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2015 GMC Acadia

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 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
★★★★★
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 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), 2% better than the 2015 standard SUV average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Acadia — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Acadia →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD Sle/Slt/Denali201.2 in78.7 in72.8 in118.9 in66.9 / 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+2%$3,550465
Acadia AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19+4%$3,550476
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.7 MPG2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 GMC Acadia SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.9%
2015 GMC Acadia SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2015 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 GMC Acadia (this car)19 MPG★★★★★4
2015 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated4
2015 Ford Explorer23 MPG★★★★★8
2015 Toyota Highlander28 MPG★★★★★1
2015 GMC Yukon18 MPG★★★★★10
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe18 MPG★★★★★16
2015 Ford Expedition18 MPG★★★★★3

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 › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Apr 14, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V246000 · 2,687 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 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 drivers air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. 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 N222366190.
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.
Tires · Jan 28, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V044000 · 9,074 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 14, 2015, 2015 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 20, 2015, and 2015 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 16, 2015, and all equipped with Goodyear P255/65R18 Fortera HL tires. These vehicles are equipped with tires that may experience tread cracking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less."
Risk
If the tire treads crack, a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires that were manufactured within a specific date range, free of charge. The rec all began on March 9, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 15025/15067. Note: This recall is for Goodyear P255/65R18 Fortera HL tires installed as original equipment. For tires that were purchased as replacement equipment, see recall 15T-002.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 GMC Acadia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

243Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
50,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags106
Steering31
Electrical System28
Unknown Or Other23
Power Train18
Engine18
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)12
Exterior Lighting10
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/12: 424/01: 1324/02: 524/03: 424/04: 324/05: 224/06: 324/07: 224/08: 324/12: 225/02: 125/04: 425/05: 125/06: 125/07: 125/09: 125/10: 126/01: 126/03: 326/04: 226/05: 326/06: 126/07: 126/08: 123/1224/0324/0624/1225/0525/0926/0326/06max 13

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 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 — 106 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Steering — 31 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 — 28 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 2015 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 →