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: 18 of 25 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
25 reports
58,000 miles · Oct 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE ABS ACTIVATED, AND VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKING CAPABILITY ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS MORE BRAKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE SERVICE DEALER ABOU…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE ABS ACTIVATED, AND VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKING CAPABILITY ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS MORE BRAKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE SERVICE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY STATED THE RIGHT HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TAKE OUT THE FUSE TO THE ABS AND THIS WOULD DISABLE THE ABS BRAKES. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF VEHICLE REGARDING THE ABS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10138345
36,000 miles · Jan 15, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
ENGINE FIRE. STARTED BY A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10106366
23,544 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BOUNCES UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SWITCH TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULAR HAD SHORTENED OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL I…
Read full complaint
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BOUNCES UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SWITCH TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULAR HAD SHORTENED OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *TC
NHTSA ODI #10089319
200 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE RIGHT FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE ON THE VEHICLE, PER THE MANUFACTURE. YOU CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE AS WELL AS HEAR IT. THE MANUFACTURE WILL TRY TO PLACE MORE INSTALLATION ON, HOWEVER THEY STATED THE DEFECT IS NOT REVERSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #10092143
45,000 miles · Jun 26, 2004
Visibility
THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR DOESN'T OPERATE IN HIGH HUMIDITY UNLESS I UNPLUG AND REPLUG THE CONNECTION AT THE MOTOR UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS AN 02 GMC SAFARI CARGO VAN WITH 48K MI. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10078860
200 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
BRAKES SOFT AND NOSIE AT TIMES. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BRAKES JUMP WHEN STOPPING AT TIMES. BATTERY GOES DEAD. JUMPED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. GM TOLD ME TO REPLACE BATTERY. I DID AT WALMART FOR $50. INSTEAD AT AUTOWAY FOR $150. OVERHEAD INFORMATION (COMPASS, MILE PER GALLON ETC REPAIRED ABOUT SIX TIMES(BUT ON WARRANTY FROM AUTOWA…
Read full complaint
BRAKES SOFT AND NOSIE AT TIMES. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BRAKES JUMP WHEN STOPPING AT TIMES. BATTERY GOES DEAD. JUMPED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. GM TOLD ME TO REPLACE BATTERY. I DID AT WALMART FOR $50. INSTEAD AT AUTOWAY FOR $150. OVERHEAD INFORMATION (COMPASS, MILE PER GALLON ETC REPAIRED ABOUT SIX TIMES(BUT ON WARRANTY FROM AUTOWAY AND GM. HARD STARTING, FRONT DOORS JAM, RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FOG UP, TOLD TO TURN VENT BY AUTOWAY AND GM. VENT DOESN'T TURN. KEY LESS ENTRY DOESN'T WORK SOMETIMES. WAS TOLD BY AUTOWAY & GM THAT I AM THE PROBLEM BECAUSED I AM DISABLED AND SHOULD NOT DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10069724
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING DURING FOGGY CONDITIONS AT 20 TO 25 MPH, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER BROKE HER BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10047796
20,000 miles · Oct 7, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE SHUDDERED, THE ABS KICKED IN, AND A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10042443
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2003
Suspension
THE VEHICLES FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVERS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. M PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM.
NHTSA ODI #10040587
2,000 miles · Aug 18, 2003
Electrical SystemInterior LightingVisibility
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY POPPED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN, BUT WILL NOT COME BACK UP WITH OUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THEM UP BY HAND. DOME LIGHT POPPED ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AT LEAST SIX TIMES …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY POPPED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN, BUT WILL NOT COME BACK UP WITH OUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THEM UP BY HAND. DOME LIGHT POPPED ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AT LEAST SIX TIMES SINCE ELEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *AK
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE CONTACTS AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION OF THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE REPAIR WOULD BE USED IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IS STILL MOVABLE. IF A VEHICLE HAS A HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON THAT IS NOT MOVABLE (FROZEN), THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.
2002 GMC Safari Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration