GMC Acadia Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Failure To Detect Vehicle in “Park”
General Motors faces a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of customers who claim GMC Acadia vehicles have defective gear shifters, which prevent them from properly placing the sport utility vehicle (SUV) in “Park” and turning the engine off.
The complaint was filed by Brandy Smith in the United States District Court Eastern District of Texas on May 14, alleging that the U.S. auto maker has known about problems with an intermittent gear shifter, yet has failed to offer a repair remedy.
Smith, who seeks class action status to pursue damages on behalf of similarly situated owners of GMC Acadia SUVs, alleges General Motors continued to manufacture and sell the vehicles for profit without offering a remedy, despite the known defect.
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Learn MoreSmith, of Texas, claims she and hundreds of thousands of others who have purchased certain GMC Acadia models are often unable to shut off their vehicles and, to avoid battery discharge, are forced to resort to all sort of gimmicks to get their vehicles to detect that the shift lever is in fact in “Park.”
The GMC Acadia class action indicates Smith has been forced to repeatedly find new methods of turning off her vehicle, such as wiggling the shifter, shift it through its gears, and start and shut off the engine. Smith claims she has found herself stranded inside her vehicle at home, at work, at school, and at various other places away from home, unable to shut her vehicle off.
Despite Smith reporting the issues to General Motors authorized dealerships at least six times, she was told that since the intermittent defect was not noticed at the time the vehicle was inspected, no repairs could be made.
The lawsuit claims GM has been aware of the defect since at least May 29, 2018, when the manufacturer issued a Technical Service Bulletin warning customers that the vehicles may not shut off when the vehicle is put in the “Park” position.
On October 3, 2018, GM issued a subsequent announcement indicating the defect may be due to the “park switch in the transmission control (shifter) assembly not pulling BCM signal low to electronically show Park condition.” Within the notice, GM stated the defect can be corrected by replacing the transmission control assembly, yet has not offered customers experiencing the issue any remedy, nor have they issued an official recall campaign, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint details several related incidents which have been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all expressing concerns over how the vehicle must be left running, which poses a theft and drained battery risk that could leave consumers and their occupants stranded.
As a result of this defect, Smith claims the value, safety, and use of the vehicle are diminished, leaving the burden of the defects on the consumers, all while GM profits.
Her complaint presents claims General Motors breached its contract with customers and failed to provide repairs required under the vehicle warranty, among other allegations. Further, Smith alleges GM will continue to benefit from its unlawful conduct by selling and leasing more vehicles, at a higher price, and avoiding warranty obligations, while consumers suffer from the defect.
The lawsuit calls for GM to pay monetary damages to Smith and all other similarly situated consumers who either purchased or leased 2017 through 2018 GMC Acadia vehicles in the form of a refund of the full contract price, punitive damages against the manufacturer, and a recognition of the impacted vehicles for an official recall and repair campaign.
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65 Comments
Ryan or MariaApril 24, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Same S-I-P problem. 2019 Acadia. 51k miles. $665 cutomer pay. Not recalled or covered by 5yr/60k PT warranty or X-warranty (switches and wiring not warrantable replacements.
ShanikaDecember 22, 2022 at 11:25 am
I will never buy another midsize SUV from GMC! I've had issues with every last one of them.
YuSeptember 10, 2022 at 11:34 am
Have a GMC Acadia 2017, keep having shift to park, when I park and shut off my car. Dealer asked $665 to fix it. This should be a recall!
PatriciaAugust 25, 2022 at 3:58 pm
I purchased my 2019 GMC Acadia last year July and have never had any issues until recently with the following problems listed: Service Parking Brake Service StabiliTrak Too be charged over $20,000 for a vehicle I have owned a year is frustrating to say the least, and I don't know what to do. If I let the vehicle go into the Auto Stop mode at any time the whole panel lights up and the steeri[Show More]I purchased my 2019 GMC Acadia last year July and have never had any issues until recently with the following problems listed: Service Parking Brake Service StabiliTrak Too be charged over $20,000 for a vehicle I have owned a year is frustrating to say the least, and I don't know what to do. If I let the vehicle go into the Auto Stop mode at any time the whole panel lights up and the steering wheel tightens. It has died out on me 2 times and I have had the battery checked which is good and possibly a problem with the alternator. I wouldn't expect anything to be wrong since this vehicle is still new to me. I keep up with all the maintenance such as new tires, oil changes etc. Please help if anyone is experiencing the same issues.
