Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 5.3× the fleet median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
331Complaints
7Recalls
8Crashes
14Fires
17Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Steering (32.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Steering complaints here are 5.3× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Steering
109 · 32.9%
No official action
—
Power Train
70 · 21.1%
Recalled
Recall 09V073000
Engine
67 · 20.2%
No official action
—
Electrical System
45 · 13.6%
Recalled
Recall 10V240000
Exterior Lighting
38 · 11.5%
Investigation closed
DP12003
Air Bags
15 · 4.5%
Recalled
Recall 14V118000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 331 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE RIVET IS MISSING, THE BUCKLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING STRAP, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“MOST COMMON AT SLOWER RATES OF SPEED, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT & THE VEHICLE BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. HOWEVER, THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED…”NHTSA complaint 10628677 — filed 08/27/2014 · STEERING
“OUR 2009 GMC ACADIA'S POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND TYPICALLY ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED. ONCE THE WHEEL…”NHTSA complaint 10628583 — filed 08/26/2014 · STEERING
“MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR. SHE AND MY SON WHO HAD BORROWED IT CLAIMED THAT "THE STEERING ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY". ON 16 AUGUST I WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10625883 — filed 08/17/2014 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Acadia?
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 109 of 331 NHTSA complaints (32.9%), followed by power train (70), engine (67), electrical system (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2009 GMC Acadia have?
331 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2009 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V266000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 GMC Acadia's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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