2008 was a bad year for the GMC Acadia due to common transmission and power steering failure problems, malfunctioning windshield wipers, and faulty airbags, which led GM to recall the 2008 model five times.
Key Points
- The 2008 GMC Acadia has five recalls and over 800 owner complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over engine stalls, electrical glitches, and power steering assist failure.
- Three of the Acadia’s recalls pertain to faulty windshield wipers that may fail and a heated windshield washer module that can short circuit and spark a fire.
- Another serious recall is focused on side-impact airbags that may not deploy in a crash due to bad wiring.
- The 2008 GMC Acadia’s most common problem is transmission failure occurring below the 100,000-mile mark.
- Several 2008 Acadia owners have also mentioned the power steering assist going out intermittently while in motion, causing hazardous situations.
2008 GMC Acadia was Recalled Five Times Over Faulty Windshield Wipers, Malfunctioning Airbags, and Failing Liftgate Struts
According to the NHTSA, GM recalled the 2008 Acadia five times over problems with the windshield wipers, airbags, and liftgate struts.
The most serious of the recalls are for a problem with the 2008 GMC Acadia’s airbags. Improper wiring may prevent the driver and passenger side-impact airbags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying in a crash.
GM also recalled the 2008 Acadia twice over a faulty module that controls the heated windshield washer. The unit is prone to short circuit and potentially ignite a fire.
Another recall addresses windshield wipers that may become inoperative due to a buildup of snow or ice on the windshield that causes the wipers to detach from the motor, resulting in reduced visibility.
Also, 2007 GMC Acadias equipped with the optional power liftgate feature may find that the gas struts wear out prematurely, possibly causing an open liftgate to fall and strike a person.
Many 2008 GMC Acadia Owners Have Complained About Transmission Failure Occurring Before 100,000 Miles
Car Complaints dubbed 2008 the worst model year for the Acadia, mainly due to widespread transmission failures.
The 400 powertrain-related complaints registered with the NHTSA predominantly echo transmission problems, too. The issue generally happens around 86,000 miles, according to reports.
Owners have said that their Acadia started shuddering, making a whining noise, or slipping gears without any prior issue. But by the time they noticed these transmission problems, it was already too late, and they needed to swap the transmission system with a new one.
“While driving the transmission suddenly decided to quit shifting,” says one owner in a post on Car Complaints. “Somehow when turning the car off and turning it back on, the problem fixes itself for a little while. Mechanic said we will have to replace entire transmission for $3,700.”
Some of the owners were lucky enough to have the transmission replaced under warranty, but many had to spend almost $4,000 to have their 2008 Acadia up and running again.
Power Steering Assist Failure and Headlamps Going Out Intermittently Have Put Some 2008 Acadia Drivers in Hazardous Situations
Out of over 800 NHTSA consumer complaints, an eighth of them pertain to dangerous steering problems. Reportedly, the power steering assist deactivates intermittently, making it difficult to turn the vehicle.
“My wife almost went up the curb and on the sidewalk; she can’t muscle it, and I struggle to muscle it,” says one owner about trying to steer his 2008 Acadia after the power steering assist failed.
Owners on the Acadia Forum report power steering failure in mileages as low as 42,000. Some drivers have managed to diagnose and get rid of the issue by replacing the power steering rack and pinion.
Almost 500 owners of the 2008 Acadia complained about a loss of headlamp illumination, indicating the unit was prone to overheating. NHTSA opened an investigation in 2012 to address this issue, but GM hasn’t recalled the Acadia for anything related to the headlamps yet.
“The daytime/low-beam headlight on the driver’s side went out and I replaced it, and three months later the passenger side went out and I replaced it,” says one owner in another Acadia Forum thread. “Fast forward three months and the driver’s side went out again, and the passenger-side worked intermittently for about a week.”
2008 GMC Acadia’s Severe Problems, Including Transmission Troubles and Power Steering Failure, Make it an SUV Buyers May Want to Avoid
A high number of owner complaints across the internet indicate that 2008 was arguably the most problematic model year of the GMC Acadia.
The 2008 Acadia is priced around $7,460 to $9,236 on Kelley Blue Book. But if you’re in the market for a used midsize SUV, a 2008 Nissan Xterra or a 2008 Honda Pilot could offer much better reliability within the same price range.
Photos: GMC