IdaliaJuly 5, 2022 at 10:59 am
I have a 2019 Acadia with he same issue. I took it to a GMC dealer and they did not take any responsibility. After arguing for hours, they offered to pay half of the repairs. I spent $240 to fix a problem that was not my fault!! GMC truly does NOT care about their customers safety!!!!!
ErickaJune 25, 2022 at 9:54 pm
I’m experiencing the same issue and have for about 3 months. I bought the car 2 years ago and in my area in Michigan this is a known issue as to what the mechanic said. He has replaced several of these. Thankfully I do have a service contract but unfortunately will still be coming out of pocket.
DebbieJune 8, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Same problem
JulieJune 7, 2022 at 9:21 am
I have a GMC Acadia 2018 with shift to park issues. Warranty out in April and this was in May2022. I purchased my vehicle new in 2019. To get the vehicle fixed at Serra dealership in Jackson, TN. and cost was over $800 dollars. Called GMC and they haven’t done anything yet. I would join a class action lawsuit if there is one in Tennessee. I won’t ever buy another GMC and that’s all we ( me a[Show More]I have a GMC Acadia 2018 with shift to park issues. Warranty out in April and this was in May2022. I purchased my vehicle new in 2019. To get the vehicle fixed at Serra dealership in Jackson, TN. and cost was over $800 dollars. Called GMC and they haven’t done anything yet. I would join a class action lawsuit if there is one in Tennessee. I won’t ever buy another GMC and that’s all we ( me and my husband) have bought for many years! Not anymore!
NicholeMay 6, 2022 at 4:00 pm
I have a 2010 Acadia that shifts bad and goes in reverse while in drive. I had the TCM replaced twice and that didn't help 2400 later I was told I needed a new transmission at 5000. I am single mother of 2 of a very small income and cannot afford that. Can I contact someone about this? I need help!!!!!
AmandaMarch 29, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Same problem here in Florida, now it leaves me stranded in blistering heat because it won’t turn on. I wish there was a class action suit in Florida.
AndreaFebruary 23, 2022 at 3:29 am
I have a 2017 Acadia, and it started doing this today. It left us stranded in 10 degree weather, no heat no nothing. Had to have it towed. Just no more yhan 2 weeks ago the starter blew. Had to have that replaced it's still under warranty...but still, it's ridiculous.
RogerFebruary 4, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Had to pay $500.00 to replace issues related to shifter sensors on my 2017 Acadia Denali with less than 25,000 miles. GM should reimburse that!!
JameyJanuary 24, 2022 at 6:59 pm
Same problem on my 2019 gmc acadia
GeorgeDecember 31, 2021 at 6:06 pm
My wife has a 2019, in the shop again in st.augustine fl for shifter. We just paid over 500.00 for first one and broke again. How do we get our money back?
OscarOctober 27, 2021 at 4:15 pm
I started having the pork problem several weeks ago with my 2018 GMC Acadia, sometimes the car wont turn off and continues to alarm that it’s not in park, contacted the dealer and they are not aware with any problems with this vehicle??? I’m at my wits end I’m concerned that matters will get worst and I will be left stranded like other drivers, I hope someone on the email can help. Thanks for your[Show More]I started having the pork problem several weeks ago with my 2018 GMC Acadia, sometimes the car wont turn off and continues to alarm that it’s not in park, contacted the dealer and they are not aware with any problems with this vehicle??? I’m at my wits end I’m concerned that matters will get worst and I will be left stranded like other drivers, I hope someone on the email can help. Thanks for your tension
PeytonSeptember 21, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Ugh! My 2018 Acadia has had issues twice with the shift to park message. Last time the dealer replaced a part and did not charge me. This time they are replacing the entire shifter and charging me $700+ this is not okay. It’s unbelievable that GMC is doing nothing about this issue.
