Complaints
25
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 GMC Safari Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#13 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Crash-related:1
#22 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#32 complaints
Steering Defects
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 GMC Safari.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Column Shift Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 1 | — | — | — |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Manual Transmission:Column Shift Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 GMC Safari. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Safari Years
1989 GMC Safari — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 GMC Safari reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 GMC Safari has 25 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seat Belts:Front:Retractor with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 GMC Safari?
Top reported problems: Seat Belts:Front:Retractor (3 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (2 complaints); Steering Defects (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 GMC Safari?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 GMC Safari include 2 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 GMC Safari have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 GMC Safari as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 GMC Safari?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Safari reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 GMC Safari
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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