The 2011 GMC Acadia’s biggest concerns are few and far between, with no single complaint registering more than 60 reports with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Add to that, perfect safety scores with the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and you’ve got a solid used SUV.
Key Points
- The 2011 GMC Acadia is one of the safer and more dependable used SUVs on the road today, with just five recalls, one investigation, and just over 260 complaints on file with the NHTSA.
- The most common consumer complaints and recalls involve liftgates that could unexpectedly fall and seat belts that may not properly restrain occupants.
- The airbags have been recalled twice, but a handful of complaints have been registered since those recalls.
- Over 60 complaints report steering wheel lockup, but there have been no recalls for the matter.
- Annual maintenance costs are a bit high, at just over $800 on average, but that’s to be expected for a luxury SUV.
A Major Recall for Seat Belts was Issued for the 2011 GMC Acadia, Owing to Premature Wear and Tear
The 2011 GMC Acadia was included in a recall for more than one million GMC units for a problem concerning the seat belts. In affected units, the steel cable connecting the seat belt to the car was liable to fatigue and separate over time, sort of like a guitar string snapping after awhile.
Among various Buick, Chevrolet, and Saturn nameplates, the recall covered a wide range of Acadias. The fix involved inspection and replacement of any faulty seat belt cable.
Since the recall was launched, there have been four complaints and an investigation into the vehicle’s seat belts.
So far, nobody has reported total seat belt failure in a 2011 Acadia. But one driver complains that the seat belt cable is uncomfortable, and another was having trouble getting the replacement part. All but one of these complaints was registered in 2014, so the matter might be settled.
The 2011 GMC Acadia Has Been Subject to Two Airbag Recalls, But a Handful of Complaints Continue to Roll in
The 2011 GMC Acadia’s airbags have generated 23 complaints and two recalls. The first recall was issued in 2014 for over one million units, including 2008-2013 Acadias, plus a number of Traverses, and Saturn Outlooks.
The concern here was excess resistance in the side-impact airbag wiring connections, potentially resulting in the airbags failing to deploy in the event of an accident. This problem could also see the seat belt pretensioner failing to engage.
The second and final recall for the 2011 Acadia’s airbags was issued for just 108 units in 2021 over a problem with the side curtain airbags not properly attached, and thus they can’t be relied on to deploy properly.
In the complaints department, the most recent report was issued in fall 2021, with the driver claiming that the airbags did not deploy following a collision with a deer. Complaints since the initial recall have been sparse.
Steering Wheel Lockup May Be the Most Common Issue for 2011 Acadia Owners But Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Recall
Steering is the leading cause of complaints for 2011 GMC Acadia owners, with 61 complaints on file. The complaints mostly point to a single issue: the power steering has a tendency to lock up, making it impossible, or at least very difficult, to turn the wheel.
One driver reports that the wheel will lock up for a few seconds at a time before becoming very loose. Some drivers report that the wheel will shake and rattle uncontrollably while driving at highway speeds. The specifics may vary, but the broad pattern remains the same: the steering becomes very stiff at random.
Thus far, there have been no recalls for the vehicle’s steering, and there have been no investigations into the matter. This means that drivers have been left to cover the problem through their warranty or out of pocket.
Unfortunately, the car is now over a decade old, and will be out of warranty by now. This means that if your steering goes haywire, it’s on you to pay for the damages. Rate of incidence is thankfully pretty low, but all the same, make sure to check the steering when test-driving a used 2011 Acadia.
The 2011 GMC Acadia’s Biggest Issues are Few and Far Between, Making it a Smart Used SUV Purchase
The 2011 GMC Acadia has remarkably few problems for a car that’s already more than 10 years old. The vehicle has just five recalls, one investigation, and just over 260 complaints. For a vehicle averaging more than 150,000 miles on the odometer, that’s not bad.
You can add this low rate of incidence to the Top Safety Pick award the car was granted by the IIHS, and the five-star crash test rating awarded by the NHTSA.
If you’re looking for a used SUV with a little extra bit of style and comfort, you could do a lot worse than a 2011 GMC Acadia. Finding one at a great price and with low mileage on the odometer might be easier said than done, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for one in good condition.
Photos: GMC
