2011 GMC Acadia Review: Bad Year For The Expensive SUV With Failing Engines

Alex Showalter
Mar 10, 2022

The 2011 Acadia only lasts around 150,000 miles due to engine failures. At $9,213 – 12,130, it’s not worth the money since the problems are costly to fix.

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likeFilled The Good
Interior materials are high quality, there’s a lot of passenger space and safety scores are excellent.
dislikeFilled The Bad
Mechanical problems are very common, they’re expensive to own long-term and visibility is poor with the design of the pillars.

Is the 2011 GMC Acadia a Good Used SUV?

  • No, the 2011 Acadia is a year to avoid. We have received a lot of negative owner reviews about engine failures, leaking sunroofs, and high ownership costs.
  • Reliability ratings are poor because of engine problems, avoid models from 20082012. The 2013 and newer models have fewer problems, unfortunately, prices are nearly $7,000 higher.
  • One decently powerful V6 engine is available given the SUV’s size.
  • Fuel economy is okay at up to 19 mpg combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Amy K
2011 GMC Acadia Denali- excellent vehicle!
I love my GMC Acadia Denali! It has all the features and technology I was looking for; big radio computer screen, heads up display, captains chairs that easily fold down to access the third row, and automatic lift gate! I have owned the car since march and have had no problems with it!
accountCircle Susan P
Best of everything in one vehicle.
Totally reliable, comfortable on short and long rides. Radio speakers are Boise and awesome. I love everything there is on this SUV. Plenty of room for driver and passengers alike. Super smooth ride and easy handling. Wouldn't trade it for the world.
accountCircle Stephanie C
Denali perfect for a big family.
The HUD is very helpful. There is ample seating for my family of 6 to be comfortable. I did have a flat tire, the tires are expensive, at least $150. The spare tire is stored under the rear of the vehicle. My kids love the DVD player on long car rides. The heated and cooled front seats are amazing during the winter and summer.
accountCircle Meaghan F
Great leather seats, three row seating, lots of extra controls.
Love this car. Perfect for growing families, so much room haul things. Very comfortable and reliable. Love the three row seating can fit everyone in, will grow great with my family over the years. Haven't had any issues with it so far. Great choice if you need something with a lot of room and space for kids.
accountCircle Dorothy B
Denali- the vehicle with more power but less money to invest in an automobile!
I own a 2011 GMC Acadia. I personally picked this particular vehicle based upon gas mileage, color and engine size. My Acadia has a navigation system, DVD player, every bell and whistle I could want in a vehicle. I get 33 miles per gallon of gasoline. The engine never leaves me wishing for more power. I adore the Denali package and I would gladly recommend them to anyone. And I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Acadia in the future.
accountCircle Lee R
GMC Acadia is a great SUV/crossover.
City driving I get about 16mpg and highway 20mpg. The v6 motor has a lot of power. The body is holding up well. AWD is amazing. You could fit 7 passengers. 4 adults and 3 kids comfortably. The 3rd row flips down so there is a lot of cargo room. I have not had any major issues.
accountCircle Melissa H
It has heated seats, DVD players, captains seats, backup camera, sensors, third row seating!
It is a safe and reliable car. It handles great in the snow
accountCircle LeAnn M
It has been a very reliable car. It drives well and has plenty of room!
I love the way my car drives. It has a lot of room. I love that I can haul large items, but still feels small in a parking lot. It has a lot of power, which I love! I haven't had any problems and I am almost at 100,000 miles.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Holly H
Good SUV for a larger family.
I purchased this car used so that may be part of the reason I do not care for it. My biggest issue with it is how loud it is. It is also very bumpy. It is not a smooth ride at all which I have had in previous SUV's. The brakes are squeaky from the inside even after they were repaired.
accountCircle Kitty W
Buyer be aware of leaking sunroof.
I have had nothing but problems w my vehicle, starting w a leaking sunroof which in turn caused electrical problems. Which then caused the entire fuse block to become bad n need to be replaced. Now I am at a point where a body control module now needs to be replaced because the right blinker won't work and the windows in the back won't roll down. Only after buying the car did I become aware of others w the same problems of the leaking sunroof as well so please be aware.
accountCircle Liv
Engine
I WOULD NOT RECCOMEND THIS VEHICLE!!!! I purchased this vehicle and found out there were a ton of issues. Starting with the starter, alternator and then the battery. The engine light came on and was advise to change the sensors. There were 6 to 8 sensors changed since purchase. The latest problem is engine power reduced. After reading some reviews they mentioned they changed all of the sensors and then was advise to replace the motor.
accountCircle Rita O
2011 GMC Acadia known for running hot engine blow.
Engine problems it is a well known issue for these models. Burns hot at all times, cooling and ac problems are on going problems that cost $1000’s to repair. High mileage due to it being a family vacation vehicle every year. Tires are also large for the vehicle and are very expensive to replace.
accountCircle Judy J
Do not buy!! Total lemon!
Has 48, 000 on it and it has ignoring squeaky noise when making any turns. Brakes also squeak and cannot be fixed. Was told this was common complaint from thousands of owners but no recall made. Would require replacing rack and piñon at owners cost!! Never again will I purchase a GMC product!
accountCircle Cherie N
This car does not feel safe.
There were many recalls on this vehicle. There were multiple issues from the back hatch trunk not operating, to the air conditioning not working properly (had to be reworked) and many airbags recall. Currently the back up camera just stopped working.
accountCircle Kim J
GMC Acadia great suv to drive
Lots of comfort it has 3 seats..very reliable.. Not so great at gas mileage runs good. Would drive it anywhere. I like the all wheel drive.
accountCircle Laura J
Good car if it is not a lemon.
I bought my car used and it had several problems that were hidden from me. A leak in the windshield caused the phone charger to stop working. The ac doesn't blow as hard as I think it should. The seats are much lower quality than other similar vehicles. For the price, though, it is a good car. Love the third row seat for my kids.

