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1987 GMC SafariProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 1987 GMC Safari, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints111 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 16, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 GMC Safari has problems

11 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
Engine and engine cooling40
Steering30
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Seat belts21
Structure20
Fuel system, gasoline10
Equipment10
Vehicle speed control10
Suspension10
2 other systems20

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

1 recall

1987 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

1987 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
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 GMC Safari, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR A/C UNITEA88039 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    No recall
  2. POWER STEERING FAILUREEA90023 · closed Apr 30, 1991
    No recall
  3. SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGEEA92022 · closed Nov 19, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-187
  4. REAR AXLE SEAL FAILUREPE89106 · closed Sep 19, 1989
    No recall
  5. POWER STEERING FAILUREPE90028 · closed Apr 16, 1990
    No recall
  6. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILUREPE90039 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall

Own a 1987 Safari?

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