Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 135 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
135 reports
70,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10629776
185,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
1997 GMC SAFARI BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY NO REAR NO FRONT SUSPECT IT WAS THE ANTI LOCK CONTROL UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT . NO LEAKS VISIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417131
171,000 miles · May 15, 2008
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILURE, APPROXIMATELY IN EARLY 2006 ON 1000K TRIP. PARTS PURCHASED MODULE N12463 PART NUMBER 12463090 FROM DEALER IN EDMONTON AT COST OF $64.87 INCLUDING GST.. RETURNED HOME 1000K AS DEALER TOO BUSY TOO FIX, AND PAID $36.00 LABOR TO HAVE INSTALLED. TOTAL COST FOR MODULE AND LABOR: $100.87. MY REQUE…
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WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILURE, APPROXIMATELY IN EARLY 2006 ON 1000K TRIP. PARTS PURCHASED MODULE N12463 PART NUMBER 12463090 FROM DEALER IN EDMONTON AT COST OF $64.87 INCLUDING GST.. RETURNED HOME 1000K AS DEALER TOO BUSY TOO FIX, AND PAID $36.00 LABOR TO HAVE INSTALLED. TOTAL COST FOR MODULE AND LABOR: $100.87. MY REQUEST IS FOR GM TO PAY THIS $100.87 AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AT ANY TIME IN THE LIFE OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227944
37,000 miles · Sep 12, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LEAK IN SAFARI SUPPLIED FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE GENERATOR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10167944
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages
1997 GMC SAFARI VAN VEHICLE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER HAD TO TIE THE DOORS WITH A ROPE TO KEEP THEM CLOSED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10163712
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED . HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD REPAIR WORK DONE IN MAY 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2005 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REFUND THE MONEY FOR SERVICE TOWARD A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED . HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD REPAIR WORK DONE IN MAY 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2005 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REFUND THE MONEY FOR SERVICE TOWARD A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS REPAIR HAS NOT CURRENTLY BEEN MADE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10141457
112,135 miles · Aug 23, 2005
Power Train
1997 GMC SAFARI TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUN GEAR SHELL FAILURE CAUSED NO REVERSE, SECOND OR OVERDRIVE ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10133998
107,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: DEALER TOLD THE CALLER THE THROTTLE STUCK WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. CALLER HAS NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE TO HAVE THIS PART MAINTAINED. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. CALLER FELT IT WA…
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DT: DEALER TOLD THE CALLER THE THROTTLE STUCK WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. CALLER HAS NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE TO HAVE THIS PART MAINTAINED. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. CALLER FELT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. CALLER HAD NO IDEA THAT PART WAS A MAINTENANCE ITEM. CALLER WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HE HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES HARD, AND TURN IT OFF TO GET IT TO STOP.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10127006
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2005
Electrical System
AT 90000 MILES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 97 GMC SAFARI SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. 10 MINUTES LATER THEY MIGHT WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING REGULARLY. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAYS OF LOS ANGELES AS A RESULT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE WEB FORUM IT WAS FAULTY LEADS DUE TO WIRE HARNESS ST…
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AT 90000 MILES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 97 GMC SAFARI SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. 10 MINUTES LATER THEY MIGHT WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING REGULARLY. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAYS OF LOS ANGELES AS A RESULT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE WEB FORUM IT WAS FAULTY LEADS DUE TO WIRE HARNESS STRESS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW AVOID THE FREEWAYS IN THE RAIN.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
1997 GMC Safari Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year