1998 GMC SafariProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 89 owner complaints about the 1998 GMC Safari, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the Safari median · #5 of 16 years by complaints

Safety recalls3Free fix at dealers Owner complaints8913 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem12Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 4, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 GMC Safari has problems

89 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

12Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury

10Visibility

9Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury

8Power train

8Vehicle speed control

6Steering

6Engine and engine cooling

6Suspension

5Wheels

3313 other systems3 crash/fire/injury

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic	12	3
Visibility	10	0
Electrical system	9	1
Power train	8	0
Vehicle speed control	8	0
Steering	6	2
Engine and engine cooling	6	0
Suspension	6	0
Wheels	5	2
13 other systems	33	3

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

3 recalls

1998 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

Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Recall 03V-093 · Mar 7, 2003 · 507,171 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Front: warning light/devices

Recall 01V-123 · Apr 10, 2001 · 461,851 vehicles

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Child seat

Recall 99V-009 · Jan 20, 1999 · 2,090 vehicles

Risk. THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF 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

1998 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

1 7 11 7 18 35 39 59 61 11919513913589 61 68 39 25 18 5 4

'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

NHTSA crash tests

1998 GMC Safari safety ratings

1998 GMC Safari 4x2 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

Stability control: No
Forward collision warning: No
Lane departure warning: No

In owners' words

What Safari owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 25MPH, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC
Complaint 8002553 · Jan 22, 2002

CRACKS IN REAR BRAKE DRUMS CAUSE BRAKES TO GRIND WHEN APPLIED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Complaint 895930 · Sep 6, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH THE CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT WORK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Complaint 850700 · Nov 26, 1999

Own a 1998 Safari?

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