[akincl]

To answer your question, NO! Like you, I've not owned a GMC before. My 2014 Acadia Denali AWD is my first GMC vehicle...and it will definitely be my last. You would think that a $50K plus vehicle would be well-built, but that is not my experience. I started having jerking problems with the transmission right away. It has 4500 miles on it, but is still experiencing the same problem. It's been to the GMC dealership service department several times, and I've contacted GMC, but because there are no codes associated with my acceleration/turning/transmission problems, they claim there is nothing that can be done. I've also had the seal/weather stripping replaced around one window and one large rubber strip that runs along the edge of the roof came off at the car wash (at about 3500 miles), so that had to be replaced too. The dealership service manager told me that the strips are not meant to stand up to high-pressure washing, and therefore I should avoid car washes that use high-pressure water sprays.

In the past I've owned a Honda Pilot and a Nissan Armada. The Honda was just too small for us and did not handle well in the winter. My Armada was fantastic, but was huge to drive and didn't get great gas mileage, so I decided to down size. I fell in love with the Acadia when I test drove it. However, with all of the problems it has, I'm experiencing buyer's remorse. If I were to do it over again, I would have purchased the Ford Explorer that I drove. It does not have the smooth ride that the Acadia does, but I would give up my smooth ride to have something more reliable. The Toyota Sequoia is another huge vehicle, but I know people who own them and love them. I test drove a Dodge Durango and liked it, but have never owned one, so can't give any advice on it. I also drove a Nissan Pathfinder, but found that it just seemed to small for our family.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[rbarrios]

Yes-- without a doubt-- would get another one.

 

[XRDreamliner]

I started having jerking problems with the transmission right away. It has 4500 miles on it, but is still experiencing the same problem. It's been to the GMC dealership service department several times, and I've contacted GMC, but because there are no codes associated with my acceleration/turning/transmission problems, they claim there is nothing that can be done.

Are you sure it's in the transmission? When does this jerking occur? How the idle, smooth, or does the needle jump or wander?

Don't be a fatalist... if you want the problem fixed, be very specific with the service writer/service manager about when the jerking occurs. What gear are you in, and what was the rpm? Going up or down a hill, or just cruising along on a flat road?

If this dealership is not giving you any satisfaction - go to a different dealer - Chevy, Buick, or GMC (doesn't matter, they will gladly take the re-imburse money from GM for the warranty fix).

Sounds to me like you have a mis-fire (and yes, you can have a mis-fire w/o setting a code). You could have a failed coil pack or spark plug, or even a faulty injector (having a failure so early is classified as "infant mortality", and it happens on domestic and foreign cars alike). But again, you'll have to describe the driving situation that produces the "jerkiness", to have a good chance at the proper diagnosis.

 

[nwacadia]

Gotta chime in here:

I've got a 2008 SLE, No Sunroof, no heated seats, no DVD system, cloth not leather and 2WD.

I've been kind of remiss that I didn't splurge for all of the extras but, in the long run I know I will be fine. I bought mine used and have had it for over 3 years! Overall i really love this thing it's great on gas, fun to drive, fun to look at, lots of comments from people that see you in it. The best part though is the kids love it. I have a blended family with 4 kids ages 6-12 and they love it, they love having windows that go ALL THE WAY DOWN! Space for all their stuff, plugs to charge their iPods.
We take it camping 1-2 times a year and it's great to travel in.

I've had a few growing pains with it but, most of them were covered under warranty. I will admit i'm hard on my Acadia and it puts up with all the abuse very well. So I have no complaints, I know what you mean about the stigma of the minivan but, all in all this is just a better rig.

Would I buy again, I'm torn but, I probably would but, next time with all the bells and whistles!!

 

[mama23]

I really appreciate everyone chiming in - it seems a toss up really & somewhat dependent on whether or not you get a vehicle that is more lemon-prone.

Honestly, I haven't even driven one yet - but will soon, as well as a Buick Enclave. We'll see if it goes any further than that. It just really seems like the right size for us & nothing else I'm coming across fits us as well. I suppose if we proceed, we might eventually purchase an extended warranty - something we never usually do, but might be a good investment in this case.