LeesaSeptember 10, 2021 at 9:45 pm
I have a 2017 Acadia and this is my second time getting this fixed. This is ridiculous that GMC will not recall all the vehicles and get this issue resolved. I am hoping to get a few more year and then trading it in for a different manufacturer!!!! I want in on this Class Action Lawsuit!!!!!
JessicaJuly 28, 2021 at 5:50 pm
I have a 2017 Acadia that I leased in 2017 and then decided to OWN about a year ago. My car has recently begun the issue of not recognizing being shifted into Park. As well as other issues. Go figure.
NicoleJuly 28, 2021 at 2:37 pm
I have a 2018 Acadia and have had the same Shift to Park issues and have been stranded a couple of times due to a dead battery. The transmission also just went out @ 80,000 miles and cost $5000 to replace. Was not expecting that in a 2018 vehicle.
LisaJuly 27, 2021 at 1:37 am
I have a 2017 Acadia. I had this issue start in 2019. The dealer claims to have fixed the issue but it’s still happening. I was at the dealer today and they told me that they checked the car several times and found no issues. It literally just took me 15 minutes to get the car to turn off. How can I be included on the lawsuit because this is not safe to drive this way.
CHERYLJuly 16, 2021 at 11:42 am
I have a 2017 Acadia and have the same issue. Until this week thought it was just me. That I was some how doing something wrong. How do we get included in the suit?
SHAWNAJuly 7, 2021 at 8:54 pm
I too am having the same issue with my 2017 GMC Acadia Denali. I have only had it a few months and it only has 15000 miles. Scheduled to go to the dealer to be fixed on Friday.
CoreyJune 25, 2021 at 4:09 pm
I have a 2018 GMC Acadia and that shift to park issue is driving me crazy .I was late to work a few mornings because the battery was dead .It's a big problem please help.
JerryJune 21, 2021 at 7:35 pm
I just spent a little over $400 for the dealer to replace the shifter to correct the "shift to park" error. My Acadia was 3 months out of warranty. I hope to be reimbursed in the future should the class action suit go forward successfully.
charlesJune 21, 2021 at 7:40 am
my 2017 acadia denali shift to parn display appears weekly and car battery drains completely if not driven every day parasitic drain problem
AmandaMay 26, 2021 at 12:12 am
We are having the same issues with our 2019 Acadia and the shift to park error. I have to get it fixed soon bc it's stranded us several times. I am furious there has been no recall, but service bulletins to alert GMC service about the issues so they can charge us consumers to attempt the fix. How do we get in on this lawsuit?
KatelynApril 27, 2021 at 6:05 pm
I own a 2017 GMC Acadia and have the shift to park issue. Had it fixed once under the recall and now a year-ish later it is happening again. It is absolutely frustrating and it can take a long time to get the car to finally recognize it is in park!!! I am often with my kids and can’t be dealing with this. GMC you need to make this right!
JamesApril 10, 2021 at 6:38 am
I have a 2019 with 20,000 miles on it. The dealer has "worked on it" four times with no resolution. My next step is to let the mofo roll down the hill with a note on the dash to contact GM. Fed up with it! Took a chance on an American car and lost!
CynthiaApril 3, 2021 at 1:40 am
I have a 2017 Acadia under 50,000 miles, shift to park notice started yesterday. Went outside tonight, lights on. Took several tries to rid this notice by starting the car repeatedly and moving the shifter back and forth. I live in Missouri, any class action lawsuits here?
