10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
125,667 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 GMC Safari brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 GMC Safari Owner Comments

problem #3

Jun 262014

Safari

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This van belongs to my mother. My sister was driving the day of the accident. She is 60 yrs of age and a very good driver. Her description: "just pulling away from one light & coming up to another. Wasn't going more than 20 mph. Step on the brakes & they weren't there." The accident caused about $500 in damage to the Honda auto that was struck, and similar light damage to the bumper of the Safari. I inspected system and found no leaks, and concluded that master cylinder may be failing, so I replaced it. After that repair, had excellent pedal. I borrowed the van a few days later, and while driving it, I experienced the same no brake condition 3 times, once which left the front end out into an intersection (luckily, no collision). I recognized that the anti-lock braking system was erroneously keeping the front brakes from applying, and that was what caused the no brake condition. A GM mechanic advised me to pull the ABS fuse. I did so, and now the van has great brakes, every time. I have done the same to another family vehicle also equipped with this dangerous system; I'm not waiting until it causes another accident. This condition screams for your attention. No one was hurt by this particular failure incident (except financially), but it is just a matter of time before someone ends up gliding into a busy intersection, or over a crosswalk, and does cause a death or two. Please have all these dangerous ABS vehicles recalled, and have these safety features-turned-safety hazards defeated, before someone does become a victim.

- North Canton, OH, USA

problem #2

Aug 022011

Safari 6-cyl

  • 185,000 miles
1997 GMC Safari brake failed completely no rear no front suspect it was the anti lock control under the drivers seat. No leaks visible.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #1

Sep 152003

Safari

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles
A/C/heating: Rear heat went out and had to be rewired engine: The water pump went out and had to replace it, that was covered by warranty. But still has a front oil leak some where in the front. Other: I heard a grinding noise while going down the road I took it in to the dealer I bought it from and they looked it over and said nothing was wrong. Shortly after warranty ran out the transfer case went out so we had a used one put in and it only lasted four months now it sits in the garage there should be something to do about the transfer case they should last longer. Brakes: Been having trouble with the ABS brakes since we bought it took it in to a dealer and they said nothing was wrong with it. I ended up doing the brakes and found they had cracked pads causing the noise in the brakes. Found out that all wheel drive is not what it is made out to be, I have had a lot of issues with this 1997 GMC Safari all wheel drive van.

- St Cloud, MN, USA

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