Is the 2012 Gmc ACADIA reliable?

The 2012 Gmc ACADIA has 397 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Gmc ACADIA?

Top problems: STEERING (46 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (45 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (43 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Gmc ACADIA?

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

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Gmc ACADIA?

The 2012 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 2012 Gmc ACADIA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Gmc ACADIA is approximately $1,520/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.

2012 Gmc ACADIA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Gmc ACADIA has 397 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 309. The most common issue is steering problems (12% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc acadia. the contact stated that while traveling 20 mph, the steering wheel detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 300. upd. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 10 crash reports 22 injuries

397

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

46 complaints

12%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 300. UPD
• THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA SLE (LAMBDA PLATFORM SUV). THE STEERING SYSTEM IS HAZARDOUS. IT DEFAULTS INTO STEERING/PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT, STEERING THE VEHICLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE UNSAFE STEERING MULTIPLE (4) TIMES (ONCE KEEPING THE VEHICLE F
• INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. GMC KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2008 - 2011'S BUT, OF COURSE, NOT FOR 2012'S ("LET'S SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN BEFORE WE FIX THE ISSUE."). FORCED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND ALIGNMENT. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 300. UPD”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Gmc ACADIA

Based on 292 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 76K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

115

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 58K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 60K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 22K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 68K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 48K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 73K mi · 39 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)

SEAT BELTS20/05/2014

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Risk: 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.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 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 2012 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

$1,520

Full coverage / month

$127

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-9%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1520

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 2012 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 397 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 300. UPD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A GM AFTERMARKET AIR DEFLECTOR (PART NUMBER: 1927884) BEING USED ON A 2012 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE CENTER PLASTIC TIE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE DEFLECTOR TO CRASH INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRIEFLY WHILE SWITCHING LANES. UPON ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE RPM READING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC ACADIA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN WOULD BEAM ON THE CHROME DASHBOARD, THE REFLECTION FROM THE CHROME WOULD CAUSE A BLUR IN THE CONTACT'S VISION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A R
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)