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1997 GMC Safari

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Safari years

Owner complaints for the 1997 GMC Safari are substantially higher than the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

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

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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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.

NHTSA ODI #10129852

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND UNDERNEATH HOOD FROM THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHE THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089678

32,804 miles · May 14, 2004
Electrical SystemVisibility

SEPTEMBER 1, 1999: AC PROBLEM (NOT COOLING) REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOVEMBER 3, 1999: LEFT DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (NOT PASSENGER SIDE AS DOCUMENTED ON THE INVOICE). JANUARY 31, 2003: I WROTE TO GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL, DETAILING SOME PROBLEMS THAT HAD DEVELOPED WITH MY VAN. I COMPLAINED …

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SEPTEMBER 1, 1999: AC PROBLEM (NOT COOLING) REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOVEMBER 3, 1999: LEFT DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (NOT PASSENGER SIDE AS DOCUMENTED ON THE INVOICE). JANUARY 31, 2003: I WROTE TO GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL, DETAILING SOME PROBLEMS THAT HAD DEVELOPED WITH MY VAN. I COMPLAINED THAT THE DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I MENTIONED WAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ERRATICALLY. MY LOW SETTING ON THE AC FAN WAS INOPERABLE, AND EVENTUALLY ALL 3 LEVELS STOPPED. I HAD BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR OVER A YEAR, BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOM, WORK FULL TIME AND COULDNT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION. THE REPLY I GOT WAS THAT MY VAN WAS TOO OLD, AND THINGS BREAK. THREE MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN THE MAIL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MAY 8, 2003: I TOOK MY VAN INTO THE CLOSEST GMC DEALER TO HAVE MY DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR ($329.38) AND THE AC RESISTOR REPLACED ($103.24), AND PERFORM THE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. JULY 22, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER TO REPAIR AC PROBLEM (AC BLOWS FROM DEFROSTER AND NOT FROM VENTS) THAT DEVELOPED MAY 10, 2003.($132.50) SEPTEMBER 24, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR SAME AC PROBLEM THAT RETURNED JULY 30, 2003. THAT VAN WAS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL DAY, AND WAS NEVER REPAIRED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR FOR WORK AND COULD NOT LEAVE IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THEM. I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VAN AGAIN UNTIL JUST RECENTLY, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL SUCH TIME I COULD AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE CAR FOR A DAY. APRIL 20, 2004: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR AC PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THE HOSE WAS BROKEN IN A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN BEFORE. (169.24). DURING THE DRIVE HOME, THE AC PROBLEM RETURNED. APRIL 29, 2004: VAN WONT START DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND STILL SAME PROBLEM RETURNS. NOW I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE THAT IS KILLING MY BATTERY, AND I CANT FIND IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072604

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. …

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ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10059141

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

1997 GMC SAFARI COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHICH NEGATES POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY! I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER WILL GO OUT. IT HAS GONE OUT ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION "SLAMS" INTO GEAR ON OCCASION AT NO SPECIFIC INTERVAL. THERE CAN BE SEVER…

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1997 GMC SAFARI COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHICH NEGATES POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY! I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER WILL GO OUT. IT HAS GONE OUT ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION "SLAMS" INTO GEAR ON OCCASION AT NO SPECIFIC INTERVAL. THERE CAN BE SEVERAL DAYS SEPERATING THE INCIDENTS; NO LOGICAL PATTERN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MARTIN CADILLAC IN LOS ANGELES AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS FIXED AND SO FAR THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS AND MAKE THE FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10030456

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2000
Electrical System

HORN WORKS ERRATICALLY. SPECIFICALLY, IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AT HIGHER HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #9000523

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Electrical System

BATTERY THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING ACID FROM THE POSTIVE POWER POST WHICH IS MELTING PAINT FROM THE INNER FENDER, AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING LINES UNDERNEATH BATTERY. VEHICLE REPAIRED AT OWNER'S COST, GM TO REIMBURSE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #865184

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Electrical System

A MALFUNCTIONING WIRING HARNESS CAUSING LOSS OF ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. ALSO, TURN SIGNAL BECAME INOPERATIVE, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS PULLED ALL TYPES OF WIRES OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #858791

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherPower Train

ALL THE GAUGES DO NOT WORK DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PREVIOUSLY, DEALER REPLACED GAS GAUGE. ALSO, TRANSMISSIN MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847951

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
Electrical SystemPower TrainFire

THE BATTERY CABLE LINE HANGING OVER THE THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE GOING INTO THE INTAKE/OUTTAKE MANIFORD, WHICH CUT IT IN HALF. THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT ON FIRE.CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848097

Official recalls

4

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

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.

01V123000 · Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

Apr 10, 2001

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.

99V009000 · Child Seat

Jan 20, 1999

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.

97V057000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 8, 1997

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.