TeresaMarch 22, 2021 at 7:05 pm
Sign me up! My problems with my 2017 GMC Acadia Denali started a a year after purchase. My side sensors stopped working and dealership would not fix because I had a minor hit in a parking spot and the dent popped right out. But because the sensor is in that vicinity they wouldn’t repair even though I purchased expensive add on warranty. In January my drivers seatbelt latch stopped working. The shi[Show More]Sign me up! My problems with my 2017 GMC Acadia Denali started a a year after purchase. My side sensors stopped working and dealership would not fix because I had a minor hit in a parking spot and the dent popped right out. But because the sensor is in that vicinity they wouldn’t repair even though I purchased expensive add on warranty. In January my drivers seatbelt latch stopped working. The shift to park issue comes and goes but I can usually get it to park by turning car off in drive and then shifting to park. Sometimes I need to put on extra brake let car go forward without hitting brake then turn off car and shift to park.
LindaMarch 10, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I have a 2018 acadia. Bought it used october 2019 with 32k miles. I have been having this issue off and on since i bought it. I finally had to drop it off today since yesterday i could not get it to go off. I tried to stop at the store on my way home but acadia had other plans for me lol. Finally got it to go off so i could lock the doors for the night. My extended warranty cover the fix of replac[Show More]I have a 2018 acadia. Bought it used october 2019 with 32k miles. I have been having this issue off and on since i bought it. I finally had to drop it off today since yesterday i could not get it to go off. I tried to stop at the store on my way home but acadia had other plans for me lol. Finally got it to go off so i could lock the doors for the night. My extended warranty cover the fix of replacing the shifter assembly and harness. I pay a deductible of $100 for this. I now have 50k miles on it. Hope it does not fail once my extended warranty is up.
KimberlyFebruary 16, 2021 at 2:27 pm
I am experiencing the same issue and when I go to the dealer, I cannot recreate the problem when I am at the dealership and now my car is no longer under warranty anymore.
AaronFebruary 2, 2021 at 8:29 pm
Having same problem on our 2019 with 42k on it. They said it would be $440 to fix it. How do we become part of the class action lawsuit as this is ridiculous to have to waste time trying to get it to register it is in park so I can turn the engine off. GM should be paying for this!
ernaFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:58 pm
same problem here in Canada. not covered.
PalomaJanuary 11, 2021 at 11:45 pm
My 2018 GMC Acadia is sending a shift to park issue and it’s so aggravating to sit in your car trying to turn off called dealer no recalls out of warranty taking it tomorrow to get a new shifter 500.00 dollars cost they need to have a recall on it if it’s such a problem fir everyone
MarilynNovember 28, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Had same problem this past week with our 2018 Acadia. We took it to dealership and they fixed it. Two days later problem is back. Any class action lawsuits in Florida.
CherylNovember 19, 2020 at 5:34 pm
I bought a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu in early September 2020. A week ago, I was experiencing "shift to park" message on the Driver Information Centre. The gear indeed was in park, & the "P" on the gear shift was lit up. After trying several times, moving the gear from P to R, then back to P everything shut off as it should. Then the problem persisted. The car is presently in the Service Department, &[Show More]I bought a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu in early September 2020. A week ago, I was experiencing "shift to park" message on the Driver Information Centre. The gear indeed was in park, & the "P" on the gear shift was lit up. After trying several times, moving the gear from P to R, then back to P everything shut off as it should. Then the problem persisted. The car is presently in the Service Department, & the Service Advisor informs me the entire gear shift assembly (if I've described it correctly) will be replaced. Obviously the problem showed itself to the mechanic. I did take out the extended warranty, so I'm hoping it won't cost me much if anything. Should I continue to have problems with the vehicle, you can be sure I'll get rid of it. Hopefully, the gear shift replacement will end the problem. Good luck to you all. I live in Canada., & from what I've read & learned, it seems this problem is widespread. I have a copy of a GM bulletin explaining the problem & suggestions as to what could be done (as far as repair is concerned) I took a copy of this bulletin to the Service Advisor when I took my vehicle in to have it repaired.
RoseNovember 9, 2020 at 6:18 pm
I had this issue and I took to the dealer and they said it was fixed, but I just had an issue where my vehicle was in park and rolled out into the street with my granddaughter in the car.
