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1988 GMC SafariProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1988 GMC Safari, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints70 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 5, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 GMC Safari has problems

7 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
Seat belts20
Steering20
Engine and engine cooling10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Seats10
Structure10

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

2 recalls

1988 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

1988 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 1988 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
In owners' words

What Safari owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

(7) OF (8) SEAT BELTS WILL NOT LOCK. BELT IS VERY LOOSE, ALLOWING ALOT OF MOVEMENT AND (1) 0F (8) SEAT BELT BUCKLES DOES NOT LATCH. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
Complaint 810664 · Apr 3, 1997

Own a 1988 Safari?

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