Menu

GMC SafariYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 1,135 NHTSA owner complaints across 21 model years, the GMC Safari years to avoid are 1995, and the strongest years are 1990, 1991, 2001 and 2002. The Safari has 15 safety recalls on record.

GMC Safari
Years to avoid'95Use caution: 1994, 1996, 1997Best years'90 '91 '01 '02Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints1,135Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls151985–2005 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Best & worst years

GMC Safari years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Safari median. Tap a year for its full report.

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2005Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls2003Not rated–/10018 complaints · 1 recall2002Best68/10025 complaints · 1 recall2001Solid63/10039 complaints · 1 recall2000Solid47/10068 complaints · 0 recalls1999Solid51/10061 complaints · 1 recall1998Solid42/10089 complaints · 3 recalls1997Caution32/100135 complaints · 4 recalls1996Caution32/100139 complaints · 4 recalls1995Avoid23/100195 complaints · 3 recalls1994Caution33/100119 complaints · 1 recall1993Solid50/10061 complaints · 0 recalls1992Solid53/10059 complaints · 1 recall1991Solid58/10039 complaints · 3 recalls1990Best67/10035 complaints · 4 recalls1989Not rated–/10018 complaints · 3 recalls1988Not rated–/1007 complaints · 2 recalls1987Not rated–/10011 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1007 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common GMC Safari problems

All model years combined: 1,135 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic31153
Visibility1592
Suspension1234
Engine and engine cooling923
Electrical system8915
Power train888
Steering866
Structure656
Seat belts5610
17 other systems34875
15 recalls

GMC Safari recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Brake lights: switch05V-099 · 2001–2002 · Mar 14, 2005 · 77,055 vehicles–Control arm: lower ball joint03V-328 · 2003 · Sep 12, 2003 · 41,477 vehicles–Visibility: windshield wiper/washer03V-159 · 1995–1997 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles–Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior03V-093 · 1998 · Mar 7, 2003 · 507,171 vehicles–Front: warning light/devices01V-123 · 1996–1999 · Apr 10, 2001 · 461,851 vehicles–Child seat99V-009 · 1996–1998 · Jan 20, 1999 · 2,090 vehicles–Seat belts: rear/other97V-057 · 1996–1997 · Apr 8, 1997 · 18,972 vehicles–Control arm: lower arm95V-175 · 1995 · Sep 13, 1995 · 69 vehicles–Tank assembly: mounting94V-188 · 1995 · Oct 4, 1994 · 3,037 vehicles–Other: labels94V-087 · 1994 · May 9, 1994 · 2,255 vehicles–Seats93V-187 · 1985–1991 · Nov 16, 1993 · 604,207 vehicles–Disc: rotor93V-119 · 1988–1992 · Aug 2, 1993 · 341,364 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 15 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

14 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Safari

  1. LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATIONPE04072 · 2001–2002 · closed Mar 21, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-099
  2. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA02006 · 1995–1997 · closed Jul 23, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-159
  3. WINDSHIELD WIPERRQ99003 · 1994–1995 · closed May 31, 2002
    No recall
  4. INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH ELECTRICAL FIREPE97025 · 1990–1991 · closed Nov 26, 1997
    No recall
  5. SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGEEA92022 · 1985–1991 · closed Nov 19, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-187
  6. BRAKE FAILUREEA91028 · 1990–1991 · closed Jun 30, 1992
    No recall
  7. BRAKE FAILUREPE91052 · 1990–1991 · closed Jun 10, 1991
    No recall
  8. POWER STEERING FAILUREEA90023 · 1987–1988 · closed Apr 30, 1991
    No recall
  9. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILUREPE90039 · 1982–1988 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall
  10. POWER STEERING FAILUREPE90028 · 1987–1988 · closed Apr 16, 1990
    No recall