Multiple GMC Acadia Owners Report ‘Shift To Park’ Issue
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Multiple GMC Acadia owners have reported a similar problem with the crossover’s transmission.
Columbus ABC affiliate ABC6 recently spoke to a Westerville, Ohio family who had been experiencing problems with their 2018 GMC Acadia. They claim the crossover will sometimes fail to recognize that it has been put into park, flashing a message on the dash instructing the driver to “shift to park” even when the gear lever have already been moved to the ‘P’ position.
This sounds like the same problem experienced by a number of other GMC Acadia owners currently involved in a class action lawsuit against GM. The plaintiffs in the class action suit, which is being led by Connecticut attorney Sergei Lemberg, say their 2017 and 2018 model GMC Acadia crossovers will instruct them to “shift to park” even when the vehicle is already in park. As a safety measure, the vehicle will refuse to fully shut off or lock when it is not in park, leaving the owner stranded. One plaintiff in the suit took their vehicle to a GM service center, where mechanics were able to confirm the problem, but told her there was no fix available at this time.
The problem may also lead to the vehicles rolling away. The Ohio family ABC6 spoke to said their GMC Acadia once displayed the “shift to park” message when the vehicle was already in park, but when they got out of the vehicle, it rolled down the driveway with one of their children still inside. They have also taken their car into a GM service center, where employees identified a sensor problem and replaced the faulty part, but they claim the problems persisted.
GM has posted a technical service bulletin acknowledging the shift to park problem, though there is still no fix available. ABC6 was also able to track down other GMC Acadia owners who experienced this problem when they voiced their concerns through online forums.
Limberg, the attorney leading the class action case over the problem, says GM’s position on the matter is that there is “no legal claim for the reasons,” his clients maintain in the lawsuit. He said that GM also argues “the problem is small and insignificant,” and it can therefore not be held responsible for it. The automaker has already sought to have the suit thrown out.
Notably, the refreshed 2020 GMC Acadia ditches its traditional gear select lever for the Electronic Precision Shift system, which uses buttons to change gears instead.
Have you experienced this issue with your 2017 or 2018 model year GMC Acadia? You can let us know in the comment section below.
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Source: ABC6/Car Complaints
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2016-2020 Malibus also suffer from this issue so it’s not isolated to the Acadia. Check any Malibu owner’s forum and you’ll see this same issue brought up often by owners.
I HAVE A 2018 Acadia with 19ooo miles ,purchased car on 04/20/2018. Started having shift to park issue on 05/ 01/2021. Haven’t taken lot dealer yet looking for best option so fix is perminent.
This is the second time I have had the issue am taking to a dealer at the end of June to see what they say
Me too
I had the same problem two times with my GMC Acadia 2017
I ha e a 2017 Acadia. I have the same problem. Sometimes it takes up to 20minutes of shifting into park before it shifts into park. What a waste of gas.
I am having the same problem with my 2019 Acadia.
I have the same problem with my 2017 Acadia.
I to had this problem. Took car into dealer for a second time and they said they received notice from GM about shift in park “harness mechanism ” being at fault here.
Replacement done and I had to pay for it. But its done and dealership says no one has had to come back for replacement, yet.
What is the cost for a dealer to fix this Shift to Park problem for a 2019 GMC Arcadia Denali?
Would you mind sharing the cost of this repair, and the city and state where the work was done? We have a 2017 Acadia, and are having the same problem.
Our 2017 was repaired this year and the total cost was $700.00. We had rewards of about $100.00 so we ended up paying a little over $600.00. I’m in Florida.
We were fortunate to be under extended warranty so it was our $100 deductible l.
We were fortunate to be under extended warranty so it was our $100 deductible. It would have been $500 without. They replaced my shift harness.
I have a 2017 GMC Acadia and am experiencing this same problem. Shift to park message when i am already in park. Must resort to all kinds of shenanigans to turn my car off, this is not right. Will be my first and last GMC vehicle.
2018 Acadia shift to park issues also. Now with 70k miles my Acadia will not move. Starts, can put into drive or reverse and remains in neutral. Disgusting!
I have a 2017 Acadia Denali and have had the shift into park issue twice. The first time it was within 6 months after new purchase in 2017. The second time was fall of 2022. This is crazy! Has anyone had a successful fix? GM should do better than this. It’s so disappointing.
I’m having the same issue with my 2019 Acadia. I’m worried about my safety and disappointed that from what I’m reading GMC doesn’t want to take responsibility for the issue. You pay purchase a your Acadia and spend a lot of money because this car does not come cheap and now we have to deal with malfunctions on our Acadia’s. Maybe if the new media will get involved GMC would do the right thing by their customers.
I am having same problem with my 2019 ACADIA. Alarms continue to ring when engine is turned off but alarms keep on ringing. Shift to park is displayed on the screen over the steering column, After several atemps of start and stop and fiddling with gear shift the alarms finally stop. Sounds ike a sensor issue to me. I Just took my car to dealer today. They are charging me $150.00 to diagnose. They said they would apply this money towards any fix they determine.
Posting this on 5/22/23 – I have a 2019 Acadia bought brand new. In 2021 it started having electronic issues… ( which I believe was the main computer component).. Dealer corrected it under warranty. Now at 77k miles – it has started the “shift to park” issue. Car is now out of warranty, and dealer said I’d have to pay for the replacement. GM should be responsible as this is a known, widespread issue of weak component/parts. Not right to have the customer’s pay for replacement.
Have same problem with my 2017 Acadia. Dealer could not get it to reaccure there for it doesn’t exist. This started to happen on a busy road way as I was driving, had to nurse car to nearest road to pull off.
I am also experiencing this issue. 2017 GMC Acadia.
I just started getting the Shift to Park on my dashboard when I turn off my 2017 GMC Acadia again! Had this happen in 2019. What’s going on? Is a recall going to be sent?
I have a 2017 Acadia & started having the shift to park issue in 2019 & have had it ever since
Just spent $600 to fix this issue. Hope it works, but so disappointed with GMV
Yes, I have had this issue two times with my 2017 Acadia.
I have a 2018 GMC Acadia Denali that had the shift to park issue. Had it fixed in 2021 and is now doing the same thing in 2023.
My sister and I both had 2017s and both had it replaced twice under warr if it happens again out of warr ima be freak out !!!!! This has been going on for years what’s it take to get it as a recall issue ??? Sooooooo many comments over the years I’m beyond shocked it hasn’t gotten a solution
My 2017 Acadia experienced this a couple of years ago at 13,000 miles. Dealer first replaced wiring harness and resumed at first stop on the way home. Was lucky enough to have it done under warranty and get a rental. Dealer replaced shifter assembly; “fix” worked until a month ago and issue resumed. A couple of days ago, I started the Acadia and the climate control system is dead: no ac or heat and dash panel is dead. 22,000 miles now, and have service appointment day after tomorrow. Fixing to raise hell.
Hi checking the update what happen when you went on dealership my AC isn’t working and I’m getting other error codes now and the thermostat is stuck open plus some steering message this is getting old I’m about to swear off Gmc for good 🙁 sad bc I really like my Acadia and had planned to trade in but not with them not fixing their issues and leaving us all stranded some literally
We have a 2019 GMC Acadia that flashes the “shift to park” alert almost every time we attempt to turn off the vehicle.
I also had this problem with my 2019 Silverado. They finally had to REPLACE everything from the steering column to the transmission. Only after 6 trips to the dealership, my truck was 2 days away from the warranty expiring!
If you do a little bit of research you will find that this problem affected the Malibu and Traverse.
There is a service bulletin out on this that originally had the shiftier replaced and not they have a harness that fixes the issues.
All that is happening is the resistance is high in the harness and it is not sending a strong enough signal to the BCM to signal it is in park.
If anyone has this issue just take it to the dealer and they will easily fix it.
TSB Bulletin No.: 18-NA-297 or Refer to Bulletin #19-NA-206 for additional information and part numbers.