What Do Critics Say About the Acadia?

  • Consumer Reports finds the Acadia to have a quiet interior, but incredibly low owner satisfaction ratings.
  • Edmunds rates the Acadia 3.5/5 and likes the passenger and cargo space, but finds visibility to be very poor.
  • Kelley Blue Book experts give the Acadia a 3.5/5 with a usable interior for families, but do not like all-wheel-drive system.

What Problems Does the 2011 GMC Acadia Have?

Problems with the 2011 Acadia include engine failures, melted lights, and power steering noises.

Engine failures are the most common problem showing up at around 85,000 miles. The engine suddenly loses power and the only solution is a complete replacement costing over $7,000.

Melting running lights is another complaint from owners at around 72,000 miles. The housing the running lights sit in is weak and melts with the heat of the bulbs. A new set of running lights is about $1,000.

Excessive steering noise is another frequent issue at around 55,000 miles. The problem is usually caused by a worn-out power steering gear. Replacing the assembly costs around $1,500.

There are five recalls including windshield wiper arm nuts, airbags, seat belt cables, and liftgate struts. The most serious recall is for the seat belt cable, which increases the risk of an injury during a crash.

How Long Will the 2011 GMC Acadia Last?

A properly cared for 2011 GMC Acadia will last about 150,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles shorter than more reliable competitors like the Highlander. Maintenance costs are extremely high at $829 per year, according to Repair Pal.

As an Acadia reaches 100,000 miles, owners should prepare for services including ABS control modules for $675, airbag clock springs costing $350, and oxygen sensors which cost $425.

accountCircle Margaret G

I sincerely believe that proper maintenance avoids vehicle problems. I have owned my SUV for over 6 years. The computer will forewarn me before a problem exists. I have had no issues with my vehicle at all.

accountCircle Cynthia P

My Acadia is super reliable. No major problems, only the usual that any vehicle would have. I would love to have another Acadia when it's time.

accountCircle Sasha C

Very reliable! Very well made! Safe and affordable! I coach my child softball team and is a great car for games and going away for tournaments!

accountCircle Emily G

It has had the a/c replaced twice, a fan blower twice in the same spot, and the strut needs replacing and the sunroof has come off track.

accountCircle Erin M

The GMC was hard to get used to especially because of the sensitivity to my former car. The brake pedal and the turning are sensitive.

accountCircle Crystal B

I have had zero issues with my Acadia. It is very reliable. We do routine oil changes, brakes, and tires.

accountCircle April N

Yes it is reliable. It's just that it is not very fuel efficient. It uses a lot of fuel for a small distance.

