1991 GMC Safari

Routine

Owners filed 39 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip11
200
Vehicle Speed Control3
100
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust3
100
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash3
020
Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack2
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element1
010
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Seats93V187000
Filed Nov 16, 1993604,207 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Risk. IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor93V119000
Filed Aug 2, 1993341,364 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage91V164000
Filed Sep 20, 19914,842 vehiclesSherrod Vans, Inc.

Defect. SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Risk. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy. REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 2, 2009277,500 milesMO

LOSS OF BRAKE ACTION DUE TO INSTANT FLUID LOSS. BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO EXTREME AND ISOLATED CORROSION IN BRAKELINE LOCATED AREA OF GASOLINE TANK (FORWARD OF REAR AXLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE.) NO NOTICE OR PRIOR EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. HAVE NOTED MANY INTERNET COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE AND LOCATION ON BOTH GMC SAFARI AND CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS AND SILVERADO LIGHT TRUCKS - YEAR AND/OR MILEAGE NOT A FACTOR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 27, 2009174,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SECONDLY, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SKIDS. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING A DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 *BF UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Sep 21, 2006IL

1991 SAFARI HOOD CAME UP WHILE DRIVING AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. *TS *JB

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004150,000 milesMO

I HAVE HAD MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM MY 1991 GMC SAFARI MINI VAN THAN ALL OTHER PREVIOUS VEHICLES I'VE EVER OWNED. I'M LOOKING AT MY THIRD TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL SOON (SEEMS LIKE ONE EVERY TWO YEARS) AND I DON'T DRIVE FAST AND DON'T HAVE A HITCH TO "PULL" ANYTHING. CURRENTLY, MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO DRIVE. IT WENT FROM HAPPENING ONCE A MONTH TO APPROXIMATELY 4-6 TIMES A DAY. THE TRANSMISSIONS SHOPS I'VE SEEN SAY I NEED AN OVERHAUL AGAIN. I HATE THIS GMC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Aug 26, 2003128,500 milesKY

NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO THOSE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE. TWICE NOW WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN A PANIC SITUATION THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED ECU ON BRAKE SYSTEM ONCE NOW DEALER INFORMS THAT IS MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST OF $1200. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN EXTRAVAGANT MAINTENANCE EXPENSE EVERY TIME YOU NEED THE ANTI-LOCK PORTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT DUE TO FAILURE, MUST REPLACE IDLER ARMS EVERY TWO YEARS DUE TO FAILURE AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTERS ON THE BLOWER SWITCH DUE TO OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE SWITCH. *NLM

Tires
Filed Dec 2, 2002IL

I WAS TRAVLING AT ABOUT 60 MILES AND HOUR WHEN THE A PIECE OF THE TIRE OUT SIDEWAY. THE SIZE 12 INCHES X 8 INCHES BLEW OUT OF THE TIRER HITTING THE CAR NEX TO ME. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIRER HAVE SUCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THE SIDE WALL IS MISSING A PIECE FROM FIRST OUT SIDE THREAD TO THE RIM BEAD BY ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. THE TIRER EXPLODED IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT OUT OF NO WARE ON SMOOTH DRY ROAD WAY. BLOWING THE PIECE OUT INTO THE PASSING LANE HITTING A CAR IN THAT LANE. THE PIECE WAS NOT RECOVERED. DT

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Nov 15, 2001IN

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NO LONGER LATCH. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 2001NE

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TRANSMISSION DIP STICK POPPED OFF, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ALL OVER WINDSHEILD. TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING AFTRERWARDS. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 7, 2000WI

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 25, 2000UT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VHICLE.*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed Apr 21, 2000IN

UPPER PART OF POWER SEAT TRACK ATTACHED TO SEAT BREAKING, ALLOWING SEAT TO FAIL IN REAR-END COLLISIONS. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › AnchorageCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 22, 2000OR

THE SEATBELTS WILL NOT REMAIN STABLE. PASSENGERS MUST REPEATEDLY REMOVE AND REATTATCH THEM TO REMAIN SECURE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 8, 2000IL

WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH AND CONSUMER NEEDS TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP HE STEPS ON BRAKES AND HOLDS THEM, THE VEHICLE GOES FROM 50 TO 65 BEFORE THE BRAKES STOP THE VEHICLE. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 13, 2000AL

BRAKES STOPPED BUT ACTED VERY SLOW AND LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIMES AFTER IT HAPPENED. BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NOW LOST THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM COMPLETELY AND WAS GIVEN A PRICE OF $1500 TO REPLACE. I BELIEVE THIS IT EXTREAMLY TOOHIGH. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 23, 1999PA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 23, 1999KS

WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. MECHANIC SAYS THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 15, 1999MO

WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD BE THROWN INTO ANOTHER LANE. FIRST, BRAKES ON DRIVER'S SIDE, WOULD LOCK UP. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPAIRED ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED & WAS INFORMED ITS THE ABS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 8, 1999MO

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD TO AVOID A CRASH, TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGH CAM EON. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 22, 1999AL

WAS TOLD THE UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 11, 1999IL

THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH COMING OFF A RAMP THE VEHICLE WOULD'NT STOP AND THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T STOP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO MAKE A RIGHT A TURN AND HITTING THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO A STOP. *AK

20 of 39 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20054200Routine
20045200Routine
200318310Routine
200225310Routine
200139320Routine
200068200Routine
199961310Routine
199889510Routine
1997135620Routine
1996139620Routine
1995195641Fatalities reported
1994119220Routine
199361210Routine
199259320Routine
1991 — this page39430Routine
199035400Routine

Compare every Safari year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.