Intermittent Shift to Park Message
October 16, 2019
There may be an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the vehicle has been shifted to Park and the ignition has been turned to the Off position (Fig. 32) on some 2016-2019 Malibu, Volt; 2017-2019 Acadia; 2018-2019 Traverse; and 2019 Blazer models. The Shift to Park message may be the result of a build-up of material on the contacts of the Park switch when it is activated in the transmission control (shifter) assembly. The excessive material may cause a higher than expected resistance in the signal circuit to the Body Control Module (BCM), and not allow the BCM to electronically see that the vehicle is in Park, even though the vehicle transmission is in the Park position.
If this condition is present, the BCM will turn on the Shift to Park message and not allow the ignition to turn off, leaving the ignition in Accessory mode. To reduce the inrush of current that causes the excessive build-up on the contacts, install an in-line shifter wiring harness jumper (Fig. 33) between the shifter base connector and the console harness connector.
Clean the Electrical Contacts
With the vehicle in Park and the ignition off, remove the transmission control (shifter) lever knob and boot assembly. (Fig. 34)
Next, clean the Park Switch electrical contacts by depressing the actuation rod fully and then releasing the rod. Use the flat side of a trim stick or your thumb and allow the rod to “snap” back to the full up position. (Fig. 35) Repeat the cleaning procedure 50 times. It’s critical to clean the electrical contacts to ensure a proper repair.
After completing the cleaning procedure, start the vehicle and verify that the Shift to Park message is not displayed on the DIC. If the Shift to Park message is still displayed, replace the transmission control (shifter) assembly. A newly design transmission control assembly is now available.
Install Jumper Harness
If the Shift to Park message is not displayed, install the jumper harness. Remove the front floor console trim plate and disconnect the body harness from the transmission control assembly. (Fig. 36)
TIP: To gain access to the shift control wiring connector, it will be necessary to remove only the front floor console trim plate. However, on some models, it may be necessary to remove the front floor console trim plate and reposition the console assembly
Install the in-line shifter wiring harness jumper between the shifter base connector and the console harness connector. The jumper harness should not be twisted or kinked in a 90 degree position. (Fig. 37)
Start the vehicle and verify that the Shift to Park message is not displayed. Reinstall the front floor console trim plate and any other trim panels as well as the transmission control lever knob and boot assembly.
Refer to Bulletin #19-NA-206 for additional information and part numbers.
The Change over had nothing to do with the shifter. Automakers are just eliminating shifters as the buttons and knobs are cheaper and easier to place with the new electronic controlled transmissions.
This info can be found at GM Techlink on the web Search Acadia.
The lawyer picked the wrong problem for class action as it is easily resolved in less than 2 hours at any GMC dealer.
I know of that bulletin but several Malibu owners aren’t having this happen during warranty so they’re stuck with rather hefty bills to fix the problem. There are also Malibu owners who had this fix with the new harness and the issue was NOT resolved. There are long threads about this issue going back over 2 yrs. on chevymalibuforum.com Gen9 forum.
GM has a design flaw on their hands and they need to step up and cover the repairs out of pocket and issue an extended warranty for this issue. The lawsuit is completely justified since this has been going for years and affects the Malibu, Acadia, Traverse plus the latest generation of Blazer and Volt (according the latest TSB on the issue).
scott3 AKA C8.R,
WHY, WHY !!!!!!!!
Does it take a class action law suit to get these simple fixes done ?
Talk to me as a human here, and not a piece of $hit, please.
If these customers are taking their vehicles to a GM dealership, and the GM dealership can NOT do the simple fix you have laid out, what is your answer ?
I would bet the customer then called the GM number and got directed right back to the dealer that could not help them in the first place.
If you were GM, GM was your private company, and this fix seems so simple, how would you handle it ?
Your personal reputation was on the line.
Ring, ring, ring, hi I am calling because your workers said they could not fix my shifting into park trouble, and my child was in danger as my vehicle rolled away – – – – – – –
And you C8.R respond how ?
You get treated for what you are.
#1 the fix came in before the law suit.
#2 most dealers replaced the shifter to start with and then they found the wire issue so they redesigned the shifter.
#3 they tested the fix over a period of time.
#4 they then went to the vender to make the changes and corrected the harness.
#5 they not have made the harness jumper to make the fix even easier.
#6 the clear fix is included in not Service bulletin numbers provided.
