Complaints
111
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 GMC Safari Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#18 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:73,667 mi
#28 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Crash-related:2
#34 complaints
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 GMC Safari.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | 73,667 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Drum | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,667
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Drum
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Safari. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Safari Years
1998 GMC Safari — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 GMC Safari reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 GMC Safari has 111 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 GMC Safari?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (8 complaints, avg 73,667 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (8 complaints); Electrical Faults (4 complaints). 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 1998 GMC Safari?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,667 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 GMC Safari?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 GMC Safari include 9 crash-related reports, 2 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 1998 GMC Safari have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 GMC Safari?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
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 1998 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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