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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We’ve had our 2018 Acadia for a little over a year and we are having the same problem. I love my car but this is frustrating.
I have a 2017 GMC Acadia which the dealer replaced the shifter cable on January 2019. The problem resurfaced in June 2020. Plan on calling my dealer once again.
Replacing the cable does not fix the problem. The only way to fix this is to replace the entire shift assembly. There is a design flaw in the original and I don’t know if it has been corrected in the replacement assembly. If the faulty part in the assembly has not been replaced with the correct part, the problem could happen again. With luck a new shift assembly would last for at least a year.
I’m actually at the dealership now getting this replaced for the 2nd time. The first time was a year after purchase. Today marks 3 years after purchase.
The replacement is covered under my extended warranty. I just have to cover the $100 deductible.
Replacing the cable does not fix the problem. The only way to fix this is to replace the entire shift assembly. There is a design flaw in the original and I don’t know if it has been corrected in the replacement assembly. If the faulty part in the assembly has not been replaced with the correct part, the problem could happen again. With luck a new shift assembly would last for at least a year.
You should not have to pay that $100 deductible if it is the SAME problem you had 2 years ago. This is a known issue and GM needs to take responsibility for it. Consider having your dealer contact GM about this and have them waive that $100. Granted, I had to pay about 200 for a new battery this last time. :-/
Same issue… although I first dealt with the “drained battery issue” 2 weeks after initial purchase in 2017. They looked several times for an issue — couldn’t find one. They finally just said it was the crank shaft of the battery — and I think they just made that up. Persistent problems of car not shutting off or not allowing it to lock because the car would not engage fully in park — or the computer would not recognize it was in park. After several complaints and taking it down there a few times, and finally an error showed, “Shift to Park” in Aug 2019 they finally said the shift gear needed to be replaced. Fast forward again to July 2020… it is doing it again and my battery is drained again. No “park to shift” error came up but a “parking assist service” light came on. The dash would not go to slumber. I kept fiddling with the gear and gave a loud “pop”, learched and then the computer went into slumber. Mechanic verified it was the same issue again and replaced the gear shift one more time. I am soooooo not happy. They were not going to cover it at all until I reminded them I have had continuous issues with this. Mileage is at 41k and I am going to go for the lemon law. This vehicle drives like a dream — but this shift gear problem is dangerous and I feel GM is being irresponsible in not recalling it or admitting there is a real issue. We have been die-hard GMC patrons for decades. I think this is the last GMC product I will own.
I think you are correct. Battery does not have a “crank shaft”. The problem is with a microswitch in the shift assembly. It is not designed correctly. GM has to know about this as they have had so many problems. There is reported to be a class action suit being filed because of just this problem.
Having problem with shift to park it wont turn car off until in park. 2017 acadia 54000
I just bought a 2017 Acadia. 53000 Kms. Brought it in for shift to park issues and they couldn’t find anything wrong.
Today by battery was totally drained and I had to get a boost. Shift to park keeps happening. I want to cry.
The dealerships are aware of the problem! Sucks that GMC won’t issue a recall. My shift to park warning luckily came on while I was at the dealership. I bought my car with 0 miles. I had less than 12k when they fixed it the first time. 3 years later Im at 32k. They told me after 75k miles, I’ll have to cover the full cost if I need it replaced again.
What did they do to fix it?
I wish I could upload a screen shot of my invoice.
Per the bill they replaced an “S Controll” Code 84699764. They also replaced “Harness”. Code 84733196. The total for those two was abt $150. They also charged $300 for labor😔
Stephanie have you had any problems since
No, thank goodness! I’ve only driven it twice since. We’ll see how this goes. Seems to happen every 2 years for me.
I wish I could upload a screen shot of my invoice.
Per the bill they replaced an “S Controll” Code 84699764. They also replaced “Harness”. Code 84733196. The total for those two was abt $150. They also charged $300 for labor😔
Obviously the Acadia is having a major problem with the shift . I bought my 2017 Acadia about a year ago and got it fixed once under the extended warranty that I purchased from the dealership. I am worried that it will break again. I found this blog by luck. I am sure others are not aware of our group and would like to join us. How could we all file a suit or make a group complaint with the better business bureau BBB. Is there other ways that we could jointly file a complaint.
It will be nice if GM makes a better shift and get the issue fixed. Please, advise.
I am having the same issue with my 2017 Acadia. I would like to be part of this lawsuit. The service dept has to order anew shifter, plus the cost of labor. And of course the warranty is just up.
I am having the shift to park issue with my 2019 GMC Acadia.
I’m also having shift to park issue on my 2017 gmc Acadias. The dealer replaced a wiring harness which worked for 3 months but now it’s popping up again and of course the warranty is up.
Does anyone know how to join the lawsuit?
2018 Acadia Denali with 23000k just started the shift into park issue. I have to turn it back on. Then again move shifter to park, sometimes it works but is happening more often now.
I have a 2018 Acadia. I have had this issued fixed once under warranty at 19k miles, and it just started again at 38k miles. I have it scheduled for service this coming week. I’m looking to get out of this problematic issue with the 2017-2018 Acadia.
My 2019 Acadia just started doing this. Guess they didn’t fix the issue…
My 2017 Acadia Denali V6 has started doing this. I
Just started this. 50,000 miles 2017 Acadia Denali V6. If I wiggle shifter it goes away
I’m a victim as well. Three visits to dealer last year: wiring harness replaced then shifter assembly when first “fix” failed after two stops. Was without vehicle + 2 months. 2017 was covered by warranty. Not happy. Clearly original shifter assembly is faulty. If it hasn’t failed, it will. No word from dealer whether new shifter assemblies are redesigned and flaw-free. Meanwhile, word is out and your resale value has tanked.
Check your state’s lemon law. If I have another issue, a I’m lawyering up.
GM SHOULD be sued over this, and SHOULD be forced to make amends for an obvious long existing flaw of which the company was aware: Immediate recall and replacement with functioning parts. Reimbursement for those who paid out of warranty. Reimbursement for rental cars/inconvenience. Buybacks of flawed vehicles. Extension of warranties for others.
First vehicle was a GMC. Like my Acadia (when I can reliably stop, park and lock it), but it’s my last vehicle from GM ever again.
My 2018 Acadia is having this problem which has not been fixed yet due to my dealership is unable to obtain this part. It’s a real pain trying to stop the vehicle and turn if off. It’s about a 2-3 time try to get it in park.
2019 acadia with 20,000 miles. Happening to me now.
Mine has 16k and started happening last week. Took it in yesterday and they are so backed up and that they will have it 2-3 days :(. Guy said it happens all the time. Why TF would they not have taken care of this problem after it happened with 2017 and 2018 models?
My 2017 Acadia Denali has been displaying the shift to park message and it can take me minutes to get it to finally go away. It’s getting worse and worse every time it pops up.