How Much is the 2011 GMC Acadia Worth?

Blue book prices range from $9,213 – 12,130 making the Acadia more expensive than a Pathfinder or CX-7. When new, the price range was $32,000 to $45,380. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Acadia?

The Acadia comes in four main models with luxury increasing as you go up the lineup. Technology is okay with no advanced features and a minor update coming in 2013.

SL is the entry-level model with:

  • 18-inch Alloy Wheels
  • Cloth Seating
  • Cruise Control
  • Power Windows and Locks
  • AM/FM/CD Stereo System With Six Speakers

SLE is a step up adding features including:

  • Power Liftgate
  • Eight-way Power Front Seats
  • Remote Start
  • Fog Lights
  • Bluetooth Connectivity

SLT is a popular choice adding features such as:

  • 19-inch Alloy Wheels
  • Leather Seating
  • Tri-sone Climate Control
  • Heated Front Seats
  • 10-speaker Bose Stereo System

Denali is the luxury-focused model offering:

  • 20-inch Chrome Wheels
  • Xenon Headlights
  • Premium Leather Seating
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Ventilated Front Seats

Is the GMC Acadia a Safe SUV?

Safety ratings are great, earning a perfect five-star rating in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award, but there are no advanced features available.

  • Standard safety features include OnStar, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and airbags.
  • A rearview camera is the only optional feature.
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What Engines Come in the Acadia?

Only one reasonably powerful 3.6L V6 engine is available with 288 horsepower. Performance is okay, but not exciting, taking 7.7 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

What Colors Does the Acadia Come in?

How Big is the Acadia?

The 2011 Acadia is similar in size to other midsize SUVs including the Grand Cherokee and Pilot. Passenger room is excellent, and the optional captain’s chairs in the second row offer a combination of luxury and comfort.

Cargo space is exceptional with 24 cu. ft. of room behind the third row, 68.7 with the third row flat, and up to 115.9 cu. ft. with all folded flat.

Centered wide dash shot

How Does the Acadia Compare to the Competition?

One of the highest-rated competitors is the more expensive Toyota Highlander. Where the Highlander stands out is with better reliability and technology, but the Acadia is roomier. We recommend a Highlander since they last so much longer.

Another competitor is the slightly more expensive Honda Pilot. The Pilot offers more technology, but interior materials are better in the Acadia. Overall, the Pilot is a better choice with fewer issues.

Ranks #19 Midsize SUV by Owners

1
car
4.82
2
car
4.71
19
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4.2

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Riddler on June 26, 2022
NIGHTMARE!!
DO NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE!! It's a total nightmare. There is something always wrong with it... Emissions is a freaking headache, Change CATS, O2's and had it FLASHED..and still have codes. I believe the manufacturer was always aware of this lemon and still pushed it into the market. I will never purchase another GMC product again.
accountCircle Connor B on June 16, 2021
GMC Acadia is an outstanding car.
The performance of the GMC Acadia is outstanding. The car has lasted a long time and I have never had any problems with it. The seats are very comfy and it also comes with seat warmers which is a plus. It even has two sunroofs which is pretty cool. And the radio is very nice.
accountCircle Holly H on June 15, 2021
Good SUV for a larger family.
I purchased this car used so that may be part of the reason I do not care for it. My biggest issue with it is how loud it is. It is also very bumpy. It is not a smooth ride at all which I have had in previous SUV's. The brakes are squeaky from the inside even after they were repaired.
accountCircle Lindsey P on June 12, 2021
Review for my GMC Acadia.
Love the size and ability to have 3 car seats! Good trunk space and versatility. SUV has not had any problems or breakdowns so far. Love being able to put the third row down for extra room for trips or hauling larger items. Wish the gas mileage was higher but it is better than other vehicles. Love the red color and third row seating.
accountCircle Evelyn A on June 4, 2021
Love my GMC Acadia. Very spacious.
It burns a lot of oil. I have to put oil before the next oil change. It is very comfortable and spacious. I have three row seating and my kids love the car. A lot fits in the trunk and I can put down the third row and I have a lot more space. It drives very good. Normal oil change and tire change and breaks. The only thing I have replaced is the front shocks because they broke but I bought them myself and paid someone to put them for me and it was cheap.
accountCircle Crys C on June 1, 2021
Life with my super handy GMC Acadia.
I love my GMC Acadia it is spacious, has DVD player for children and I love the flexible trunk space. The only thing is that be prepared to spend a lot on gas. I call my GMC a miniature semi truck! It is big and bulky but it is amazing if you have children or want to start a family! I am still finding out things about the back seat cup holders that also turns into a little cubby that you can use for the remote and headphones. I am still trying to figure out how to lift the seats completely up in the second row so I can properly clean. So I wish it was easier to do that.
accountCircle Brianne R on May 27, 2021
Information on 2011 GMC Acadia.
Love having leather seats, 3 rows with middle captain seats. Plenty of room for storage of gas mileage, better of course on highways very safe vehicle to drive in all conditions. Backup camera works great tows small trailers well as long as the load is not too heavy.
accountCircle Michael F on May 26, 2021
2011 Acadia. Decent midsize SUV but lacks long term reliability.
Not great gas mileage. Loud engine. Decent space for family of 6 while still room for storage. Quite a few mechanical issues since hitting 100,000 miles. Multiple windows need to be open in order to not make a vibrating noise in the cabin of the vehicle.
accountCircle Mattie E on May 20, 2021
Acadia seating and cargo.
Very roomy and comfortable. I like that it has 3rd row seating or the back seats all fold down for cargo room, also the satellite radio is nice. The only major issues we have had was with the front end, other than that just regular wear and tear upkeep.
accountCircle keshia H on May 16, 2021
The car in general is a good car even with the few problems it came with.
Since we got the car we have found some problems on it. At first the ac wasn't working, some parts of the car were old so we needed to change that. But our kids like the car. It has TV in it which I like. The seats warm up in the front. It has a backup camera. In general is a good car even with the problems it came with.
accountCircle Brittnee L on May 16, 2021
It has room for growing family.
I absolutely love my Acadia it has been an amazing car for my family. We haven't really had any problems with it that couldn’t be fixed right away, it fits all my family and then some. It is a very reliable car. It keeps us safe especially during winter times.
accountCircle Amber C on May 16, 2021
Love/hate relationship with my Acadia.
Engine sputters at 45 mph. Cannot seem to figure out what is going on. Also now there seems to be a wrong issue and passenger side headlights are not functioning. Also resistors for the ac have been on the fritz for forever and seem to cost an arm and leg to fix. Love the heated seats. And power liftgate. Easy to control and great gas mileage. Have used it to teach 3 teenagers how to drive. Always feel safe when I am in it.
accountCircle Amanda S on May 5, 2021
Spacious enough for a family of 5!
