Complaints
200
Crashes
10
Fires
3
Injuries
14
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 GMC Safari Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:98,568 mi
#213 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
#39 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:78,000 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 GMC Safari.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 17 | — | — | 98,568 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 | — | — | 78,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 | 1 | — | 27,860 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 8 | — | — | 90,902 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,568
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,860
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,902
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 GMC Safari. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Safari Years
1997 GMC Safari — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 GMC Safari reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1997 GMC Safari has 200 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 GMC Safari?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (17 complaints, avg 98,568 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (13 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (9 complaints, avg 78,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 GMC Safari?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 79,232 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 GMC Safari?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 GMC Safari include 10 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 14 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 1997 GMC Safari have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 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 1997 GMC Safari?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (automatic transmission) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
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 1997 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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