GMC TruckAcadia2021Overview/gmc-truck/acadia/2021/base/

2021 GMC Truck Acadia

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Acadia.

The 2021 GMC Acadia is a model-year entry in the lineup’s 2007–2026 complaint record, specified with a 5.28-quart 0W-20 engine-oil fill. It has accumulated 145 owner complaints and 2 recalls, with the Fuel/Propulsion System cited as the top complaint area. That volume sits well below the model’s 2008 high of 857 complaints and above the 2026 low of 5, marking the 2021 Acadia as a comparatively moderate year in the model’s tracked reliability history.

Model year2021202020162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.28 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255/65R17 110SOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5, Optional: 8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377 alt 12727115
Engine air filter23321606
Spark plug12646780 alt 12680074
Battery88866098 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades84586337 alt 84580859
Serpentine belt12649097 alt 12664598
Thermostat55516369 alt 12630780
Cabin air filter13508023

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.28 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3 - 6.3 QTS
Brake FluidDot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity11.0 qt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity11.3 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)27.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug8.83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 23.0-; Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.102; Rear: .866
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .001; Rear: .002
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28°37 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 190°22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M8 Bolts11 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°15 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40°22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Hidden 9th Bolt: 18.018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2021 GMC Truck Acadia top in one area — the fuel/propulsion system, 16 of 145 reports (11%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the fuel/propulsion system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 6 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel/propulsion system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
843
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
145
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 145 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System16
Engine13
Service Brakes12
Electrical System10
Power Train8
Unknown Or Other7
Air Bags6
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V422000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 03/06/2021

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer…

22V709000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 22/09/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 843 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
N25-2505522026-03-20Unknown Or OtherImprovements to OnStar functionality.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Acadia. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Acadia take?

5.28 qt of Dexos1 Gen 2 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Acadia have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.