Makes›GMC›Acadia›2016

2016 GMC Acadia

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

GMC Acadia
Pictured: 2024 GMC Acadia Denali front view. Photo: Deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
Length
201.2 in
Curb weight
4,656–4,850 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 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 15 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 GMC Acadia is a standard 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 4,850 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 6% worse than the 2016 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Acadia — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Acadia →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD201.2 in78.7 in72.8 in118.9 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,850 lb55/45
4dr SUV FWD201.2 in78.7 in72.8 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,656 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Acadia FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-6%$3,700507
Acadia AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 17-9%$3,950518
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 GMC Acadia.

Similar 2016 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 GMC Acadia (this car)18 MPGNot rated4
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated3
2016 Ford Explorer22 MPGNot rated14
2016 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated2
2016 GMC Yukon19 MPGNot rated5
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe19 MPGNot rated10
2016 Ford Expedition18 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 10, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V334000 · 995,085 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
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.
Seats · Dec 11, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V833000 · 2,633 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Risk
If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Sep 29, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V609000 · 29,295 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Risk
A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 GMC Acadia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

236Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
16Injuries reported
50,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags129
Steering24
Electrical System23
Power Train21
Unknown Or Other20
Engine13
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection9
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/05: 724/06: 724/07: 624/08: 1124/10: 124/11: 124/12: 125/02: 425/03: 225/04: 325/05: 125/06: 225/07: 125/08: 125/10: 125/11: 226/02: 226/03: 126/04: 326/05: 126/06: 226/07: 126/08: 126/09: 124/0524/0824/1225/0425/0725/1126/0426/07max 11

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 GMC Acadia buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 129 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Steering — 24 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Acadia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Acadia years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Acadia22–Not rated00
2026 Acadia22203.9 inNot rated110
2025 Acadia23203.9 in★★★★★069
2024 Acadia23203.9 in★★★★★061
2023 Acadia25193.3 in★★★★★449
2022 Acadia25193.3 in★★★★★352
2021 Acadia25193.3 in★★★★★2155
2020 Acadia24193.3 in★★★★★6106
2019 Acadia23193.7 in★★★★★2388
2018 Acadia23193.7 in★★★★★2398
2017 Acadia23193.7 inNot rated4706
2015 Acadia19201.2 inNot rated4243

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →