Gmc Acadia problems
The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors for its GMC division. The first-generation GMC Acadia shared the GM Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook, the Chevrolet Traverse, and the Buick Enclave. The Acadia went on sale in 2006 as a 2007 model in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Acadia replaces three of the 7- or 8-seater vehicles on the Buick-Pontiac–GMC dealership network, the midsize GMC Safari van, the GMC Envoy, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 minivan for the domestic market. As of 2009, the Lambda vehicles have replaced the Buick Rainier, Buick Rendezvous, Buick Terraza, and the GMC Envoy XL and then subsequently the GMC Envoy, Chevrolet TrailBlazer and the Isuzu Ascender. A Denali version of the Acadia debuted for 2011. In 2017, the second generation Acadia was repositioned as a mid-size crossover utility vehicle in order to compete within the growing midsize SUV market against the likes of the Ford Explorer, Edge, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
First generation (2007)
The Acadia represents GMC's entry-level truck-like CUV and is the first unibody vehicle from the marque. It is also GMC's first front-wheel drive passenger vehicle, and also the first such vehicle of any kind since the 1973-78 GMC Motorhome.
The Acadia has seating for eight and either front or all-wheel drive. With a 5,200 lb (2,359 kg) towing capacity, the Acadia slots between the GMC Terrain and the Yukon. The Acadia is the mid-priced Lambda model between the Chevrolet Traverse and Enclave.
In December 2006, all production and sales of the Acadia (and the Saturn Outlook) were temporarily stopped due to the engine mounts not having holes drilled to release accumulated water, as well as an issue with potentially faulty rivets in the load floor just forward of the vehicle's rear hatch. The assembly process was quickly adjusted, and dealership sales of the vehicles had resumed within days of the notice.
The first-generation Acadia was sold alongside its second-generation replacement as the Acadia Limited.
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Gmc Acadia model years
Common Gmc Acadia problems
The GMC Acadia is a popular SUV, but like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues based on complaints from owners:
- Check Engine Light: The check engine light is a common problem in the GMC Acadia, often pointing to a powertrain control module problem. This issue can be fixed with a simple software update. However, if the code points to a known camshaft problem, a technician is needed to complete GM’s prescribed fix.
- Faulty A/C System: Some Acadia model years have struggled with a flawed A/C system, which can lead to decreased cooling performance. The root cause is often an evaporator leak that prevents cooling in one zone or the entire vehicle.
- Engine Problems: Earlier Acadia models, particularly the 2008, 2010, and 2011 models, were prone to engine issues. These problems could lead to the engine slowing down and ultimately stopping in the middle of the road. Many owners had to spend a significant amount of money on engine replacement.
- Power Steering Failures: Some Acadia owners have reported issues with the power steering, especially when making slow turns or during parking. This issue is more common in earlier model years.
- Fuel Gauge Inaccuracies: Some Acadia owners have found that their fuel gauge doesn’t provide accurate readings, leading to instances of running out of fuel unexpectedly.
- Suspension-Related Problems: Drivers have complained about noises from the front end, especially when driving over bumps or rough roads.
- Brakes: Some Acadia owners have raised concerns over squeaking noises or reduced braking efficiency.
- Ignition Switch Problems: Some users have reported problems with the ignition switch, including the vehicle not starting or the key getting stuck.
- Electrical Complaints: Beyond the “Shift to park” issue, the Acadia has had other electrical complaints, such as random warning lights illuminating or the infotainment system rebooting unexpectedly.
- Water Inside the Vehicle: Some Acadia drivers have found water inside their vehicles, especially around the footwells.
While these problems can be frustrating for Acadia owners, it's important to note that not all vehicles will experience these issues. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help prevent many of these problems from occurring or becoming more serious.
Do GMC Acadia have issues?
Common GMC Acadia Problems
Transmission fault: According to RepairPal, GMC Acadias with a six-speed automatic transmission may develop faults related to a broken 35R clutch wave plate within the transmission system. This may lead to symptoms like slipping transmission, harsh/rough shifting, and loss of reverse gear.
Are GMC acadias reliable?
According to repairpal.com, the GMC Acadia scores a three out of five in general reliability. This number puts it at 22nd when compared to 32 similar vehicles, less than ideal for reliability. The annual repair cost of the GMC Acadia is $734, almost $200 more expensive than the average of $573 for other midsize SUVs.
Do GMC acadias last long?
The GMC Acadia can last for over 200,000 miles. Many owners have kept their Acadia SUVs past that mileage with few issues.
What are the pros and cons of the GMC Acadia?