My Acadia is very nice. I love the leather interior, heated/ ac seats, dual sunroofs, and rubber mats. The Acadia is spacious enough for our family of 5. We got comfortably in there even on long trips. The main reason I chose the Acadia was the cargo space. I loved that it was the size of a crossover, had plenty of room for my family, and had the largest amount of cargo space. Some things I do not like are the tires wear quicker in the front inside area. So you need to rotate them often. The transmission is common for messing up in the Acadians. I have had to do some work on that within a few years of owning it.
accountCircle Ds K on April 19, 2021
A bitter sweet conversation.
My vehicle started out as a good reliable vehicle. Until the computer went out and the vehicle started when it wanted to. The cost is nearly $1000. But it's better than having to purchase another vehicle. I'll just be happy to get my car back and for it to work again like before!
accountCircle Susan F on April 12, 2021
Some features not in the current model is the head’s up display.
This car has been extremely reliable in the last 9 years I have had it. I have 95,000 miles on it. While it does not have the most updated features, it does have a GPS, backup camera, Bluetooth phone, and USB port for media. My favorite feature not in the current model is a head’s up display that shows your speed.
accountCircle Kayla D on April 9, 2021
Acadia is a wonderful family vehicle with plenty of space.
I love the leather seats and the convenience of bucket seats with third row! The other wonderful thing is the dvd player! It is a good vehicle the only thing about this year is that when I get something fixed something else goes wrong with it. But I feel safe in this vehicle!
accountCircle MELINDA B on March 21, 2021
Great for space and kids!!
Space and good features. Good sound system and great for toting kids. Good safety measures the radio stopped working which stinks. I have the space. Have taken on several trips and it does great. We are good with maintenance so have never had any issues.
accountCircle Ashley F on March 11, 2021
Nice, roomy, spacious, comfortable.
Electronics do not work well, roomy, comfortable. I like it because there is enough room for my 5 person family. Plus the dogs. We travel a lot so it is nice and spacious. My kids pick their own seats with room to spare. Lots of room in the back for my sons big hockey bag and hockey items.
accountCircle Judy J on March 6, 2021
Do not buy!! Total lemon!
Has 48, 000 on it and it has ignoring squeaky noise when making any turns. Brakes also squeak and cannot be fixed. Was told this was common complaint from thousands of owners but no recall made. Would require replacing rack and piñon at owners cost!! Never again will I purchase a GMC product!
accountCircle Stacey K on February 25, 2021
It handles great in bad weather. It is extremely comfortable, and my kids love the temperature control in the back.
It is very spacious and can fit all of my kids and their friends. I love the rear camera for when I'm backing out. It makes me feel safe.
accountCircle Drequan G on February 24, 2021
GMC Acadia features and great things.
I have absolutely have no problems with my GMC Acadia, and it is very reliable for going on trips and long rides. My vehicle comfort is great because it has a DVD player, the seats warm up, also the car will start up by itself. I'll say it is great for moving and stuff because you can hook up a trailer behind it.
accountCircle william T on February 24, 2021
The best thing about the car I think is the space in the back.
The GMC Acadia Denali is actually a very nice car I have a 2011. It has not many problems the only problem I have had with it was a radio problem were you cannot hear any sound out of it but it was fixed. The car features two screens one in the back one in the front also a navigation map. The front screen is a touch screen where you can click on what you need. The car is pretty comfortable has a lot of space in the back overall it is a good car.
accountCircle Courtney J on February 22, 2021
GMC Acadia not worth the price.
Have a lot of electrical issues that I have to constantly take in to get fixed. I wish it was more spacious inside does not seem to have a lot of legroom for anyone in second row. I will not buy this again as I prefer a different brand after driving this for a while.
accountCircle Stella O on February 21, 2021
My GMC is the best car ever!
Right now it doesn't start after filling gas so I am a little upset because is very embarrassing, right now I have plans to send it to a mechanic to get it fixed. Otherwise this car has served a lot of purpose and have no complaints. It really runs well and I have no complaints
accountCircle Paul B on February 18, 2021
Luxury feel without the accompanying price tag.
I love my 2011 Acadia purchased in 2015. A few minor issues with the rear liftgate hydraulic system failing and headlamp malfunctions. Great performance especially on long distance trips. The seats are very comfortable and the climate controls are reliable.
accountCircle Brianna M on February 18, 2021
