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1985 GMC SafariProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 1985 GMC Safari, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 14, 1997. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 GMC Safari has problems

1 complaint 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
Engine and engine cooling11
Latches/locks/linkages11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1985 GMC Safari recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 93V-187 · Nov 16, 1993 · 604,207 vehicles

Risk. IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Safari year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Safari median. How we score

'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
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 GMC Safari, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR BRAKESEA87009 · closed Aug 16, 1988
    No recall
  2. SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGEEA92022 · closed Nov 19, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-187
  3. INADEQUATE REAR BRAKESPE86053 · closed Jan 20, 1987
    No recall
  4. REAR AXLE SEAL FAILUREPE89106 · closed Sep 19, 1989
    No recall
  5. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILUREPE90039 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Safari owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

OWNER STATES UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CAUSE HAS BEEN UNDETERMINED, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOOD LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE IS MADE HE HAD A HARD TIME IN LIFTING THE HOOD. *AK
Complaint 810015 · Mar 14, 1997

Own a 1985 Safari?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.