Cost to Drive. We like the Acadia for its comfortable ride, powerful V6 upgrade engine and easy-to-use technology features. Sadly, these advantages are kept in check by its disappointing interior quality, somewhat underpowered base four-cylinder engine, and limited third-row and cargo space.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Gmc Acadia years
We have researched Gmc problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Gmc Acadia cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Gmc Acadia model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Gmc Acadia model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Gmc Acadia years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Gmc Acadia car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Gmc Acadia , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Steering problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Gmc Acadia vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Acadia model years
A total of 125 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Acadia model years
There were a total of 69 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Acadia model years
There were a total of 169 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Acadia model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 4726 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Gmc Acadia . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Gmc Acadia vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Gmc Acadia 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 1GKKVRKDXEJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Gmc Acadia 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 1GKKRRKD4EJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000(Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Gmc Acadia 2012
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 1GKKRREDXCJ
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contacts stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost velocity while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Engine power reduced and service traction control" was displayed temporarily. The contact managed to pull over the shoulder of the road and had the vehicle towed to a local independent service lot where it was diagnosed with metal debris in the engine which required an engine replacement. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Gmc Acadia 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 1GKKNMLS3MZ
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 46,000 miles on my car. Fuel management system failed. Would not start until we unplugged battery, and let it reset. Car lost acceleration and went into neutral on highway.
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: 1GKKNMLS7HZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The "shift to park" warning light comes up every time I put my car in park. I have to move it back and forth multiple times to get it to acknowledge that its in park or the vehicle will not shut off. This is a dangerous situation in that the car could easily roll when I am not in it. I know that this is an ongoing issue with the 2017-2018 GMC Acadia and don't understand why GMC won't issue a recall for this. If this were to cause injury or an accident then they are 100% liable. I started having these issues about a week ago. My husband took it to the dealership and they told him that its not a recall or under warranty. I cannot afford to fix this myself at this point.
Gmc Acadia 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-14
- VIN: 1GKKNXLS0NZ
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: my car (2022 GMC Acadia Denali) died on a busy road (XXX) due to this issue yesterday, the engine just stops at 75 miles per hours, I'm barely made safe to the border of the highway. Fuel management system and Engine electrical system were the errors. The FMCE module need to be replaced as the dealer technician stated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Gmc Acadia 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
- VIN: 1GKKNMLS2PZ
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I purchased my 2023 Arcadia FFWD SLT a few months ago used with 11,000 miles. During the past few months I have noticed when reaching a speed of 45-60 mph the vehicle vibrates. I took the vehicle to the dealership on 10-10-24 and they said they could not find anything but they did not do an intensive problem search. I am concerned the problem may be related to a transmission recall dated 6/23. I did a search but no recalls came up my VIN but the vehicle has a major vibration when going 45-60 mph.
Gmc Acadia 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
- VIN: 1GKKNRLAXKZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that upon arriving at her destination and moving the shifter into the park position, the vehicle failed to recognize that the vehicle was in park. After which, a message displayed reading "Please Shift to Park". The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-09
- VIN: 1GKKNXLS9HZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the gear shifter acknowledged while shifted to park and activated the Press-to-Start button to turn off the vehicle. The message to shift to park was displayed on the instrument panel while the gear shifter was already in park. The dealer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-09
- VIN: 1GKKVSKD7HJ
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a delay in stopping the vehicle. The contact applied more than normal pressure on the brake pedal and allowed more time to stop the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-09
- VIN: 1GKKNTLS0HZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Car will not shut off. Shift to park problem
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-08
- VIN: 1GKKVSKD2HJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: GMC has been unresponsive in servicing the recall for this vehicle as of 10/08/2024. Local dealers indicate they are waiting for parts - related airbags for servicing the recall. As a result, the car is not able to be sold for a fair market value. It is a 2017 model and we are being impacted financially by the issues with this recall and parts that are still unavailable.
Gmc Acadia 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-08
- VIN: 1GKEV33748J
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: The traction control turns on and then the shifts don’t work and I can’t drive since there is no speed also the rpm and the gas the speed and the battery gages start flickering up and down then I turn off the truck and it continues to work fine but after 40 miles or so it does it all again
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-05
- VIN: 1GKKRSKD7HJ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The transmission in the car failed. These failures are a known problem with this vehicle and while attempting to get assistance from GM, they refused to offer any assistance, compensation or otherwise. I understand the transmissions in these models are part of a larger inquiry. I would like to be compensated for having to have the transmission completely rebuilt after less than 7 years of ownership. GM has known and willingly decided not to repair these. While outside of warranty, this is clearly a design and manufacturing flaw.
Gmc Acadia 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 1GKKVSKD1HJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Latest 5 recalls Gmc Acadia
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 71 recalls for different components of the Gmc Acadia.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Gmc Acadia 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-10-12
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 GMC Acadia and 2024 Cadilac XT5 and XT6 vehicles. The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body.
- Consequence: A windshield that is not properly bonded may detach during a crash and increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield and apply primer and urethane sealant. If the windshield is damaged, the dealer will replace it. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 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 N232419690.
- Model: Gmc Acadia 2016
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2024. 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.
- Model: Gmc Acadia 2014
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2024. 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.
- Model: Gmc Acadia 2015
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2024. 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.
- Model: Gmc Acadia 2017
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2024. 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.
