Buy GMC Acadia Fender

Quick Summary

The GMC Acadia's fender-also called the wheel-arch panel, mudguard, or front wing-shields the wheel well, keeps road debris off the body, and gives the SUV much of its side shape. All Acadia model years share a bolt-on steel fender design, but mounting holes, flare shapes, and inner-liner clips changed between the first generation (2007-2016) and the second generation (2017-present). A damaged or rusty fender can be swapped in about an hour with basic tools, then primed, painted, and blended to match factory colors.

Fit & Years {#fit}

• 2007-2012 - First-gen front driver and passenger fenders share GM part family GM1240345/GM1241345 and are stamped from 0.8 mm steel. (eBay)
• 2013-2016 - Styling refresh changed the marker-lamp pocket; use part family GM1240381/GM1241381. (Midwest Aftermarket)
• 2017-2019 - Second-gen body is narrower; aluminum hoods but fenders stay steel, part 84471775 (RH) and GM1241406 (LH). (eBay, eBay)
• 2020-present - Mounting tabs were moved to clear the revised LED headlamp bracket; use 84755856/84755857. (Amazon)

Interchange notes. Forum users confirm most first-gen fenders swap between 2007-2012, while 2013-2016 units interchange within the refresh group only. (Acadia Forum)

Construction

• Most Acadia fenders are electro-galvanized steel for dent resistance and easy welding. (eBay)
• Inner flanges carry wiring for lights and an engine-compartment ground; NHTSA once traced a small wiring fire to chafing on this flange-reminding techs to secure harness clips during install. (NHTSA Static)
• Aftermarket CAPA-certified replacements are built to the same gauge and corrosion-test standard (500-hour salt spray). (Midwest Aftermarket)

Damage Causes

• Parking-lot bumps, tight garage entries, and stray shopping carts bend the outer crown.
• Steel dog-legs behind the wheel trap mud and hold moisture, causing hidden rust that bubbles paint. Owners have posted photos of the panel rotting "from the inside out." (Acadia Forum)
• On northern roads, salt spray plus felt sound-deadener inside the jamb accelerates corrosion. A Terrain forum teardown shows how wet insulation lays against the metal. (Terrain Forum)

Replacement Steps

1. Support vehicle on jack stands and remove the wheel for clearance. (Torque spec for wheel lugs is 140 ft-lb.) (Acadia Forum)
2. Unclip liner. A T15 Torx driver and 7 mm socket release the inner fender liner. (YouTube, YouTube)
3. Remove fascia screws along the bumper edge as shown in illustrated tow-bar instructions. (blueoxtowbars.com)
4. Unbolt the fender (10 mm & 13 mm heads) from the core-support rail, A-pillar, and rocker. A helper hand prevents edge scratches. (Acadia Forum)
5. Test-fit, gap, and torque. Strut-to-knuckle bolts torque to 133 ft-lb; keep gaps even to avoid door rub. (JustAnswer)

A concise video walkthrough is available here.

Paint & Finish

• New panels ship in grey e-coat; scuff with 600-grit, wipe with wax/grease remover, then apply primer-sealer.
• Match OEM colors using the Service Parts Identification label (found in the glovebox or owner's manual). (GMC)
• Blend the base-coat into the door and bumper cover for an invisible repair.

Safety Checks

• After install, verify clearance around the ABS harness where it crosses the inner flange.
• Check local regulations-many states require the wheel-arch to fully cover tire tread to avoid debris spray.
• Run your VIN through the official GM recall portal or the NHTSA lookup to confirm no open body-structure campaigns. (GMC)

Care Tips

• Rinse salt off the wheel arch weekly in winter.
• Spray cavity wax inside the fender hem after every repair.
• Keep drain holes clear at the lower rear edge so water escapes.

Environment

Steel body panels are almost 100 % recyclable and are accepted by any ferrous-metal processor. The U.S. EPA reports that over 6 million tons of steel packaging were recycled in the most recent survey year. Recycling conserves energy equal to removing 42 million cars' annual CO₂ output. (US EPA)
If you generate paint waste, follow the EPA hazardous-waste recycling guide or your state's stricter rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does a fender do on a GMC Acadia?
A: It frames the wheel opening, keeps mud and stones off the doors, and forms part of the crash-energy path. (GMC)

Q: Are Acadia fenders made of aluminum?
A: No-while newer Acadias use an aluminum hood, the factory fenders remain galvanized steel for durability. (eBay)

Q: Will a 2011 fender fit my 2015 Acadia?
A: No. First-gen panels (2007-2012) differ in lamp pocket shape from the 2013-2016 refresh. (Acadia Forum)

Q: Can I change the fender at home?
A: Yes. With a Torx set, 10 mm socket, and floor jack, most DIYers finish in about one hour. (YouTube)

Q: Do I have to remove the bumper?
A: Only the corner screws and a push-pin strip; the bumper fascia can stay on the car once those fasteners are out. (blueoxtowbars.com)

Q: How do I stop rust from returning?
A: After painting, fog cavity wax inside the dog-leg and keep the liner's felt pad dry. (Acadia Forum)

Q: What colors were offered in 2022?
A: Factory paint codes included Satin Steel (Metallic, G9K) and Summit White (GAZ). Check the glovebox SPID label for your exact code. (GMC)

Q: Is a CAPA fender worth the extra cost?
A: CAPA-certified panels are salt-spray tested and verified for fit; they help maintain resale value by reducing re-work time. (Midwest Aftermarket)

Q: Do I need an alignment after fender work?
A: No. The fender bolts to the body shell and does not alter suspension geometry, but retorque the strut bolts if loosened. (JustAnswer)

Q: Where can I recycle the old panel?
A: Any scrap-metal yard accepts clean steel; recycling saves energy and keeps bulky waste out of landfills. (US EPA)