NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 GMC Acadia Safety Ratings
The 2020 GMC Acadia scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 94 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 GMC Acadia achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 84/100, placing it in the "Strong" safety band. This rating is significantly influenced by its robust performance in NHTSA's crash tests, which contributed to a solid crash protection sub-score. However, six recall campaigns issued for the model year, alongside the decision to offer critical crash-avoidance technologies as optional rather than standard equipment, limited its overall score.
The 2020 GMC Acadia received an overall 5-star crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 GMC Acadia ranks 52 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 84 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
| Recalls on file | 6 |
| Owner complaints | 94 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 52 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 GMC Acadia?
The 2020 GMC Acadia's recall record presents the most significant concern for this model year. Six separate recall campaigns were opened, addressing critical components such as back-over prevention technology, two distinct tire issues, the automatic transmission, and the fuel pump. This breadth of safety-related defects notably impacted the defect-record sub-score, which stands at 11.5 out of 20. Adding to this picture are 94 owner complaints, primarily focused on electrical, engine, and powertrain issues. Despite these recall and complaint figures, the 2020 Acadia demonstrates robust crash protection. NHTSA awarded 5 out of 5 stars for both frontal and side impact protection, contributing to a strong crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70. However, the avoidance-tech sub-score registers at 6 out of 10. This reflects the optional status of crucial systems like forward collision warning and lane departure warning, indicating that not all vehicles of this model year are equipped with these safety features. Electronic stability control is standard. The overall Safety Index for the 2020 Acadia is 84/100, a two-point decrease from the 2019 model year's 86/100. While both scores fall within the Strong band, this regression is directly attributable to the heavier recall and complaint burden associated with the 2020 model. The car's crash hardware remains strong, but its defect record introduces a clear distinction from its predecessor.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 GMC Acadia perform in crash tests?
The 2020 GMC Acadia FWD achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Its frontal and side crash tests both returned perfect 5-star ratings. The rollover assessment, however, yielded 4 out of 5 stars, noting a 16 percent rollover risk, despite a "No Tip" outcome in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14544
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 GMC Acadia have any recalls?
Six recall campaigns cover the 2020 Acadia. Components addressed include the rearview camera and surround-vision sensing system for back-over prevention, two separate tire-related campaigns involving multiple GM crossovers, the automatic transmission shared with several 2018-2020 GM models, and the gasoline fuel pump. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA22V709000
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
Reported 2022-09-22
TIRES21V115000
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Reported 2021-02-25
TIRES20V684000
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-4
Reported 2020-11-05
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION20V668000
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this reca
Reported 2020-10-29
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP20V639000
Risk: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
Reported 2020-10-15
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR20V446000
Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Reported 2020-07-30
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 GMC Acadia?
Ninety-four owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Acadia, including alleged involvement in 4 crashes and 2 injuries. These are unverified consumer allegations. The most frequently reported components are the Electrical System (26 reports), Engine (23), and Power Train (21), followed by Steering (14) and Fuel/Propulsion System (9).
94 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 GMC Acadia?
All six recall campaigns for the 2020 GMC Acadia must be confirmed as remedied before purchase. Shoppers should use NHTSA's VIN lookup tool to verify the status of these federal safety obligations, particularly for the tire, fuel pump, and transmission systems.
- The 2020 Acadia's Safety Index of 84/100 is two points lower than the 2019 model year's 86/100, a decline driven by six recall campaigns and a defect-record sub-score of 11.5 out of 20.
- NHTSA awarded this specific model year a perfect 5 stars in both frontal and side crash tests, but the rollover rating sits at 4 out of 5 stars with a 16 percent rollover risk measurement.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional on the 2020 Acadia, not standard, meaning the avoidance-tech sub-score of 6 out of 10 applies only to units equipped with those options.
- Two separate tire recall campaigns and one fuel-pump recall were opened against the 2020 Acadia, making VIN-specific recall verification a critical step for any used-market buyer of this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 GMC Acadia places
The 2020 GMC Acadia qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 GMC Acadia safety questions
Was the 2020 GMC Acadia crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 GMC Acadia, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 GMC Acadia crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 GMC Acadia earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Acadia have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 GMC Acadia. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 GMC Acadia?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 94 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 GMC Acadia. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Acadia years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14544), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the GMC Acadia 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 52 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.