Latest negative Gmc Acadia car reviews
Latest positive Gmc Acadia car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2013
You'll be pleasantly surprised by the gas mileage of this AWD vehicle, especially considering its size. It also has tons of cargo space and tows well. Plus, the ride is very nice!
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Vehicle year: 2019
Hi there! I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your second Acadia and all of its new features! It sounds like the Denali's technology package is a real game-changer for you, especially with the lane-keeping and surround camera view. And with all that space and AC capabilities, it's perfect for family road trips! I can definitely understand why you're disappointed that your other cars don't have the same features. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!
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Vehicle year: 2019
I have owned several SUVs in the past, including a 1976 Jeep CJ5, 1996 Chevy Blazer, 1999 Dodge Durango, 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2007 Chevy Tahoe, and 2013 Caddy SRX. Out of all of them, the Chevy's and the Caddy were the best, with the Caddy being the top performer. However, my current ownership experience with the Acadia has surpassed them all. I considered the Pilot and Highlander, but ultimately chose the Acadia SLT-1. The ride and handling are excellent, on par with the Caddy. The 3.6L V6 engine has the best MPG, even better than the 2.7L V6 in the 2003 Hyundai. The Tahoe, being so large, had inherent handling issues, but was still better than the Dodge. What swayed me towards the Acadia were the features it offered, such as leather seating without a sunroof. I only open the sunroof and windows on any of our vehicles when my wife gives a lustful eye when we drive by a convertible. So, the cost savings and GM incentives wiped out the lower depreciation rates on the Pilot and Highlander. Reliability was also a major factor in my decision. I have owned multiple GM cars for 10 years and 100k miles with no problems. Likewise, the Tahoe (100k miles) and SRX (80k miles) were issue-free. I opted for the SLT-1 with the optional 3.6L V6 and towing package.
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Vehicle year: 2010
This is our 4th GMC and first Acadia. I'm really impressed with the vehicle so far. While the mileage isn't great, it's important to consider what you're getting and giving up in mileage. The performance is good for the V6 and the interior space is outstanding compared to competitive models. It doesn't feel like a big ship when driving.
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Vehicle year: 2007
My husband and I love the versatility of the Acadia SUV, which offers a car-like ride. It's perfect for our diversified lifestyle, and our three dogs are always comfortable on longer trips. The cargo space is just what we need when our furry friends aren't with us. Thanks to the trailering package, we can even take our UTV up to our property in the north country with ease. Overall, we highly recommend this vehicle!
Are you having problems with your Gmc Acadia?
John Koch 2025-03-27
Vehicle year: 2012
The size, features, and extras of the car were a perfect match for me and my family. We have two kids who are now entering grade school, so the extra seat for carpool and their stuff was great. However, I have unfortunately experienced some issues with the car's transmission. It seems to slip and jerk constantly, and the most concerning part is that sometimes it takes up to 5 seconds to engage when accelerating from a stop. This delay could be dangerous in an intersection. My wife and I have been working with the dealer to resolve these issues and are currently in the process of returning the car.
Bryce Lindgren 2025-03-26
Vehicle year: 2014
I recently had the opportunity to drive an SUV that I was considering purchasing, but unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. Although the exterior was visually appealing, the interior was made of cheap plastic that did not feel durable. Additionally, the transmission's response was concerning and made me hesitant to accelerate past 40 MPH. As a result, I have decided to explore other options, such as Toyota. Thank you for the opportunity to test drive this vehicle.
Kay Gaylord 2025-03-26
Vehicle year: 2019
I purchased my 2019 GMC Arcadia Denali in June 2020 with 18,000 miles. Unfortunately, I experienced some issues with the car during the 25 months or 10,000 miles that I owned it. These included problems with the front suspension, sunroof, defrost, air conditioning, and air conditioning seats. The thermostat also failed and caused the car to overheat. Despite these issues, I was able to sell the vehicle while used car prices were high. While I had a negative experience with this particular GM product, I remain open to exploring other options in the future.
Zion Carroll 2025-03-22
Vehicle year: 2019
Our 2019 Acadia SLT has had a persistent issue with the gear shift since purchase. Despite initial sporadic occurrences, the problem has now become a significant inconvenience. The vehicle repeatedly alerts us to 'put vehicle into park' and continues to sound a warning until we start and move the car, sometimes requiring multiple attempts to finally register that it is in park. We are confident that this issue can be resolved with the appropriate attention and expertise.
German Sawayn 2025-03-22
Vehicle year: 2009
About a month ago, I took my 2009 GMC Acadia to the dealer because I noticed a smell and steam coming from it. They did some minor repairs and asked me to bring it back in a few days for more work as they spotted a small oil leak but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. The very next day, after driving the vehicle for about 20 miles, when I put it into park, smoke started coming through the vents. It quickly went from what appeared to be overheating, although no warning lights ever came on, to a full-blown fire! Thankfully, I was able to get my children and sister out of the vehicle. I immediately called 911 and the fire responders were able to put the fire out. I am grateful that no one was injured.