This is not a fix that happens in days it took time to find it and then resolve it as not all shifter were affected and even those who were it was intermittent. If you have ever worked on a vehicle with intermittent electrical issues you know you can not find it unless it is in the fail mode.
The problem here may was identified not as a GM design issue but a supplier issue. I had heard GM was after them to help pay for the replacements of the flawed units.
Problem identified, problem solved, problem tested, then problem corrected.
Not even dealers are taking care of the Malibu models out of warrant per the forum post I have read. They cover the $650 unit for the customer.
FYI no ones child was in danger. The vehicle would go into park. The message just said it was not in park. It would not let the key out of the ignition. After a couple shits the signal would be recieved.
Hence if you note this is a service bulletin not a recall as the car is not unsafe to use. Just annoying.
GM handled this as would any company in the industry.
Now what about a Ford trucks with defective tailgates and fires now. Why are you not there posting?
You can play with the ratings all you like as I don’t care. It is funny the negatives only go to unreal numbers when you are around. You have nothing else to do in the padded cell?
All I heard here from you scott3 aka C8.R is blah, blah, blah, then
Why would GM be any better than Ford.
Is that where you really think GM should be ?
Mommy all the other kids are doing it, it must be ok, says C8.R.
Don’t you think GM should be better ?
Why when GM has a known faulty part issue do you come back with,
All the rest of the kids are doing it !!
You really just don’t have one original thought if GM doesn’t tell you what to say, do you ?
Over.
Yes I’m having the same thing with shift to park message coming up when it’s already in park but I have a 2019 Acadia. We are very afraid it is gonna leave us stranded or worse it will roll off one day.
I, too, have a 2019 Acadia and have the same problem. Dealer says replacing the harness works 50% of the time. They recommend replacing the entire shifter, at my expense.
Had this problem in early October, 2019 with about 23,000 miles on my 2017 Acadia Denali. Took it in for service. Whatever they did, it was fixed in a couple of hours and the problem has not happened since.
my 2017 just started at 24,000 miles too. Hope the dealership will resolve the issue without cost to me since it is a known issue. Taking it in on Monday.
Mine was at 18000 and it took the dealer over 3 days and a complaint to the manager to get it fixed. GM did eat most of the cost though.
My 2018 GMC Acadia is also saying on the dash that I Need to put the car in park when it is in park. Very aggravating. Went to the dealer about it and was told that they could check it out for $128.00 service charge that my vehicle was out of warranty. GMC should fix since it’s an occurring problem with other owners. Not going to buy another GMC if they don’t stand behind there product.
I have a 2017 Acadia with 18237 miles. I just started getting the “ shift to park” msg within the last 2 weeks ( Feb 2021).
Has there been any new solution to this issue?
Thanks
My 2017 had the shifter assembly replaced under warranty. As to a long term permanent fix, I don’t know.
I have same problem with my 2017 Acadia. Back twice during bumper to bumper warranty and still fails. Took it back last week and they tell me GMC won’t cover it but the shifter harness is too short and they want $350 to put in the new part. This is a safety issue and the Feds need to get involved to force GM to fix it or give us new cars under the Lemon Law. Time to give up buying new GM vehicles.
My solution was to contact lemon law. com. I am suing GM. Had it fixed three times. Lease was up so I brought it back.
‘ll
I am a 2017 Acadia owner with 32,000 miles and it just started doing this shift to park message. My husband, 18 year old son and I all have experienced this at different time while driving this vehicle. We do not drive the Acadia on a regular basis so when it first started we really didn’t think much of it just kept re-shifting it into park until it recognized it. I would like to get it fixed as it is more annoying than anything for us. Also embarrassing when we have family or friends as passengers and they have to wait on us to get it to go into park until we can leave the vehicle. Everyone gives us compliments on the vehicle until they get to see this ordeal.
Same issue with my 2017 Acadia, car has about 90,000 miles. Had major issues with the transmission in January and it took three months to get a new transmission. Finally had car up and running and now the shift to park issue. Back and forth, shift, move car a few inches too, back and forth, shift, etc. Sometimes it takes three or four tries before I can have it register that I am actually in park and I can turn my car off. In a parking lot people probably wonder what am I doing. Heading in to dealership Wednesday. Off warranty too.
