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2013 GMC AcadiaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 135 owner complaints about the 2013 GMC Acadia, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-246 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.

2013 GMC Acadia
66
CarFlaw IndexSolid year49% below the Acadia median · #15 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 40%Owner complaints13517 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage65kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 GMC Acadia has problems

135 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system385
Air bags293
Power train271
Engine214
Exterior lighting100
Steering80
Electronic stability control (ESC)61
Vehicle speed control61
Fuel/propulsion system51
12 other systems255

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2013 GMC Acadia recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

40%repaired · 2023 Q1

Air bags: critical fasteners

Recall 21V-246 · Apr 8, 2021 · 108 vehicles · 43 repaired

Risk. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

87%repaired · 2015 Q4

Seat belts

Recall 14V-266 · May 20, 2014 · 1,339,355 vehicles · 1,170,021 repaired

Risk. If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

91%repaired · 2016 Q2

Air bags: side/window

Recall 14V-118 · Mar 17, 2014 · 1,176,407 vehicles · 1,065,180 repaired

Risk. Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

65kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 electrical system complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles20under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other Acadia year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Acadia median. How we score

'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2013 GMC Acadia safety ratings

2013 GMC Acadia SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2013 GMC Acadia, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable FailureEA20002 · closed Aug 30, 2024
    Led to recall 21V-245
  2. Seat Belt Anchor Cable FailureRQ19003 · closed Aug 31, 2020
    No recall
In owners' words

What Acadia owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Transmission causes problems in can be on interstate and be switching lanes and it loses power and wont go takes forever to shift out. It will cut out and you can barely get pulled off side of rd in time. Electrical the battery voltage goes crazy up and down causing vehicle to power surge bad or at…
Complaint 11749833 · Jul 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that intermittently, the vehicle was difficult to start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The…
Complaint 11649806 · Mar 21, 2025 · 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the vehicle was intermittently difficult to start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…
Complaint 11649804 · Mar 21, 2025 · 92,000 miles

Own a 2013 Acadia?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.