Is the 2011 Gmc ACADIA reliable?

The 2011 Gmc ACADIA has 373 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Gmc ACADIA?

Top problems: STEERING (64 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (56 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (47 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Gmc ACADIA?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Gmc ACADIA?

The 2011 Gmc ACADIA gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Gmc ACADIA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Gmc ACADIA is approximately $1,404/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Gmc ACADIA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Gmc ACADIA has 373 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 309. The most common issue is steering problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: in wet / rainy conditions, power steering fails as belt gets wet and looses all traction. this has occurred multiple times at varying speeds and has twice almost resulted in accidents as we were negotiating turns. various online auto forums highlight this as a recurring problem with the gmc acadia. . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 7 crash reports 6 injuries

373

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

64 complaints

17%

• IN WET / RAINY CONDITIONS, POWER STEERING FAILS AS BELT GETS WET AND LOOSES ALL TRACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARYING SPEEDS AND HAS TWICE ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AS WE WERE NEGOTIATING TURNS. VARIOUS ONLINE AUTO FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GMC ACADIA.
• DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COMING OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE STEERING. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LIKE TRYING TO PULL ON DEAD WEIGHT TO GET IT TO TURN. THIS CONTINUED AND SEEMED TO GET WORSE AS I SLOWED THE CAR TO A STOP. UPON DRIVING AGAI
• POWER STEERING MAKING A WHIRRING AND GRINDING NOISE AT LOW SPEED. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT APPEARS TO BE HARDER TO STEER. CONCERNED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING AND FEAR FOR MY AND MY PASSENGERS' SAFETY. WHEN I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM AMA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“IN WET / RAINY CONDITIONS, POWER STEERING FAILS AS BELT GETS WET AND LOOSES ALL TRACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARYING SPEEDS AND HAS TWICE ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AS WE WERE NEGOTIATING TURNS. VARIOUS ONLINE AUTO FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GMC ACADIA. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Gmc ACADIA

Based on 292 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 70K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

106

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 38K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 42K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 63K mi · 54 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 33 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS08/04/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Gmc ACADIA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Gmc ACADIA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,404

Full coverage / month

$117

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-16%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1404

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc ACADIA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2011 ACADIA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 373 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: IN WET / RAINY CONDITIONS, POWER STEERING FAILS AS BELT GETS WET AND LOOSES ALL TRACTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARYING SPEEDS AND HAS TWICE ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AS WE WERE NEGOTIATING TURNS. VARIOUS ONLINE AUTO FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THIS AS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE GMC ACADIA.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY 2011 GMC ACADIA (DENALI) HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES (AND LIKELY AN UPCOMING 4TH) DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW (AND REAR HATCH) WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPLACED THE DOOR MODULE AND REPROGRAMMED IT. THE NEXT TIME, THEY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: PASSENGER SIDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. TOOK TO DEALER AND BULB WAS REPLACED. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, BULB WAS OUT AGAIN. RETURNED TO DEALER IN JUNE 2013 AND DISCOVERED PART OF THE FIXTURE WIRING HAD MELTED. DEALER REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SAME DAY WE PICKED IT UP, THE DRIVER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)