Did the Dealership end up fixing it for free. I take mine in next week.
They fixed mine the 1st time for free because it was still under 60,000 miles. The 2nd and 3rd time my extended warranty payed for it but I had to pay $100 deductible.
Mine started at 24,000 miles also. I’m out of warranty and dealer wants $339 to fix.
Called GM and they said to call dealer. Haha
the park issue on my 2017 GMC Acadia denila drained my battery, I now have it in the shop having the part replaced. 389.00 for part. hope I don’t have any future problems. 30,000 miles on vehicle
Supposedly my shifter in my GMC Acadia 2017 was replaced two years ago at the dealer. Now a year and a half later it is doing this again. So the problem was not solved.
Please Acadia owners let’s get together and put up bill boards for people not to buy GMC cars until they address problems on our cars.
Great info C*.R…. my 2017 Acadia SLT goes to shop on 12/29. 44,000 miles.
I would fire every JA that worked on the Push Button System internally as well as everyone who signed off on it, outsource a fix to the OEM that pushed the crummy system on the designers and engineers, and or have an in-house switch to something more convenient and conventional!
A mechanical switch to physically actuate electronic controls is not a bad thing. It just costs more! Then again if GM were my company, Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, Pontiac would still be with us as one product line, with each brand selling only the models that fit the persona of the brand. Buick would be an electric only version of the same cars with completely unique designs. GMC would be a Global brand, with shared platforms, and 7/8 scale bodies and a premium design and build while being sold in the PBHOV Dealerships globally. Cadillac would be a Rolls-Royce & Bentley competitor with a traditional *LS and *TS Trims, with *LS being Luxury=Fuel Cell, and *TS being Touring=Hybrid V** engines and a $100,000 dollar price increase over the *LS models.
82% of the Business employees globally would be gone, and every division would have independent Management, Design, and Engineering, with a Global Corporate Parts Bin to use as needed for things like Lug Nuts, Blower Motors, Struts, etc.
And to top it off, this ugly Converse shoe of a car would have never seen the light of day to begin with! So, I guess in the end, everything else would have solved this problem before it began!
How does a person get involved in the lawsuit? This is happening to my 2018 Acadia and the dealer has no idea how to fix it.
My 2018 Arcadia has started saying shift to Park after I cut it off and the ringer is going off. What can I do ??
Just cost me $695.00 to have my 2018 fixed with this issue.
Have there been any subsequent updates or changes since December. It is now July and I’m still having problems.
I have contacted my local GMC dealer twice to remedy this problem and both times I was told the item is on order but there is limited supply to correct the defect. My initial contact was about 8 months ago. With one service associate instructing me to “just keep turning my ignition on and off until the car registers that it is indeed in park” with my concern being damaging the transmission by doing this. My husband luckily realized you can press the lever on the shifter to also manipulate the “sensor” However I did this tonight in a parking garage and the shifter shifted out of the park position while parked on a slight incline and the whole vehicle rolled into a parking barrier damaging my front bumper!
My 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is in the Service Dept. for exactly as you described. When speaking with my Service Advisor this morning, he tells me the shift control assembly will be replaced. When I first took the vehicle to Service, I did tell the advisor to keep the car until it replicated the problem. Obviously, this is what happened.
Hopefully, replacing the shift control assembly will eradicate the problem. Your statement jumped out at me…” it is easily resolved in less than 2 hrs at any GMC dealer’. Here’s hoping you were right!!!
C8.R – excellent explanation ! Although I have not had this issue with my 2019 Traverse. I have been following along on the Traverse forum, and indeed there are also a number of 2018 owners who have confirmed the same fix that you have described above.
I had read about this and thought it must have been difficult to locate the poor signal as it was intermittent but still there.
Vehicles just don’t get any easier to fix or build.
Sooooo let me get this straight about the family mentioned, you noticed the display showing “shift to park” but still got out of the vehicle without any hesitation with your child in the back????
But 2017-2018 acadias they don’t have the 9 speeds though? Don’t they have the 6-speed?
This happened to my 2017 Acadia a few months ago. The dealership replaced the shifter and have not had any problems since, keeping our fingers crossed.
