque converter required replacement

Aug 28, 2026 · Engine

Technician told me the engine "grenaded itself". "Cylinder #4 melted into the side walls of the cylinder wall caused by air to fuel mix ratio controlled by the ECU failure to mix appropriately." My family and I were traveling for Easter and were stranded on the side of the highway. I had a private repair shop…

Jul 14, 2026 · Seat belts

The cable that attaches the front driver seatbelt to the base of the seat (left side), suddenly broke when simply buckling the belt.

Jun 27, 2026 · Power train

TRANSMISSION BEGAN HESITATING AROUND 1800RPM WITH ONLY 92,000 MILES SHOWING ON THE ODOMETER. IT FEELS LIKE A FLUTTER AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE HEARD THE 2016 YEAR GROUP HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BELIEVE A RECALL IS JUSTIFIED.

Jun 6, 2026 · Power train · fire reported

Without warning transmission overheated, blew out fluid and caught the front end of the vehicle on fire

Acadia model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 313558
2014 6463152
2015 424353
2016 423682
2017 4706102
2018 239881
2019 238862

Across all years, the 2008 Acadia has the most complaints (854). All GMC Acadia years →

Questions

Does the 2016 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 GMC Acadia, the most recent reported on May 10, 2023 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Acadia?
Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (130 complaints), followed by steering (26).
How many 2016 GMC Acadia complaints mention a crash or fire?
8 of 236 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 16 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 5, 2026.