2011 GMC Acadia
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD Sle/Slt/Denali, 4dr SUV FWD Sle/Slt
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 201.2 in
- Curb weight
- 4,722–4,925 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 GMC Acadia is a SUV - offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 201 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,925 lb (4dr SUV AWD Sle/Slt/Denali).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2011 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Acadia — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Acadia →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD Sle/Slt/Denali | 201.2 in | 78.7 in | 72.8 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,925 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr SUV FWD Sle/Slt | 201.2 in | 78.7 in | 72.8 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,722 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -9% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Acadia AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | +1% | $3,550 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 GMC Acadia.
Similar 2011 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 GMC Acadia (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Ford Explorer | 20 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2011 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Nissan Pathfinder | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 Dodge Durango | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
Recalls (5)
Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Apr 8, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · 108 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate · Jun 30, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V415000 · 691,144 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
- Risk
- If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Seat Belts · May 20, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V266000 · 1,339,355 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Mar 17, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V118000 · 1,176,407 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages · Apr 9, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V151000 · 47,846 vehicles
- Problem
- GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Risk
- IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Not every 2011 GMC Acadia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 GMC Acadia buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 50 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 44 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 36 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Acadia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Acadia years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Acadia | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Acadia | 22 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 Acadia | 23 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 69 |
| 2024 Acadia | 23 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 61 |
| 2023 Acadia | 25 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 49 |
| 2022 Acadia | 25 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 52 |
| 2021 Acadia | 25 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 155 |
| 2020 Acadia | 24 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 106 |
| 2019 Acadia | 23 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 388 |
| 2018 Acadia | 23 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 398 |
| 2017 Acadia | 23 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 706 |
| 2016 Acadia | 18 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 236 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →