2012 GMC Acadia Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

35Engine complaints

11.9%Of all 294 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

STEERING45 · 15.3%

POWER TRAIN43 · 14.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39 · 13.3%

Unspecified / other38 · 12.9%

ENGINE35 · 11.9%

Share of the 294 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 GMC Acadia overview page.

What owners report

“NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEAK WHEN STEERING SO TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALER PERFORMED NEARLY $5400.00 OF WORK ON MY CAR. HERE IS WHAT…”NHTSA complaint 11016239 — filed 08/18/2017

“MY WIFE AND THREE DAUGHTERS, AGES 11, 9, AND 6, WERE INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CRASH. AN ELDERLY MALE TRAVELED THRU A STEADY RED TRAFFIC…”NHTSA complaint 10882239 — filed 07/02/2016

“TIMING GEAR COVER ON FRONT OF ENGINE LEAKS OIL. IT HAPPENS AFTER EVERY USE AND APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THE 3.6L V6…”NHTSA complaint 10823622 — filed 02/01/2016

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 GMC Acadia have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2012 GMC Acadia: 35 of 294 complaints on file (11.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 GMC Acadia have in total?

294 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 8 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.