I guess it also matters what your relationship with the dealer is like and how much of a hassle it is to take care of things as they might present themselves.

 

[GerryL]

Nope, after 6 years of truly poor service experience, not necessarily overly poor reliability, but definitely sub par service department ethic and warranty experience, I'm shopping for a replacement. I tend to keep vehicles longer but the experience of being bounced around as dealers closed and just second rate service, has worn me out. Too many engineering flaws and there's too many expensive things that even the GM extended warranty won't cover. This is just one of five vehicles in our family but its the only one that I consider the manufacturer has failed me on. Next one will be either a CX9, MDX or maybe a Durango, as that V8 may be calling out to me. What I do know for sure is it won't be GM.

 

[akincl]

Are you sure it's in the transmission? When does this jerking occur? How the idle, smooth, or does the needle jump or wander?

Don't be a fatalist... if you want the problem fixed, be very specific with the service writer/service manager about when the jerking occurs. What gear are you in, and what was the rpm? Going up or down a hill, or just cruising along on a flat road?

If this dealership is not giving you any satisfaction - go to a different dealer - Chevy, Buick, or GMC (doesn't matter, they will gladly take the re-imburse money from GM for the warranty fix).

Sounds to me like you have a mis-fire (and yes, you can have a mis-fire w/o setting a code). You could have a failed coil pack or spark plug, or even a faulty injector (having a failure so early is classified as "infant mortality", and it happens on domestic and foreign cars alike). But again, you'll have to describe the driving situation that produces the "jerkiness", to have a good chance at the proper diagnosis.

Thanks for the advice, but I've already been doing most of what you mentioned. I've been talking with national GMC reps, as well as service managers, and various techs at my local dealership where I purchased the vehicle. As I said, it's been in the shop many times. The problem is that we can't consistently get the car to "jerk." I have been very specific with them, pinpointing mph, driving conditions, road conditions, even outdoor temperatures and the exact streets/corners where it usually happens. The dealership kept it overnight and one of the techs got the car to "jerk." However, they said they believe that it is a transmission programming error, and until GMC comes up with a software fix, they don't know how to fix it. GMC says that if they can't get any codes or get the car to consistently "jerk," they can't create any fixes. They just tell me it's no big deal and that it is safe to drive, and I should just keep driving it and let them know if it gets worse. Basically, here is what is happening: Sometimes when going approximately 35-40 mph on a flat, dry road, if I slow down to 10-20 mph to turn a corner, allow another car to turn, slow at a stoplight, etc. but do not make a complete stop, then I attempt to accelerate, the car's engine roars, but the car does not seem to shift as it should. I'm basically just "coasting" for several seconds and I can't accelerate. When it finally shifts, it really jerks/lurches forward. However it does not happen all the time. On average I notice it once or twice per week, but more often when temps are cold (below freezing). It also happens more frequently when I turn left. Another example is if I am coming up to a red light and slow down, but then the light turns green and I try to accelerate before coming to a complete stop. There is another thread on this forum on which other Acadia owners are expressing that they are experiencing similar issues. Believe me, I would love to find a solution to this!

 

[n813ca]

Love my 2014. Best vehicle I have owned ever...

 

[XRDreamliner]

Basically, here is what is happening: Sometimes when going approximately 35-40 mph on a flat, dry road, if I slow down to 10-20 mph to turn a corner, allow another car to turn, slow at a stoplight, etc. but do not make a complete stop, then I attempt to accelerate, the car's engine roars, but the car does not seem to shift as it should. I'm basically just "coasting" for several seconds and I can't accelerate. When it finally shifts, it really jerks/lurches forward. However it does not happen all the time. On average I notice it once or twice per week, but more often when temps are cold (below freezing). It also happens more frequently when I turn left. Another example is if I am coming up to a red light and slow down, but then the light turns green and I try to accelerate before coming to a complete stop. There is another thread on this forum on which other Acadia owners are expressing that they are experiencing similar issues. Believe me, I would love to find a solution to this!

Thanks for the explanation. There's an older bulletin that sounds like the issue, but I'm sure it doesn't apply to your 2014. However, maybe it can give your dealership something to consider.

