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2020 GMC Acadia Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2020 GMC Acadia carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering tires and fuel pump. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering assist reduced from coolant thermostat fault.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.

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6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

TIRES

Campaign #21V115000 · Feb 25, 2021

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #20V639000 · Oct 15, 2020

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.

Risk: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.

TIRES

Campaign #20V684000 · May 11, 2020

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.

Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

Campaign #20V446000 · Jul 30, 2020

Issue: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.

Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #22V709000 · Sep 22, 2022

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.

Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2020 GMC Acadia.

Reported to NHTSA

Steering assist reduced from coolant thermostat fault

STEERING

22 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2026-08

“While driving my 2020 GMC Acadia 3.6L V6, the Driver Information Center displayed the warning: "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive With Care" (SARDWC). Steering effort increased abruptly, the engine temperature gauge dropped to cold/zero, and the HVAC system lost air-conditioning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749841
“A common issue in GMC vehicles (particularly 2017–2020 Acadias) is a "Steering Assist Reduced" warning message triggered by a failed engine coolant thermostat that gets stuck open. This causes the engine to run too cold (P0128 code), causing the computer to reduce steering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736917
“My steering assist is reduced drive with care message is on. The AC is no longer working and the fan is constantly running and sounds horrible. The temperature gauge has not come off of cold. After researching this issue online-it looks like this is a constant problem with”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11529215

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power door lock and liftgate failure after water exposure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2022-11 → 2026-03

“After heavy rain or a carwash, the door locks and lift gate don't work from key fob. And the vehicle says no remote detected and has trouble starting. After a day or two they start working again. It caused U0422 (invalid data received from body control module). On forums it says”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11714468
“The vehicle’s lock/unlock feature is inoperable either via the buttons on the door inside the vehicle or via the key fob. There is no manual way to lock/unlock the vehicle from inside the vehicle. Driver and passengers could only exit vehicle via rear lift gate or thru the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493926
“The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the doors failed to open from outside the vehicle while using the key fob or while attempting to open the doors manually. The contact entered the vehicle from the rear hatch door and discovered that the door lock and”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11722524

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake engages unexpectedly

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2026-03

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MANUALLY RELEASED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. DEALER RUSTY WALLACE KIA LOCATED AT (300 KING AVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11315892
“On multiple occasions the car will suddenly brake or like throw on the parking brake and stop suddenly no warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11724282
“RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2020 ACADIA DENALI. WHEN PARKING AT ANY INCLINE THE PARKING BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY TURNS ON. DEALER IS NOT SURE WHY, BUT NO WHERE IN THE MANUAL DOES IT STATE THIS IS NORMAL. TO DISENGAGE BRAKE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE TO TURN OFF. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11282398

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shudder and shift-to-park failure

POWER TRAIN

16 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2026-03

“The torque converter in the transmission has been vibrating for over a year now. I can imagine it is causing more damage to the rest of the transmission. Now I can feel the shifting starting to get rough, loss of power, and dark transmission fluid. I had the problem confirmed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11722466
“My 2020 GMC Acadia has experienced significant transmission issues, including [slipping / shuddering / “Service Transmission” warnings / loss of drive]. The problem has been diagnosed as a torque converter/transmission failure. GM has acknowledged known defects and issued”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687173
“After driving 5 miles up the road and 5 miles back home, I put the vehicle in park and it automatically went into neutral and the neutral button started flashing! Along with that I got an alert sent to my iphone (through the GMC app) and in the car saying “shift to park”. The”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11475587

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera intermittent failure

BACK OVER PREVENTION

13 NHTSA complaints · 2022-07 → 2026-05

“Rear-View Camera Failure: The rear view camera functions intermittently. While in Reverse, the screen goes black, with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it. This SAFETY ISSUE increases risk of incidents resulting in injury and/or property damage while the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608328
“Backup camera continues to intermittently fail even after recall remedy was performed. When placing the car in reverse, the backup screen goes black with a warning symbol on the screen that the camera is not working. This has happened intermittently for the last couple years”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11592258
“Rear view camera stopped working as I was backing up and ran into a pole damaged my right rear wheel well and panel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500227

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Forward collision avoidance false activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2023-02

“While driving the vehicle goes into Automatic Braking. It has stopped me while I'm driving or it will make a loud scrubbing noise as if I've hit the brakes quickly. It has happened over 15 or more times. I've taken to dealership and they are not very responsive to check into the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11508507
“Twice this vehicle has exhibited this behavior. The collision avoidance system would flash a red warning on the HUD showing that a pedestrian was in front of the vehicle with the vehicle brakes 'hard' engaging causing the vehicle to 'nose dive' even though there was no”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11482891
“BRAND NEW VEHICLE. PURCHASED ON 10/30/2020. FRONT COLLISION KEEPS FLASHING A RED LIGHT IN THE TOP OF DASH THAT SHOWS UP IN WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AT RANDOM TIMES. WHEN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO STOP OR WARN YOU IT WILL NOT. IT WILL JUST LET YOU”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11383475

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump failure causing stall or no-start

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2024-07 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed at an intersection, the failure recurred, and the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11688919
“Once again (for the second time in a few months) the vehicle put me and my passenger in an extremely dangerous situation. We were driving down a 55mph country highway catching speed, somewhere around 45-50 mph and the car jerked so violently that it shook us even though we had”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11615054
“The car would not start. It would power on but would not turn over. We had it checked out by a mechanic who tested it and found that the fuel pump module was not operable. When he went to replace it, he found that the one he was removing was aftermarket so this issue had”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11601198

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Differential Fluid (front + rear)

Every 50,000 mi

Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

18 crashes 1990–2024

How the 18 occupant deaths break down

13

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

18

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2020 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2020 GMC Acadia reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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