2011 GMC Acadia Life Expectancy

A 2011 GMC Acadia can last 14 years with proper care and light usage. However, be wary if it has been driven frequently or if regular maintenance has been neglected.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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With an average life expectancy of 150,000 to 200,000 miles, the 2011 GMC Acadia can last between 10 and 14 years—or even more. But that longevity depends on one thing above all else: regular maintenance. 
Though it boasts excellent safety scores and a high-quality interior, the 2011 GMC Acadia suffers from poor reliability ratings and high maintenance costs. But you shouldn't give up on this GMC model just yet; with regular servicing, it can last for years without breaking down. 
Just how long can the 2011 GMC Acadia stay on the road? Let's find out.

How many miles can a 2011 GMC Acadia last?

A 2011 GMC Acadia should last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles under ideal conditions. With the average American covering 14,000 miles per year in their vehicle, we can generally assume that a well-maintained 2011 GMC Acadia could survive for a little over 14 years.

How long does a GMC Acadia engine last?

With very good care, the engine in a GMC Acadia can last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. The only engine available for the 2011 Acadia is a version of GM's high-feature 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 engine, with 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
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Can a GMC Acadia last 500,000 miles?

Even though nothing is impossible, it's very rare for a car to last that long. The 2011 GMC Acadia, in particular, is not likely to make it to 500,000 miles—it has below-average reliability and only earned a 2/5 reliability rating from J.D. Power.

Average life expectancy for a GMC Acadia

GMC claims that if the Acadia is well maintained, it can easily go 150,000 miles before it needs major repairs, though some drivers have gone over 200,000 miles without much trouble. Only 1.2% of cars have more than 200,000 miles on them, according to a study by iSeeCars—and the Acadia doesn’t rank high in this study.
Any vehicle is only as good as its owner, and its potential lifespan is not the same as its actual lifespan.
The truth is that a 2011 GMC Acadia's actual lifespan is contingent on:
  • Routine maintenance
    : Even missing one oil change can shorten the life of a car. Acadias that reach 200,000 miles on the road have all been meticulously maintained.
  • Accident history: The Acadia is a great vehicle, but even a minor collision can shorten the life of your car by making its parts more vulnerable to wear and tear.
  • Lower mileage: If a 2011 Acadia has been driven far less than the normal 14,000 miles per year, it might last for much longer than 15 years.
If you want to buy a 2011 GMC Acadia, start by looking at how many miles it has been driven. If the car is in good condition and has less than 200,000 miles on it, and you take good care of it, it should likely last at least a few more years
But if the Acadia you're looking at has close to 200,000 miles on it, you should take some extra time looking into its maintenance records—and having a reliable mechanic check it out is always a good idea.

How to extend a 2011 GMC Acadia’s life expectancy

You can probably guess what we're going to say—and that is to always keep up with regular maintenance!
Taking good care of a used GMC of any age, including a 2011 Acadia with a lot of miles on it, will ensure that it continues to serve you well. Oil changes, flushes of automatic transmission fluid and power steering fluid, and brake services should all be performed according to the manufacturer's recommended service intervals, which can be found in your owner’s manual.

Common 2011 GMC Acadia problems to watch out for

Unfortunately, the 2011 GMC Acadia is part of a string of problematic Acadia model years, which span from 2008 to 2012. Watch out for these frequent problems if you drive an Acadia of the aforementioned generation:
  • Engine failure: After about 85,000 miles, this is one of the most typical issues to arise. When the engine suddenly stops working, the only option is to replace it, which will set you back more than $7,000.
  • Melting daytime running lights: Many 2011 Acadia owners have this complaint at about 72,000 miles. The housing that holds the daytime running lights is weak and melts when the bulbs get too hot. A new set of running lights will cost you around $1,000.
  • Excessive steering noises: This problem often arises somewhere between 55,000 and 60,000 miles. A failure of the power steering gear is the most common cause of this issue, and the assembly's replacement will set you back about $1,500.
  • Check Engine light: This problem tends to occur when the Acadia has about 111,000 miles on it—and it could mean that the Acadia needs an update to its power control module or that the camshaft needs to be fixed. If any of these problems are to blame, the Acadia will need expensive repairs (a head gasket replacement, for example, can set you back anywhere from $2,200 to $2,650).
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FAQs

Only 0.03%! It's very rare for a car to last more than 300,000 miles, but the Acadia might be able to do so—and it’s probably more likely for model years outside the 2008–2012 range.
The GMC Sierra likely has the longest average life expectancy from GMC. The base mileage for this model is 200,000 miles, but many Sierras are just getting started at that point. It's not unusual to find them with the original transmission and engine and 400,000 miles on the odometer!
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