Problems with 2009 GMC Acadia POWER TRAIN

My 2009 gmc acadia was purchased in aug 2009. aside from routine maintenance, i have already had to replace the water pump, the radiator, & the timing belt (none of which were covered under my warranty) but on september 9, 2013 , my transmission let go. the dealership kept my vehicle for 20 days. claim they couldn't rebuild it and had to get a new one. (which i have since been told that was a lie, that they have to use factory rebuilt transmissions). got my vehicle back on sept. 28. on march 22, 2014, i brought it back to dealership because it was showing signs of slipping transmission again. dealer told me it was fine sent me home. less than 2 weeks later on april 8, the transmission let go again. no reverse & truck would not move in drive just rev the engine. back to dealership for "another transmission" this time they had my vehicle for 18 days. i just picked it up 2 days ago. this morning while driving my kids to school, transmission went again! this is unsafe! i am scared to death to drive my kids around in this vehicle! i almost got into an accident this morning because of it! 3 transmissions in 6 months?! this is a red flag don't you think.. how much longer will gmc not value my life or my families?? something needs to be done about this! *js

* transmission was slipping and revving up between gears. delayed response and clunking sound when it is in reverse. "check engine light" also came on. barely drove the car to the dealership for repairs. dealership service advisor scheduled a transmission rebuild. after doing internet search, i saw countless complaints in blogs, sns, etc. there are so many people having this transmission problem. not acceptable. gmc has powertrain warranty 5 year /100k miles. my warranty expires in four months and gm should provide extended powertrain warranty beyond 5 years based unreliable transmission design/quality. * power steering problem. power steering is making moaning under low speed driving (in the parking lot, driving around subdivision, etc.). noise is coming from the inside steering column area. also steering is very tight and hard. complained to dealership multiple times. dealership replaced the seal twice, but the problem is still there. dealership told me that gm does not have a fix for this problem. *tr

Initially noticed when shifting from park to another gear shifting was hard. about a week later noticed hesitation in shifting gears while driving at various rates of speed then the engine would rev once it shifted into gear. eventually parked the car in drive then went to back out to take to dealership and it would not go into reverse. vehicle towed to dealership where they replaced the wave plate and other parts that were contaminated. since this incident the vehicle has not drove smoothly or shifted gears smoothly. it also gets less than 15 miles to the gallon during my daily commute now where prior to the transmission fix i would get 19-20. vehicle hesitates and revs continually while driving and accelerating. when i returned the vehicle to the dealership stating there was still an issue i received "we could not replicate the issue" and sent on my way. after research on this site and other and reading the systemic issues others have had just like it i am concerned for my family and those around me safety if the transmission decides to stop while traveling high speed in traffic or when crossing traffic. *tr

The car felt as though the gears weren't catching and rpm would drop but if you took your foot off the accelerator it would go away for a second but then it would happen again. no one seems to know what's wrong, but it seems as though the transmission is slipping. it seems to happen at speeds of 50 miles and higher which is very dangerous especially when traveling on the expressways. *tr

2009 gmc acadia slt1 - 67,000 miles currently. power steering failing at lower speeds. when purchasing the vehicle used with only 25,000m+- approx. 2 years ago, i questioned the dealership about the whining noise coming from the steering components and was told that this is normal for all acaidias and not a concern. now the steering is failing at low speed turns. gmc service dept recommending: steering gear housing $42.14 - 2 bolts $11.00 - 2 - bolts $7.59 - 6 - p/s fluid $23.10 and flush and bleed system, labor to replace steering gear housing $640.50 power steering pump $155.69 realign after steering gear repair $69.95 labor for pump $315.00 injectors and coils failing. in dec 2011, i had to replace coils #2 & #3. i just replaced #6 injector on july 17, 2013 (= $685) and on july 24, 2013 (one week later) check engine light reappeared. gmc service dept recommending: 4 - ignition coils $373.30, 6 - spark plugs $42.25, labor for coils, and plugs $241.50. ........................................................... total parts $655.07 total labor $1197.00 tax $54.04 align $69.95 total: $1976.06 offering 40% customer portion pay $790.42 why is there no recall on defective steering components & coils/injectors? in the later 2012 models gm did change the power steering & fluid, so gm is aware that there is a problem with the design. the fuel delivery system is also defective and faulty coils/injectors could and have caused fires. gmc acadia, buick enclave & chevrolet traverse vehicles up to early 2012 models share these above mentioned components are plagued by these two problems along with transmission (wave plate) problems. gm needs to take full responsibility for defective components and not offer discounted repairs. *tr

Transmission began slipping when i was accelerating out of turns. dealer replaced broken motor mount and reprogrammed computer and said transmission was fine. 17 days later, 3-5 reverse clutch went out and dealer had to rebuild 3-5 reverse and 4,5,6 clutch and replace torque converter because of contamination. the car still isn't driving right but dealer states they can't find anything wrong with the vehicle. this is a very common problem with '08 and '09 acadia's and gmc is aware of the problem but isn't don't anything to prevent failure with other owners. *tr

Current issue is a transmission failure, apparently the "3-5-r waveplate." five months prior, my wife and children were traveling out of state. they experienced a sudden loss of power and were stranded on a rural highway not once, but twice. the vehicle was towed in to a gm dealership, "repairs" were performed under warranty, and we were told we could pick up our car. my wife (again with children in the car) made it less than 10 miles from the dealership before the engine failed again. this time on the bridge of a major highway....no where to even exit the vehicle. after the second incident the engine was replaced (after 3+ weeks of diagnostic work). we were told the dealership was not able to identify the problem that caused the engine failure. engine was replaced under warranty. transmission had been shifting erratically for several months. at time of engine failure/replacement, gm dealership that performed the engine replacement advised us that the transmission shifts/slips were "normal" for this particular transmission. they advised a transmission fluid flush, which we authorized. shifting remained abrupt, slipping continued, but as we were advised this was "normal", we continued driving the vehicle and did not seek further repair. two weeks ago, (now six weeks out of warranty), the slippage became distinctly more evident, vehicle at one point wound not continue forward motion through an intersection and had to be idled to roadside. after multiple calls, we were advised to take the vehicle to a local gm dealership. diagnosis of 3-5-r waveplate failure was given. this transmission waveplate failure is a well documented issue that can cause driver and/or passengers to be put at serious risk for injury. our hope is that an investigation will take place to require gm to recall/repair this issue before someone is needlessly harmed. *tr

Current issue is a transmission failure, apparently the "3-5-r waveplate." five months prior, my wife and children were traveling out of state. they experienced a sudden loss of power and were stranded on a rural highway not once, but twice. the vehicle was towed in to a gm dealership, "repairs" were performed under warranty, and we were told we could pick up our car. my wife (again with children in the car) made it less than 10 miles from the dealership before the engine failed again. this time on the bridge of a major highway....no where to even exit the vehicle. after the second incident the engine was replaced (after 3+ weeks of diagnostic work). we were told the dealership was not able to identify the problem that caused the engine failure. engine was replaced under warranty. transmission had been shifting erratically for several months. at time of engine failure/replacement, gm dealership that performed the engine replacement advised us that the transmission shifts/slips were "normal" for this particular transmission. they advised a transmission fluid flush, which we authorized. shifting remained abrupt, slipping continued, but as we were advised this was "normal", we continued driving the vehicle and did not seek further repair. two weeks ago, (now at 82000 miles, but six weeks out of 5 yr warranty), the slippage became distinctly more evident, vehicle at one point wound not continue forward motion through an intersection and had to be idled to roadside. after multiple calls, we were advised to take the vehicle to a local gm dealership. diagnosis of 3-5-r waveplate failure was given. this transmission waveplate failure is a well documented issue that can cause driver and/or passengers to be put at serious risk for injury. our hope is that an investigation will take place to require gm to recall/repair this issue before someone is needlessly harmed. *tr