You should be good as the shifter was redesigned.
But C8.R,
What about the customers who still have the old faulty shifter design ?
Again just like GM you avoid them ?
Not all are bad. If it is take it to the dealer and get it fixed.
This was a supplier issue and it did not affect every shifter. Even the ones affected it was intermittent.
No children were in danger as it did go into park just a message would say it was not. Also the key may not come out. Unsafe no annoying yes.
I have driven a vehicle with this issue and know first hand what the problem was like.
Who is avoiding what. Got a problem take it in and get it fixed.
My post to your other post will need approved. Not sure why it was held as I did not call you what you are. Lol!
Would that be crazy again ?
But seriously then,
Take and get it fixed at whos expense ?
If this is – was a free fix, again WHY, WHY, is there another CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT !
Someone is missing something here.
YOU ARE !
The dealers are NOT fixing these ” KNOWN FAULTY PARTS ” as you have just explained, free of charge !!
WHY, WHY, WHY, would you go to a lawyer if it was fixed FREE !!
Just like when YOU got your 8 speed junk transmission fixed for FREE, the people who went to the lawyers DID NOT !
AGAIN why, WHY, WHY, is this so hard for you to understand !!!!
GM has ZERO customer support !
In my opinion.
I am on my second fix now on my 2017 Acadia. Yes, the first fix the dealer fixed free as on warranty. Now, 2 years later it broke again. Guess who has to pay this time. Dealer said wait for a recall notice if GM loses the lawsuits. notice plural, and bring in my receipt and I can then be reimbursed. Guess GM is not interested in repeat customers.
This is happening with my 2017 Acadia with a little over 39,000 miles on it. Is it something the dealer will cover the cost?
I just called my dealer and was told it would be $380 repair in my 2017 Acadia SLT with 38,800 miles. I will be following up with GMC.
We purchased our 2017 Acadia, NEW about 2 yrs. ago in January 2018 ( had 24 miles on the odometer). Now has just over 30,000 miles, we are experiencing same “shift to park” problem described above. I ALWAYS set the park brake due to this issue (which is not reassuring). Taking it to GMC dealer.
I have that issue with my 2017 GMC Acadia, which is now out of warranty.
Go to the dealer and see what they will do. The Malibu drivers have reported they are getting it fixed or they are at least getting most of it covered.
Most dealers are helping if you have one that is not go to a better dealer. Larger good service dealers are generally the best.
Our dealer won’t do anything – I paid out of pocket for them to try to reset the system and now have to pay out of pocket for them to replace. Doubly annoyed that it takes multiple trips and multiple times paying for something that should be covered since it is such a widespread issue.
Let me help you Dan.
Forget about it, go to an independent tech in your town and have them fix it for you.
Or fix it yourself.
GM will DO NOTHING FOR YOU.
YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY !!
AND YES GM KNOWS THIS IS A FAULTY PART !!
But it simply does not matter, you are out of warranty and that is how GM as a company operates.
You will be much better off NOT dealing with GM after your warranty is up, they will NOT do anything for you and it costs more to get fixed !
C8.R is a GM guy, he will not personally help you either !
In my opinion
How do you fix it yours
Ed? Are there instructions and part number available anywhere?
Even when your power train warranty is still in effect, this is not a covered issue.
That’s what I was told just yesterday. GMC told me it’s going to cost me $526 to fix the issue on my 2019 Acadia.
Shift to park was a major issue with my 2017 acadia. The car was 1 yr old when it would not turn off at a softball tournament in June of 2018. I had the shift to park message and I could not get my car to turn off. I went to hudson valley Cadillac and was told that they would order the part. It took over a month to come in, replaced my gear shift. For over a month I left my car unlocked and on in parking lots, no loaner provided. Then under 1 year later I receive the shift to park message again. I left my car unlocked in aparking lot with shift to park on ignition after attempting to turn it off for over an hour. SHIFT TO PARK IS AN ISSUE!! GM should compensate owners for time,stress, and inconvenience this malfunction causes owners.