PIP-4668 07/01/2009 10032891 Saturn/GMC/Chevrolet/Buick
Hesitation when accelerating during a right hand turn around 15mph; hesitation/delay/harsh shift around 40mph during 5-3-2 shift. this was improved for feel, but also for being too available; also relates to...

If all else fails, have them re-flash the TCM with the latest software (wouldn't be the 1st time re-loaded S/W would fix the issue), or...

Exercise the lemon-law clause and have GM buy back the Acadia.

 

[wecnews]

I'll weigh in.

We bought our acadia last May. Got a 2012 Acadia loaner car with only 4K miles on it in mid 2013.

It was our first "used" car  and our first American made car.

The wife was a honda/toyota girl before she married me  and we've had audi/volvo's since we've been together.

She had a Volvo XC90 which we sold, (to a family getting rid of their acadia lol)

She wanted the acadia because she wanted the 2nd row bucket seats and ability to walk to the third row but she "REFUSED TO DRIVE A MINIVAN"

Well now, a year later, she wants a new car.... a MINIVAN.

The acadia we ended up getting had a 2nd row bench instead of the buckets.  So she still wants that, and both her sisters now have minivans... an Odyssey and a Town & Country.

Once she saw the minivan space and ease, she begged me to trade in the acadia for a minivan.

I am making her sit through her decision a little while longer....  no financial gain trading in now... but we won't be getting another for a few other reasons


1) having been a foreign car family and a luxury car family the acadia controls are pretty bare bones.  I noticed our first road trip how the cruise control is "jerky" compared to any other car I've owned.  The buttons, switches, etc are lower quality and after about a month of my wife's excitement of her new car she admitted she missed her volvo and that this car felt "cheap"

2) gas mileage is pretty high for this SUV, especially for city driving. My wife stays home with kids, so she pretty much just drives to school, grocery, dance class, and back home. city driving in this suv is rough on gas. it does better on the highway, but still doesn't beat a minivan.  I drove my sister in law's town and country, and filled it up for her to thank her after she came in town to help up with the new baby, was impressed at the cost to fill up and her saying she was able to drive the 6.5 hours home on one tank and our acadia requires a refuel when we visit her.

3)  minivan's space out weighs the minivan stigma

4) we've had a few little small mechanical quirks....  a/c working on half the car and not the other half and fixing itself; brake pedal (not brakes, but actual pedal) squeaking and needing oiling over and over again; dvd player doesn't always engage, 

5) the wife is always right....  even when she isn't ;-)

It's a solid car I think, just has some fit and finish issues, and not a ton of space...  better than your pilot but i doubt it will be like your minivan.

If you have to lose the minivan, I think this is the way to go, but if you can keep it, well i would.

Hey you just wanna trade cars?  ;-)

 

[XRDreamliner]

4) we've had a few little small mechanical quirks.... a/c working on half the car and not the other half and fixing itself; brake pedal (not brakes, but actual pedal) squeaking and needing oiling over and over again;

- a/c problem is a blend-door actuator

- squeaky brake pedal is actually the master cylinder; the seal leaks, which causes some stiction and creates the squeak, upon application of the pedal. Have the master cylinder replaced - some fluid may also have migrated into the booster, so it might be replaced together with the master cylinder.

 

[wecnews]

yeah I'm not the mechanical type --- i bring to the dealer --- i tell them what it's doing.

they tell me they don't know....

 

[mama23]

If you have to lose the minivan, I think this is the way to go, but if you can keep it, well i would.

Hey you just wanna trade cars? ;-)

Not sure you'd want my 11year old minivan that has seen the likes of 3 babies turned into adult size kids & teenagers. Thats the trick of it - we keep cars a long time, so I need one that fits us all now, but not so big as they start to be gone more & more from our house, drive themselves, go to college etc...

The minivan was perfect when they were little, carseats & toddlers etc... but not quite as necessary now that they are all much older. I've definitely done my minivan mom thing, I'm just doing it less & less as they get older it seems.

 

[rbarrios]

The squeaky brake pedal may be as easy as refilling with Valvoline Syn brake fluid.

 

[akincl]

Thanks for the explanation. There's an older bulletin that sounds like the issue, but I'm sure it doesn't apply to your 2014. However, maybe it can give your dealership something to consider.