My vehicle began to "jump" when you press on the gas petal. then it had trouble finding a gear. i took it in to the dealership and they said that they could not replicate the problem. i was then coming home from work at 5pm in traffic, going 65 miles an hour in the fast lane and the transmission failed. the car would not move forward or backwards. i was left in the middle of the road in heavy traffic where people could easily hit my car. i was able to guide the car to the side and a tow truck came and towed me into the dealership. they returned the car a week later saying that it was working as designed. i was then driving up to eureka ca and the transmission began to slip. the car would not go past 35 miles per hour. i was on a busy freeway at the time. i took it to repair and they tested it and said that transmission sensors where faulty. there was no dealership there so i drove it back to the san francisco bay area with my hazard lights on at 35 miles per hour with the transmission wining the whole time. the car was returned to me a week later saying that the transmission had been repaired. a couple of weeks later i was driving and felt the transmission slip again. i took it in to the dealership and they said that they could not replicate the problem. i told them that i was sure i was going to be back as this was the pattern of the car. the car is now in the shop after the transmission failed again on a busy street while i was driving. this issue is well documented for this car at around 60,000 but there has been no recall. does someone need to get hurt for a recall to happen? *tr

In 2 years of ownership i have replaced 4 ignition coils and the vehicle now needs yet another. at roughly 85000 miles (and year 5) the transmission wave plate failed. gm would only authorize a rebuild (last week). *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk violently intermittently. the contact noticed that there was water leaking from underneath the vehicle. additionally, the power steering assist would sporadically seize accompanied by an abnormal noise when completing a turn. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the water pump and ignition coil needed to be replaced. an unknown repair was made to the steering component to rectify the failure. on a separate occasion, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service where the dealer advised that the tie rods failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown.

I took my 2009 acadia into the gmc dealer with around 65,000 miles on it after buying it used (1 previous owner) with around 42,000 miles. they told me i had a power steering leak in the rack and pinion and it would cost around $2000 to replace a seal because they have to pull the whole rack off. he told me it would be okay for a while, but eventually it would cause the power steering to go out. after researching, i've seen multiple other acadia owners who have had the exact same problem. i have refused to pay for the repairs because i think this is a safety issue that has effected enough of this model vehicle to warrant a general safety recall. i know of 3 other people in my hometown who have experienced power steering problems with their acadia's, and the gmc dealership acknowledged to me that it is a significant problem with gmc acadia model years 2008-2012. if that's not enough, then i'm not sure what is, but if my power steering goes out while i'm driving, well, let this serve as notice to gmc. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light illuminated as the vehicle decelerated and sputter. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions. the ignition coil was replaced but the failure recurred. the contact indicated that after experiencing the same failures, the dealer diagnosed that the fuel pump module was faulty. after replacing the fuel pump module, the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who then diagnosed that the transmission would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failures. the failure mileage was 30,072.

First problem was the timing chains needing to be replaced at 18000 miles. after that repair was made the gas mileage was averaging 11 mpg. it was a one year old car! after that, it was a multitude of problems. steering rack/power steering replaced and 'fixed', electric stabilitrak lights going on and off, dvd player not playing properly. all things the dealer had said they fixed (after they whispered that i should not have bought an american car.) now the transmission is acting up. rolling down an incline when i was trying to back out of a parking spot. the dealer told me it was fine and they could not duplicate the issues i was having. i've written two letters to gm corporate to complain about the sub-standard vehicle. they were helpless and will not assist in any replacement of the car. they even told me that this would be a difficult car to trade in considering the problems i have had with it. who is kidding who? i would never recommend this car and hate to continually put my family in it .it is unsafe. period. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc acadia. the contact was reversing from a residential driveway on a steep incline with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed when the vehicle abnormally began to roll backward. the vehicle independently rolled approximately ten feet. the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. the failure recurred. the dealer was able to duplicate the failure but was unable to provide a remedy. the dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was safe to drive back to his residence which was 1,000 miles away. the vehicle was taken to a second dealer closer to his residence but they were unable to duplicate the failure. the dealer advised that the vehicle was operating as normal. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 25,144 and the current mileage was 26,244.

Our 2009 gmc acadia, with front wheel drive, rolls backward when parked on a slight incline even when the transmission is in drive. this past weekend it rolled backward hitting my husband who was walking behind the vehicle. he wasn't injured but we believe this is a serious safety issue especially if children are involved. also, the vehicle rolls backward, approximately one foot in distance, after the vehicle was placed in park and is parked on an incline. this also happened when the vehicle is stopped at an intersection, in drive, and when on an incline. this could cause an accident. *tr