We had same problem with our 2017 Acadia. It got so bad it killed the battery, had car towed to dealer 27 miles away ( we paid for the tow). They said we were wrong when we told the tech about the shift problem. It is only the battery we were told, replaced the battery and we took it home. We returned to the dealership the next day and had the shifter Cable replaced. Hopefully this is the last time.
The cables is not what is wrong note my first post with the service bulletins that have the correction.
We have a 2019 GMC Acadia . It is 3 yrs old, and it has started doing the same . I shift into Park and it starts dinging. It reads shift in to park. I pull it out of gear and back to park , but it keeps doing the same thing. Frustrated
Keep your fingers crossed, I received a shift to park message less than 1 year after my first gearshift was replaced
I had that issue early this year and my dealer changed without asking me. The technician tell me it was around 20 issues at that time.
My 2018 Acadia began doing this intermittently about a month ago. My dealer said he has heard a wire harness has been tried to fix the problem but he ordered one for a customer a month ago and has not received one from GMC yet. The one thing that we have found for now is that when the message comes up if we squeeze the switch on the backside of the shifter the message goes away. To me that may be a temporary answer because I think long term the problem will persist and probably get worse.
2017 Acadia started having same problem in late summer. Little over 12,000 miles, so was still under warranty. Left it at dealer Friday-Wednesday and was told they could replicate the problem and to pick car up. First stop on way home and got the error again. This time, it was there for a month while waiting on a new wiring harness. Picked it up and problem reoccurred on second stop. Was in for six weeks waiting for new shift assembly to arrive. So far so good after two weeks. If it happens again, I’ll pursue redress through the Texas lemon law.
I own a 2018 GMC Acadia Denali and have experienced the problem of ding ding ding, ‘shift to park’ the only constant factor I’ve be able to recognize is that it occurs when I’m parked on flat ground. Sometimes I’ve wiggle the gear shift, others I’ve set my parking park. Once in a while I can open the door and it stops. There’s no rhyme or reason. Waiting on a recall
No recall but there are two service bulletins that will fix this.
Where’s the recall bulletin on this service parking brake? My car has been stuck for couple days in the parking lot due to my parking brake is stuck. It’s bad enough with the pandemic happening and all the shops are closed. To make it worst, I’m currently station in Belgium away from any Chevrolet/GMC/GM Dealers. I really regret buying this 2018 GMC ACADIA.
We are going through this currently on our 2018 acadia denali. This vehicle is too expensive to be having the problem, GM needs to step up a d take care of this dangerous issue!
Don’t worry Shaun McHenry,
scott3 aka C8.R says its not a dangerous issue !
He and GM of course will do nothing for those who have this exact ” FAULTY PART ” issue, and are out of warranty !!
Unless this is deemed, by the government , a personal safety issue, not by you or other owners of the vehicle, GM does NOTHING to help owners out of warranty.
NO EXCEPTIONS !!!!!
Some dealers mite work with some people, but it is up to the dealer owner, not GM.
GM has ZERO customer support !!!
In my experience.
I was lucky enough to get Enterprise rentals at (mostly) GM’s expense for my Acadia’s two lengthy stays at a dealer BECAUSE it was still under warranty. IF problem ever reoccurs, my legal position will be that the problem was never remedied so the new shift assembly, wiring harness and jumpers started a new warranty for that particular issue at 0 miles/0 months.
I’m a retired disabled woman with an 80 year old husband. Wanted to buy a dependable car through my reputable dealer. Shift to park has started coming on. !?!?!? When I read the comments on this forum, I think I should go back to Cadillacs. They are better to their customers and much more concerned!!! I should have thought twice when I was informed of 60,000 mile warranty… now what do I do???
I have a 2017 Acadia Denali. We have the issue. Have taken it I’m twice to have fixed. After the second time, we traded it in.
I own a 2017 GMC Acadia Denali. I had the same shift into park message with the shift lever clearly in park. Dash message was displayed and car would not properly power down after pressing the start stop button.
I took the vehicle to the GMC Dealer where I purchased it and they replaced the shifter assembly. Problem solved. But now I am concerned that the issue may come back. The Good news I bought the 10 year, 100K mile extended warranty.