CarlosNovember 7, 2020 at 10:12 pm
Have the same problems with ours we just bought a month ago 2017 Acadia
MikeNovember 4, 2020 at 7:23 pm
I'm trying to get my 2017 Acadia back into the shop for a second time for this issue. We were at less than 37500 miles when we had to pay $600.00 for the first fix due to it being out of warranty. Now it's doing it again.
amandaOctober 29, 2020 at 6:45 pm
I have a 2017 acadia that bought new in January 2018. Same problem with shift to park and problem taken in twice to be fixed (did harness 2nd time) and now doing it again. Dealers unable to tell me how it can be fixed.
KarinaOctober 21, 2020 at 3:15 pm
I have a 2019 GMC Acadia and I been having the same problems for over a month now, is getting worse it happened once a week now it seems to be every other day
JamesOctober 1, 2020 at 7:58 pm
we also have a 2017 Acadia Denali with 46000 miles and are extremely frustrated with this "shift to park" problem... how can we join this class action?
mamieSeptember 30, 2020 at 5:47 pm
I had transmission problems and purchased a transmission I had problems turning my truck off I had a leakly roof to the point the radio stop playing due to water damage my speakers and roof. please include me in the lawsuit
AmySeptember 29, 2020 at 2:14 pm
I have just had to pay for the repair at my local dealer. They are saying the shifter and harness are not part of the drive train. How is that possible? You can't drive the car without it.. How do i become a part of this lawsuit?
JenniferSeptember 17, 2020 at 4:35 pm
I own a 2017 GMC Acadia Denali with 55,000 miles and I have an appointment to bring it in to the dealership on September 24, 2020 for shift to park issue. I am so frustrated with this vehicle because I just had it in the shop less than a month ago because my air conditioning stop working and I had to pay $1,500.00 and I was without a car for 4 days. This is ridiculous.
WASeptember 4, 2020 at 11:41 am
I have a 2019 Acadia Denali and just began experiencing this problem with <25,000 miles on the vehicle. Definitely not just a 2017-2018 problem. Super annoying. Can't get an appointment with the dealership to fix this until over a week from now.
BobSeptember 3, 2020 at 9:10 pm
My 2017 GMC Acadia with 16,000 miles has developed a problem when I put it in park. A light comes on to shift into park. I don't want to get stuck.
C FAugust 30, 2020 at 12:30 am
I have a 2017 GMC Acadia and I live in Canada and just got this exact problem fixed! I’m lucky my veh is under warranty so it cost me nothing but I was definitely not pleased about being stranded.
LisaAugust 26, 2020 at 12:43 am
I have a 2019 GMC Acadia. I’m experiencing the shift to park problem. My car is going in for service on 9/9/20. I would like to know if I qualify for the class action lawsuit. I had no idea this was as widespread. Im very upset.
CarolynAugust 25, 2020 at 11:53 am
I had this issue,with my 2019 for quite some time,back in July or did this roll forward into parking block ,busted radiator ,had to have it towed and repair ,still doing it taking g it into dealer ship today 8/25/2020
JacobAugust 19, 2020 at 7:52 pm
I'm pretty sure this problem reaches much further back . is there a reason for limiting it to those years? (I'm guessing for specificity?) Just had this problem on a slightly older modle and the dealership cut ties and refued to honor written agreements or talk with us in late may. Is this why? They literally wont speak with us specifically following this problem.
DebraAugust 16, 2020 at 6:22 am
Having same problems with my 2017 GMC Acadia. It was in the dealer service department over a year ago for this problem. They said they fixed it. Last couple months it has been doing this again but due to the pandemic I don't want to take it back in. I would be interested in joining the lawsuit.
SherylAugust 4, 2020 at 2:54 pm
I am having this same issue. My car is at the dealer now.
RomanAugust 1, 2020 at 2:16 pm
We have a 2018 Acadia SLT and have been to the dealer (now) 4 times for this same issue. The most recent incident was when the car started to roll in reverse even though the car was in park. My dealer has been wonderful about it, but enough is enough, we cannot keep this car and have these constant issues.