PIP-4668 07/01/2009 10032891 Saturn/GMC/Chevrolet/Buick
Hesitation when accelerating during a right hand turn around 15mph; hesitation/delay/harsh shift around 40mph during 5-3-2 shift. this was improved for feel, but also for being too available; also relates to...

If all else fails, have them re-flash the TCM with the latest software (wouldn't be the 1st time re-loaded S/W would fix the issue), or...

Exercise the lemon-law clause and have GM buy back the Acadia.

Thank you again for the advice. I think I am going to call a nearby Chevy dealership to see if they wouldn't mind discussing the issue with me, even though I did not purchase the vehicle from them. I'm going to take your comments and those of others along to see if they will consider those items as possible fixes. I've spoken with GM about the lemon law. They say it doesn't apply to me because they don't believe there is anything wrong with my vehicle. My next step is to ask for assistance from my lawyer. Thanks again!

 

[DSNY FN]

yep trying to decide on a 2015 slt1 or a Yukon in Nov when I get done law school.

 

[salguod]

Howdy. I'm a former 2010 Saturn Outlook (mechanically identical to the Acadia) owner who doesn't come around here much anymore since we traded ours, but I wandered by today and I thought I'd chime in on this one.

We went from an Odyssey to the Outlook to tow a camper. We loved the Outlook for how it towed and what you've found - the best combination of good looks, layout, space, capability and MPG. We traded ours simply because we were done camping and wanted better than the 17 MPG our Outlook averaged over 3 years. (We got a 2007 Prius Touring that has been great.)

If I was in your shoes, I'd get an Odyssey and snow tires or an AWD Sienna. From a practicality standpoint, nothing beats a minivan for most people. It's understandable, however, to want out of the minivan. They aren't stylish or appealing, but man are they practical.

I'd stay away from the Lamdas, if you're expecting long term trouble free driving. They are among the worst in most surveys. There were several anecdotes from reliability surveys in this thread, here are some facts from a couple of them. Consumer reports put them on their "Cars to avoid" list. Oddly, only the Acadia and Outlook made that list even though the Enclave and Traverse are mechanically identical. Also, take a look at the stats on True Delta as well - not encouraging. Note that the 2014 is nearly the worst numerically and is the worst when compared with other models of the same year, contrary to the idea mentioned that this seasoned Lambda platform ought to be much better built by now.

If, however, you love the design and can take the risk of some trouble down the road, as I said they are great vehicles from an all around design anc capability standpoint.

 

[Carbon Black]

Quick answer no

Does another vehicle (other than the other lambdas) have the same desirable features. Nope.

An extra 50 bucks at the engineering stage could have made this vehicle amazing by not clouding this reality with the significant reliability woes. This coupled with a poor warranty dealer experiences sealed the deal not to purchase he again. So close yet so far

I just wish gm had finally gotten it right this time. "Trice" bitten by horribly flawed major component engineering.

 

[William Morris]

I would never again buy a GM product. I had a 2004 pilot that my wife drove for 9 years and put over 260,000 miles on it. The transmission finally gave out so we sold it and bought a 2009 GMC Acadia with 86,000 miles on it. The Acadia has been nothing but trouble since we got it and now with 104,000 miles and barely out of warranty the transmission is out. General Motors corporation has been no help at all. Stick with Honda and Toyota, they know how to build vehicles.

 

[revalations]

I would never again buy a GM product. I had a 2004 pilot that my wife drove for 9 years and put over 260,000 miles on it. The transmission finally gave out so we sold it and bought a 2009 GMC Acadia with 86,000 miles on it. The Acadia has been nothing but trouble since we got it and now with 104,000 miles and barely out of warranty the transmission is out. General Motors corporation has been no help at all. Stick with Honda and Toyota, they know how to build vehicles.

Not my Toyota, our 2011 Venza was far and away the most troublesome vehicle I've owned, and that brought an end to my 20 years of buying Toyotas. So far so good with the Acadia (1.5 years now) though we moved up to a 2015 Yukon (which I love btw) the Acadia is staying in the family as I sold it to a relative. I will keep posting it's good's and bad's as it will be around for the long haul.