Used 2012 GMC Acadia Consumer Reviews
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2012 Acadia Problems
PS-PUMP BUYER , 07/27/2020
2012 GMC Acadia Denali 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
In 2015, my wife and I purchased a 2012 Acadia Denali with about 45,000 miles on it. It was an 8 seater and AWD model. We did so thinking that the size was needed for our football playing son and his equipment. We thought it would be our last car purchase. WE WERE WRONG!! Before we traded it with right at 100,000 miles on it, we had to replace TWO power steering pumps(cost was about $500.00 each time and was done with GM parts), replace the fuel pumps (it has 2 pumps and cost about $800.00) after it left us stranded, and were on the verge of needed to replace the power steering pump a THIRD time and it was starting to sip anti-freeze which means water pump and/or head gasket needs to be replaced as no leakage was visible. Additionally, it was going to need the ac serviced as it was no longer blowing cold, one of the headphones that came with the backseat entertainment system fell apart, and the drivers seat outside seat panel had separated and was broken. About 50% of our miles were highway miles. I serviced it my self, oil and filters and had it checked by a mechanic who put new brakes on it. This car was NOT neglected. We hoped that it would be the last car that we bought before we retired. We had a 1998 GMC Jimmy--we sold it to a friend--that now has about 222,000 miles on it and is still running. What happened to GM quality in a little over a decade? I don't know and they don't care. Side note: In Europe GM was forced to recall the Acadia and other such vehicles because of the faulty power steering pumps. In the U.S. they provided a 2 year warranty on the power steering pump that you paid to replace. Our last pump failed at the 26 month mark and GM would not budge a penny. When this car was not in the shop being repaired, it was a smooth riding and peppy SUV. Please, please do NOT buy this vehicle unless you are willing to constantly have it repaired. We now own our first Honda and will never buy a GM vehicle again. Again, counting the original, this vehicle was needing the FOURTH Power Steering Pump with 100,000 on it. Oh yeah, when we traded it in on the Honda CRV, the dealer asked about "Electrical Issues" as this vehicle is now getting a reputation for electrical problems. I have never been happier to get rid of a vehicle in my life. I gave it a one star because I could not give it a half star.
Do not purchase 2012 Acaidia
Carina , 02/08/2020
updated 08/14/2023
2012 GMC Acadia SLT-1 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Acadia in 2017 with a extended warranty driving off the lot taking my baby home noticed Radio was not working took it back dealership fixed also told them ac was not cooling on the way home they said oh it’s very hot out and I was like my Dodge Journey always cooled very comfy so this is not ok so they checked one of the hoses had a leak and they fixed I was like omg I just bought the vehicle and already having issues a month later my car was really bouncy in the front took it In struts were bad the driver power window sensor gave out brakes bad needed new alternator and battery radiator resovoir was cracked all that on my first year of purchase second year now no more warranty ball joints,ac condenser, all three ac hoses, catylac converter this year in 6 months I payed over $4000 in repairs out of pocket and my Acadia still has many issues I cannot fix because of $$$ car is jerking pulling like it’s gonna stop my traction control goes off constantly with engine light flashing this is just horrible for the $28000. I financed this 2012 vehicle in 2017, car was only 5 years old with 38000 miles and now I can’t even trade in because I owe 15000 and car only worth 7000 :/ please do buy an Acadia yr 2012-2015 any mechanic will tell you they are horrible cars GMC Acadia Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave all the same sad because they are beautiful looking cars but give a lot of stress and headaches. Only had vehicle 3 years total needed new transmission and new motor not worth it still owed 7,000 in the end it’s a trash car!!!!
Loved this car until I reached 90k miles
M English, 12/30/2017
2012 GMC Acadia SLE 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Speakers shorted out. Driver seat panel literally came off and cannot be reattached. Alternator died. GMC Mahwah NJ charged over $800 to replace the alternator. Charged over $800 to replace speakers. The car has some type of electrical problem. It does not always start and the speakers still cut in and out. The car stutters when reaching 2.5 rpm. Disgusted with car and dealership.
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I Love My Acadia Denali. Maintain yours!
GM Dave, 02/20/2020
2012 GMC Acadia Denali 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
20 of 23 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2012 GMC Acadia Denali at the end of 2012 brand new at a year-end close-out price and a military discount on top of that. Through the years (it is now Feb 2020), I've replaced the tires, the windshield, and repaired some minor body damage & a broken Left Hand rear side mirror (caused solely by me paying attention to the camera view and NOT the mirrors). Now, for the engine, transmission, AC, and everything under the hood, it has been FLAWLESS, I mean literally, ZERO repairs. BUT, I am a stickler for maintenance. I learned a lot in High School Shop and in the military. All scheduled maintenance / oil changes are is done ON TIME or AHEAD OF TIME by me, the dealer, or a trusted shop that uses B&G products. I did however, have to get replaced a rear-seat AC / radio control console because it had a short which cause the Right Rear Speakers to got on-and-off. The whole repair, because of looking for it and trial & error, cost $211.00 at my local Cavender Cadillac dealer in the SA area. It did take them almost two weeks, but the SUV is as good as new and runs like new still after 8 years. I replaced the original battery at 6 years at my local auto parts store and it has a 5 year warranty. My wife has a 2014 Buick Encore. It has had two engine repairs (faulty head gasket and a PCV), one full Infotainement / radio replacement, a replaced water pump, and on it's 3rd battery. (Wife's fault on that one). All of this was done under warranty - except 3rd battery. Now, lets hope all goes well for the next 6 years. Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance... I have many more lengthy vacation road trips planned for my family. I trust my GMC (maybe a little more than my Buick. Oh, I only buy my vehicles NEW. I never buy used because I do NOT know who maintained it, their driving habits, did they let their teen drive it (let's face it, I was a teen once and drove one way for my parents and entirely differently when I was with friends.) My neighbors have offered me good money for my cars because they see me do the tire rotations, oil changes, frequently wash & wax, etc. checking the tire pressures even on the spare on the underside, armor all, and YES, I even keep the engine virtually spotless just like the inside. YES, this car still looks like I drove off the lot - inside and out!! :-)
Repair costs
Carol silva, 01/02/2017
updated 04/13/2018
2012 GMC Acadia Denali 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for six years, i do like the comfort and style of this SUV, but would not buy another Acadia Denali. Their Electronics and headlamps needs some definite reevaluating. The contact buttons had to be replaced for the fan control to work, cost $500. My headlamps which appears to be a well-known problem because of their high intensity have a tendency to short out each headlamp cost $1,000 to replace. I have replaced one, now the second one needs replacing. The navigation unit in this car stopped working, cost $1,500. My Bluetooth works when it feels like it. Most of these problems occurred right after 71000 miles, I have had Ford Expeditions and other Ford cars prior to a GMC that I traded it in and had over a hundred thousand miles and I never had to put any money into repairs. the money I have put into repairs is ridiculous, especially for the headlamps, this is a well-known problem they should have extended warranties on this.
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