The 2017 GMC Acadia (second-gen) represents GM's downsized crossover on the C1XX platform. While more refined than its predecessor, it suffers from catastrophic 3.6L V6 engine failures and persistent transmission cooling issues that can leave owners stranded with rebuild bills.
3.6L V6 Catastrophic Engine Failure (Piston Ring / Bearing Collapse)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse), Metallic knocking or rod knock at idle, Check engine light with misfire codes, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup, Sudden loss of power / total engine seizure
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or replacement required. Piston ring land failures and bearing wear are common failure modes on the LGX/LGZ V6. Expect 25-35 labor hours for short block replacement, more for full rebuild. Many owners opt for remanufactured long blocks due to internal scoring.
Estimated cost: $6,500-10,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks / Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking near radiator area, Transmission overheating warnings, Harsh shifting or slipping after highway driving, Pink fluid visible under vehicle, Transmission enters limp mode
Fix: The 9T45 9-speed transmission's external oil cooler lines corrode and leak, or the cooler itself fails internally. If coolant mixes with ATF, the transmission is often toast. Cooler line replacement is 2-3 hours; if internal cooler damage contaminated the trans, add 12-18 hours for transmission replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-800 (lines only), $4,500-6,500 (if trans damaged)
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount, Excessive drivetrain movement when accelerating
Fix: The front transmission mount deteriorates prematurely on the C1XX platform, especially with the V6. Replacement requires supporting the powertrain and is about 2-2.5 hours. Use OEM or quality aftermarket; cheap mounts fail in 20,000 miles.
Symptoms: Vibration at highway speeds (60-70 mph), Clunking from underneath when accelerating, Whining or howling noise that changes with speed, Carrier bearing support bracket cracking
Fix: AWD models experience driveshaft imbalance and carrier bearing wear. GM issued a recall for some units (driveshaft separation risk). Requires driveshaft removal, balancing, and/or bearing replacement. About 2.5-3.5 hours including alignment of driveshaft phasing.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Fuel Pump Module Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with fuel gauge reading, Engine cranks but won't fire, Intermittent stalling, especially when fuel level is low, Fuel pump not priming (no hum when key turned on), P0087 or P0230 codes
Fix: The in-tank fuel pump module fails, often without warning. GM issued a recall for some VINs. Requires dropping the fuel tank (3-4 hours labor). OEM pump module recommended as aftermarket units have high failure rates on this platform.
Estimated cost: $800-1,300
Front Brake Caliper Sticking / Uneven Pad Wear
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Pulling to one side during braking, Premature pad wear on one side, Hot wheel smell after driving, Grinding noise from one front corner, Brake pedal pulsation
Fix: Front caliper slide pins seize or caliper pistons stick, causing uneven pad wear. GM had a recall addressing some caliper issues. Typically replace calipers and rotors in pairs. About 2 hours labor for both sides with rotor replacement.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start (first 5 seconds), Check engine light with P0008, P0009, P0011, P0014 codes, Rough idle, Reduced power / poor acceleration, Whining from timing cover area
Fix: The 3.6L's timing chains can stretch, and VVT solenoids fail. If caught early, solenoid replacement is 2-3 hours. Timing chain job requires front cover removal and is 10-14 hours. Critical to address before chain jumps time and causes valve-to-piston contact.
Check oil level every 500 miles on the 3.6L V6 — consumption above 1 qt/1,000 mi means impending engine failure
Service transmission fluid every 50,000 miles with genuine Dexron HP fluid, not lifetime fill as GM suggests
Inspect transmission cooler lines for corrosion annually, especially in salt-belt states
If buying used, obtain full service records and have a pre-purchase compression test done on the V6 — low compression means walk away
Consider the 2.5L I4 models if fuel economy is priority; they avoid most catastrophic V6 engine issues but are underpowered for the chassis weight
Pass on high-mileage V6 examples due to engine grenade risk; low-mileage 2.5L models with documented maintenance are acceptable, but budget for transmission cooler preventive work.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system
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Every control module on the 2017-2026 GMC Acadia — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Electric Power Steering Control Module (EPSCM)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.6 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with steering column assembly, below instrument panel
⚠️ Security-linked to BCM and gateway. Must disable SIR system before removal. VIN programming and security authentication required. Difficult for aftermarket tools.
📍 Under driver side instrument panel, above fuse box
🔧 GDS2 or Autel/Launch
⚠️ Trailer brake gain calibration required after replacement. Most aftermarket tools can perform calibration.
Headlamp Control Module (HCM)0.8 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.2 hrwith LED or adaptive headlamps▸ programming details
📍 Behind driver side headlamp assembly
🔧 GDS2 or Autel/Launch
⚠️ Headlamp aiming calibration may be required after replacement. Most aftermarket tools can perform calibration.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 23V334000
2023-05-10 · EA16003
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 17V516000
2017-08-22
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Consequence: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · 16V802000
2016-11-04
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cadillac XT5 vehicles manufactured April 16, 2016, to May 9, 2016, and 2017 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 19, 2016, to April 22, 2016. The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak.
Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake calipers, replacing the brake caliper assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 16096.
Performance
Horsepower
193hp
Torque
188lb-ft
0–60 mph
9.2sec
Quarter mile
16.8sec
Top speed
112mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
21mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
23mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Towing capacity
1,000lb
Payload
1,400lb
Curb weight
4,021lb
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Wiper blades
Second generation Acadia (downsized platform). Standard hook attachment for front blades.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2017 GMC Acadia 2.5L I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.