Gmc Safari Reliability
1,537 NHTSA complaints (1985–2005). Complaint rate: 8398.9 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1994–2000 Gmc Safari (119 crash-related complaints). The 2003–2005 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Gmc Safari Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 207 | 19.8% |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 71 | 1.4% |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR | 71 | 1.4% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 51 | 3.9% |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 41 | 0.0% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 38 | 2.6% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 36 | 13.9% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 34 | 85.3% |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 30 | 3.3% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 29 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | View → |
| 1986GOOD | — | 11 | 2 | — | View → |
| 1987GOOD | — | 22 | 1 | — | View → |
| 1988GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1989GOOD | — | 25 | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 1990 | — | 44 | 2 | — | View → |
| 1991 | — | 60 | 14 | 3 | View → |
| 1992 | — | 66 | 4 | 2 | View → |
| 1993 | — | 79 | 8 | 1 | View → |
| 1994AVOID | — | 142 | 17 | 2 | View → |
| 1995AVOID | — | 256 | 48 | 6 | View → |
| 1996AVOID | — | 199 | 11 | 3 | View → |
| 1997AVOID | — | 200 | 10 | 3 | View → |
| 1998AVOID | — | 111 | 9 | 2 | View → |
| 1999AVOID | — | 92 | 7 | 1 | View → |
| 2000AVOID | — | 95 | 17 | — | View → |
| 2001 | — | 55 | 1 | 2 | View → |
| 2002 | — | 35 | 4 | 1 | View → |
| 2003GOOD | — | 19 | 1 | 1 | View → |
| 2004GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View → |
| 2005GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Gmc Safariaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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