2016 GMC Acadia maintenance schedule

The 2016 Acadia is part of the Lambda generation (2014-2016), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 Acadia needs, and when

1 of these 12 items comes from GMC's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to GMC's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Requires dexos1 full synthetic

7,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Engine air filter

Inspect at oil changes; 45,000 mi is a check cadence, not a confirmed replacement interval

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent
Cabin air filter

Replace more frequently in dusty environments

22,500 mi / 2 yearsIndependent
Tire rotation

Check tread wear and balance

7,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Brake fluid60,000 mi / 5 yearsIndependent
Engine coolant

DEX-COOL drain and replenish

150,000 mi / 5 yearsIndependent
Transmission fluid

Severe duty interval

45,000 miIndependent
Spark plugs45,000 miIndependent
Serpentine belt

Inspect accessory drive belts

150,000 mi / 10 yearsIndependent
Differential and transfer case fluid

For AWD models

45,000 miIndependent
PCV valveInspect, replace as neededManufacturer
12V battery

Test cold-cranking amps annually

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-30, 5.5 qt
Coolant
DEX-COOL
Transmission fluid
DEXRON-VI

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.6L 6-cyl (LLT), 288 hp, 6-Speed Automatic 6T75, FWD/AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 Acadia owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

6T75 transmission failure

high severity

80,000-120,000 mi · $2,500-$4,000 to fix

Harsh shifting, no reverse

Source: boltautocare.com

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 GMC Acadia

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at GMC dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

May 2023

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.

Remedy: 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.

April 2021

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.

Remedy: 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.

December 2015

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.

Remedy: 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

NHTSA 15V609000

September 2015

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.

Remedy: 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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$744
Five years of maintenance
$3,720
The major service near 100,000 mi
$1,200

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Acadia model years

C1XX-3 (2024-2026)

C1XX (2017-2023)

Lambda (2014-2016)

Shopping new? The GMC Acadia guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-19. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an Acadia for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 Acadia earns before you buy it.

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