Please keep an eye on it. My car was 11 months old and had the very same issue. The dealership put a new shifter in and problem solved. Now, 10 months later it is going back in for the same issue. I also had to replace the battery last month. I bought my car new and it is a 2018 Acadia Denali.
Same story for me. I purchased my 2018 Acadia new and within the first year experienced the shift to park issue. It was under warranty and repaired. One year later it happened again and was repaired. Now the car is not turning on at all as it doesn’t recognize that it’s in park to start up and it’s being towed to the dealership today. I haven’t even owned the car for two years. Would the lemon law apply or is there a class action in my state of Florida as well?
I have A 2017 GMC Acadia Denali, I’ve had it fixed at 16,900 miles, and again at 45,000. The battery had to be replaced as well. It’s super frustrating. $600 (with the warranty as well).
My 2018 Acadia is now doing this! And now does not wanna start all the time! Very frustrated reading all these comments and not having a recall on this issue!
Happening right now with my 2017 Acadia.
I have turned it on and moved the shifter out of park then put it back in park at least 20 times and it won’t shut down. It keeps showing SHIFT TO PARK. This is the 2nd time with this car!!! I had it repaired last year!!
So frustrating.
Why just 2017 or 2018?? My 2010 will give me the same message at times! It doesn’t matter the conditions I’m parked in either. There’s also times when in park the vehicle will continue to roll a little bit.
We just had our vehicle fixed on Dec 10th 2019. The dealer installed a new Trans Control Module, works correctly now. Had the same issue as other owners, message was shift to park on the cluster, it was a intermittent issue. Dealer was great and gave us a courtesy vehicle for the day
Having the same issue with my 2017 Acadia. Brought it in to the dealership and they stated they couldn’t replicate the problem, therefore could not fix it. Problem is it doesn’t happen everytime I place it in the park position. Been having more issues with it lately. Dealer stated I would have to pay if they do find an issue next time I bring it in. Has 53,000 miles. Not happy!!
The problem lies with the shifter trigger’s “micro switch” that is part of that harness/shift lever assembly. Gm has obviously never upgraded the switch. They simply replace the old failed switch, with a “ready-to-fail“, but “new” micro switch… which eventually corrodes the same terminals, starting the cycle all over again.
This happens specifically because this micro switch is obviously not controlling any high voltage (or high current) loads that will blast through most any “light terminal corrosion”. The voltage being switched is only “micro volts”, which is quite sensitive to any contact corrosion. There is just enough oxidation on the contacts, to prevent the sensitive micro voltage signal from reaching the ECM, which then sends a fault code producing the infamous, “Shift to Park” message.
Micro switch contacts in such a sensitive voltage environment (ie, computer controls) are most always gold plated, which is so thin, it’s really not all that costly, but was not an available option in this size micro switch. Obviously, they NEED to come up with a NEW micro switch with better (gold plated) contacts, which won’t likely happen until GM is forced (class action suit anyone). Soooo, until then, here is what works 98% of the time with the first “flick” on my 2018 Acadia:
Simply flick the black “trigger switch” at the front (forward) underside of the shift knob with your right hand and fingers, using a brisk, upward “brushing style”.
You accomplish this by using a rapid upward motion so the “trigger switch” is flicked (by one or more fingers) as your hand is passing swiftly upward, just above the shift knob (note: your fingers are perpendicular to the shift lever). These quick, multiple flicks, cause the micro switch contacts to once again make contact, telling the computer “all is well”, and the “Shift to Park” indication will extinguish. Rustie….
2017 Acadia 41,000 dollars new shifter problem 550 dollars to replace at 37,000 miles. I a new Toyota in our future to replace this piece of junk.
What did they replace for the $550? They replaced the shifter harness in July of 2020 and now they are replacing the transmission control button on mine which is still under warranty until 1/13/2021
My 2018 GMC Acadia started doing this issue today. Still under warranty. Calling the dealership tomorrow. Frustrating !
MY FIX!
If it happens…I hold the shifter and use my fingers to “flick” the button…essentially hold it in and let snap back. I do this no more than 3 times and it stops the Shift to Park issue from happening for a period of time… might be a week or a couple months before it happens again.
2017 Acadia Denali