I truly love how the back seats fold down flat so I have more room if I need it.
I think it is a great car, especially if you are a parent. There is so much room when you go to get groceries or need to move bigger items and don't have a truck. The 2 rows in the back fold down and give you just that much more space. I had this vehicle before kids and it is great with kids. I highly recommend this vehicle. There is all the space and it is still a medium sized vehicle, so it's not like you are driving a big vehicle.
accountCircle Kelly B on February 13, 2021
It has third row seating.
It is a small size SUV with third row seating and heated leather seats. It has been very reliable so far and it is convenient for when my kids have friends in the car. I live in the northern part of the u. S so winter is a big season for us. It performs well in the winter and I don't have to worry much about safety.
accountCircle Jennifer E on February 9, 2021
My opinion of the Acadia 2011.
I needed a bigger car because I gave birth to twins and 2 other daughters through my marriage. I like the way the Acadia looks on the outside and the way in looks on the inside. I like the back up the camera it helps me to pull out of a parking spot without hitting anything. I like that the back passenger seats have access to control their own air and heater. The one thing I do not like about the Acadia is it was really hard to find the battery it is located in the backseat flooring which is an odd place for the car battery. Also it was hard to find where the gas pump opener is its not on the inside it's on the outside.
accountCircle Abby G on February 8, 2021
All in all pretty good for 8 years old, just a few small glitches.
It is pretty good. It has a few glitches, though. It has always had a really hard time starting in the cold. The gas pedal can all of a sudden get stuck, causing uncontrolled acceleration for a second. It sometimes makes strange noises. Additionally, the dashboard lights often come on, and when I bring it to the dealer, they cannot find anything wrong.
accountCircle Brittany T on February 6, 2021
GMC Acadia! Great vehicle!
My GMC Acadia has been wonderful! I love the size. I can haul my kids and their friends with no problems! My air conditioner is currently not working but should be no problem to get fixed. Great vehicle! I love the leather seats, DVD player, moonroof, and drives great!
accountCircle Nancy F on February 2, 2021
Not in love with my Acadia.
Unfortunately, our car was hit by another car in 2014,. Since then the car has had one problem after another. The passenger side window can only be operated by the switch on the passenger side. The back seat window on driver side sometimes will not roll up. Engine light went on, so we took it in for service. Even after replacing the timing belt and engine, the engine light did not go off.
accountCircle Ellen I on January 28, 2021
Insurance is not as high as you may think.
I love that my vehicle has second row captain seats. It also has a lot of other great features; one touch hatch open, rear DVD player, rear air, separate heat/air controls for driver and passenger. It has tons of room and the color is luxurious. Love it.
accountCircle Linda D on January 25, 2021
Can not tell if it is a lemon or a star?
At first it had a bunch of recalls. I also had steering column issues. Since then it runs well and is spacious
accountCircle Lydia M on January 24, 2021
Great family vehicle for big families.
I have four kids and love how spacious the car is! There is room for the whole family with room. I have had the car for two years and have had no real problems. The gas mileage is what I would expect for an SUV type car and the tank holds around 20 gallons.
accountCircle Andrew B on January 19, 2021
This is a very good family vehicle.
It is a very reliable car. It fits 3 kids very comfortably and still have lots of room to store things for longer drives. Heated seats are a very nice thing to have in the winter months. The GMC Acadia is easy to work on and there are a lot of videos on the internet to help you along the way.
accountCircle Brenda S on January 17, 2021
It's very roomy...if you have kids it's perfect for packing up and going to parks or beaches, or wherever your family enjoys going.
I love the space we have inside the vehicle. The ride is smooth. And I live the look of the vehicle.
accountCircle Tiffany L on January 12, 2021
The speedometer is on windshield as well as normal spot.
I have heard a common problem is air conditioning going out in these vehicles. I love everything about this car, and if given chance for new one of same car I probably would turn down because I love this body style so much. This is a great car! Just as good as Denali.
accountCircle Leanne H on January 8, 2021
Fun and comfortable car to drive around town and on long trips
The GMC Acadia Denali has a very eye catching exterior. I have a 2011 but it looks brand new. The heated and cooled front seats are wonderful. The leather interior is very sharp, and I love how comfortable the seats are. I've never had any trouble with this vehicle. Both front and rear air con works great. There is more cargo room in this vehicle than I had in a previous full size SUVs. It's so much fun to drive. We enjoy the dual sunroofs.
