Makes›GMC›Acadia›2013

2013 GMC Acadia

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 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 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
4,656–4,850 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 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 14 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 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 Sle/Slt/Denali).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 8% better than the 2013 standard SUV average of 17.6 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 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2013

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Acadia — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Acadia →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD Sle/Slt/Denali201.2 in78.7 in72.8 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,850 lb55/45
4dr SUV FWD Sle/Slt201.2 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 Drive17 / 24 / 19+8%$3,550465
Acadia AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18+5%$3,700486
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.6 MPG2013 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 GMC Acadia.

Similar 2013 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 GMC Acadia (this car)19 MPGNot rated3
2013 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated2
2013 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated11
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated5
2013 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated0
2013 Nissan Pathfinder22 MPGNot rated11
2013 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated11

Recalls (3)

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.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 GMC Acadia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

127Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
88,900 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System36
Air Bags29
Power Train27
Engine20
Unknown Or Other19
Steering8
Exterior Lighting8
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/05: 222/02: 122/03: 122/05: 222/07: 122/08: 222/10: 222/11: 222/12: 123/01: 223/02: 123/04: 223/06: 223/12: 124/01: 124/02: 124/04: 125/03: 225/04: 125/07: 126/02: 126/04: 226/07: 226/08: 121/0522/0522/1023/0123/0624/0225/0426/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 GMC Acadia buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 36 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Air Bags — 29 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Power Train — 27 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 88,900 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 2013 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 in★★★★★4706
2016 Acadia18201.2 in★★★★★4236

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