IvanJuly 30, 2020 at 3:10 am
I just went to the dealership today to get my shift to park fixed for the 2nd time. I have a 2017 Acadia SLE -2. It now has 44k miles. The issue started at about 25k miles. I took it in several times and they said nothing was wrong. I made sure they noted my account and paper work. One time it did it and I video tape it with the phone. Took the video and showed it to them. By then I was past my wa[Show More]I just went to the dealership today to get my shift to park fixed for the 2nd time. I have a 2017 Acadia SLE -2. It now has 44k miles. The issue started at about 25k miles. I took it in several times and they said nothing was wrong. I made sure they noted my account and paper work. One time it did it and I video tape it with the phone. Took the video and showed it to them. By then I was past my warranty. I told them they need to make this right. They agreed. The dealer ordered the part which took 6 months to come. I called often and they said the part wasn't in yet. Finally it came in and I took it in. The very next day after it was supposedly fixed it did it again. Did it everyday for 5 days straight. I called the dealer, they ordered another part. I waited a few weeks and got it replace today. No charge. If it does it a third time I want them to take this car back. They need to figure out this issue before someone gets in a bad predicament.
AnaJuly 8, 2020 at 9:50 pm
I have a 2018 GMC Acadia, my vehicle also had the shift to park problem, where it didn’t let me turn it off. The first time I took it to the dealership to get it fixed they “fixed” it and three weeks later the same thing happened. This was “covered” by the warranty. The second time actually yesterday 6/7/20 I took it back to sisbarros and they KEPT my vehicle Over night. Mind you they told me we w[Show More]I have a 2018 GMC Acadia, my vehicle also had the shift to park problem, where it didn’t let me turn it off. The first time I took it to the dealership to get it fixed they “fixed” it and three weeks later the same thing happened. This was “covered” by the warranty. The second time actually yesterday 6/7/20 I took it back to sisbarros and they KEPT my vehicle Over night. Mind you they told me we will call you if we need to keep it. Never called at all! I assumed okay they will keep it. Next business day they never called me to even say it was ready. I had to call them! They told me over the phone it was covered by warranty but when I got there they said nope it’s 350.00 dollars! I never got an update on the vehicle to tell me they were going to put a new part on it. Anyways besides the terrible service at sisbarro I’m out $350 and and I can’t believe this issue has been going on for quite sometime that they can’t just issue a recall on it!
LouisJuly 7, 2020 at 10:11 pm
Our 2017 been having shifting problems also dealer put a new harness in that didn’t solve it next a shifter assembly hope this solves it I was ready to disconect the battery last nite been frustrating
AlysonJuly 7, 2020 at 2:46 am
I’ve had the issue since January 2020. The electrical unit in the shift housing console was replaced under warranty. 3 weeks later same problem. Both times the issue has caused my battery to die, now GMC won’t toe to the local dealer but wants me to commute over 1.5 hours to another dealership! Might be time to sell the GM and go with another company for a vehicle
JohnJuly 4, 2020 at 3:22 pm
I am in Oregon and this issue stranded me and my children this past June. My repairs cost over $500 and I was only 1 month out of warranty. I own a 2017 GMC Acadia Denali with 23K miles on it. I would like to be part of a class action lawsuit.
EmilyJune 28, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Having the same issue with my 2017. It happened some time ago and I had it fixed at the dealer- was covered under warranty. Now happening again, but warranty is out. I’m in Missouri. Anyone filing a suit here?
JerryJune 15, 2020 at 3:05 pm
Yep I’m having the same Shift to Park problem with my 2017 GMC Acadia. Any class actions in Missouri?
JoeJune 1, 2020 at 9:39 pm
Purchased a 2017 GMC Acadia and we have same “park” shift problem. Can we get included in the suit.
JamesMay 23, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Had the same thing happen to me in January 2020. Have a 2017 Acadia and because the official warranty period expired in Nov 2019, they charged me $500 to replace the shift assembly, even though I still have less than 36000 miles on the vehicle. I even contacted GMC customer service directly and they offered no relief.
JessicaMay 23, 2020 at 2:57 pm
I also have been stranded due to this shift to park issue in my 2018 gmc acadia. Im hoping it doesnt keep happening.