accountCircle Kari K on January 6, 2021
I love tube color and the way it drives.
I love my car. The radio and camera are a nice touch. 3rd row seating car seat warmers it's great. It has comfortable seating it has two sunroofs only one of those open though two bucket seats and 3 seats in the back yes yes love love it I love the headlights they are so new looking.
accountCircle Rebecca G on January 5, 2021
Good driving car with no issues. Love that seats 7 with no problem.
I haven't had any issues with the vehicle other than having to get the fuel pump replaced. The ac needs. Improved it takes a very long time to cool the entire car. Iit would be better to have 2 separate units. I love the feel of driving a SUV it drives like a minivan but is a SUV.
accountCircle Kaleb F on January 3, 2021
Missing the antenna, Earl Grey color, 6 seater, runs smoothly.
I do not wish to sell my vehicle, it is my first SUV and I do not wish to get rid of it for quite some time.
accountCircle Carmel K on January 3, 2021
Check underneath the hood before purchasing a GMC Denali.
We had suspension problems in the same year we purchased. Had to replace fuel module, the headlights, and engine light continually comes on. Compared to other SUV I have purchased in the past, the interior seems to be cheaply made. Not very good quality inside or out. The inside the leather was starting to shred a few years after purchasing. The various knobs inside the vehicle also started to show the coloring coming off, which I feel was too soon for the limited time I drove me and was normally the only one in the vehicle.
accountCircle Ashley D on December 31, 2020
Too many factory recalls. This is not a car to buy.
It seems that there is always some kind of recall. I'm actually not really a fan of my vehicle. I find things break really easily and I am not hard on my vehicles. I would not recommend this vehicle
accountCircle Dave B on December 29, 2020
Love the look and comfort of this vehicle!
I love the look and comfort of this vehicle. Keep in mind that we did buy this vehicle used but we have had several performance and mechanical issues with the vehicle. I did hear that 2011's were plagued with issues but not sure if that is accurate information. My other complaint would be the back end storage, which is pretty limited although you can flip a seat down to create more and that is really nice. I like that the vehicle is not too large as I do not want to feel like I am driving a huge vehicle.
accountCircle Paula A on December 23, 2020
It drives very smooth and it is very dependable.
I love all the space it has. I dislike the gas I feel like it wastes a lot of gas. And also love the color and how smooth it rides.
accountCircle Meaghan F on December 23, 2020
Great leather seats, three row seating, lots of extra controls.
Love this car. Perfect for growing families, so much room haul things. Very comfortable and reliable. Love the three row seating can fit everyone in, will grow great with my family over the years. Haven't had any issues with it so far. Great choice if you need something with a lot of room and space for kids.
accountCircle Emily D on December 21, 2020
2011 GMC Acadia- great family vehicle!
I love my 2011 GMC Acadia! It is great for mothers. Has lots of space and third row seating that can be laid down for more trunk space. It is a smooth ride and heated leather seats. Very comfortable! Gas mileage is about 16 mpg. It has a sunroof and also a moon roof as well. Child window locks.
accountCircle Theresa B on December 17, 2020
It runs good, it fits our whole family. Everything works.
My car is very roomy. It fits my whole family. The only down side of the car is gas mileage.
accountCircle Ashley S on December 15, 2020
Lots of mechanical issues
I have had my ac ripped apart several times before the issues was fixed. I have had to replace the motor mounts twice and my heat only blows warm air in half the vents. I've dropped thousands of dollars into this vehicle. I do like the captain chairs that I have in the middle row.
accountCircle Todd N on December 14, 2020
The GMC has great towing and speed for its size.
No problems so far. Everything runs like it should. Tires wear out to fast though. Good vehicle to own so far. Needs more tint on windows though. I would buy this vehicle again but newer..Hopefully in due time. My other vehicles have problems. I will get new vehicles one day.
accountCircle Martha A on December 13, 2020
2011 GMC Acadia is awesome choice.
It is adequate but not necessarily luxury vehicle. We have had some minor issues with it but nothing to serious. We had to replace the steering rack about a year ago. Other than that it is in good shape. It is a smart looking vehicle. We have also been pleased with the gas mileage we get. Very comfortable on trips and around town. We have always felt safe in 8t as well.
avatar Alex Showalter
Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.