Owners filed 119 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
25
6
0
5
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
18
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion Bar
13
1
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
10
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
6
6
0
5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
5
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
3
0
0
0
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
3
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
2
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
2
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings06E041000
Filed May 18, 20067,800 vehiclesR&b, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PROPER TORQUE.
Risk. A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy. R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.
Equipment › Other › Labels94V087000
Filed May 9, 19942,255 vehiclesExplorer Van Company
Defect. THE MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATION LABEL AND/OR THE DRIVER AIR BAG ADVISORY LABEL MAY BE MISSING FROM THE VEHICLES, WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR 567.
Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OWNERS OF VEHICLE WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THE LOAD CAPACITY OF THE VANS, THE VAN BUILD DATE, AND WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ASSURANCE THAT THE VANS MEET THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.
Remedy. THE LABELS WILL BE FURNISHED TO OWNER'S FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)Crash
Filed Jan 30, 2007155,000 milesMN
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE FUELING THE 1994 GMC SAFARI (15 WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE,, RESULTING IN STRIKING THE VEHICLE BEHIND IT. THE CONTACT REENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED THE LOOSE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND MOVED THE VEHICLE FORWARD TO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE W2ASA DRIVABLE, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOOSE. *AK
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion Bar
Filed Aug 16, 2005165,000 milesMI
DRIVING A 1994 GMC SAFARI AWD AND AT A STOP HAD THE 41" TORSION BAR SNAPPED. SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT FROM SALVAGE YARDS BUT THEY HAVE STOPPED SELLING THEM DUE TO LIABILITY REASONS, NEED TO INSTALL ADJUSTMENT EQUIPMENT SOLD BY GM WITH A COST OF $800. *NM
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Apr 5, 200569,000 milesCA
WHEN DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THERE WERE NUMEROUS RECALLS ON OTHER YEAR AND MAKES OF THE SAFARI VANS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion Bar
Filed Sep 29, 2004148,100 milesCO
THE VAN WAS GOING DOWN THE I25 NORTH OF DENVER WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR SNAPPED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY RACE CARS AND BRINING THE VAN TO A STOP WAS THE HARDEST I HAVE EVER DONE. BY DRIVING SKILLS, LUCK AND THE GOOD LORD I AM HERE TODAY TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. DOES GENERAL MOTORS NEED TO WAIT FOR A FAMILY TO DIE BEFORE THEY WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE. I DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I WENT TO GET PARTS AND THAT IS WHEN I FIND THAT GM KNOWS THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE TORSION BARS AND SUPERSEDES THE PART NUMBERS TO SHORTER (FROM 40" TO 36" BARS) THESE BARS ARE REDESIGNED AND MUST BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. I HAVE THE VAN TORN DOWN NOW WITH THE FAILED PART AND IT UPSETS ME ENOUGH THAT I AM GOING TO LET THE VAN SIT UNTIL GENERAL MOTORS DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. NOTE THAT THE GMC SAFARI AWD VANS AND THE CHEVROLET ASTRO AWD VANS ARE THE SAME VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 2004123,000 milesGA
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WE HAD A PROBLEM IN A MALL PARKING LOT WHEREIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH BOARD, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, RADIO) FAILED AT THE VERY SAME TIME AS THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AFTER WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. IT HAPPENED ONLY TWO OTHER TIMES. RECENTLY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT IS NOT FIXED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT IS A WIRING PROBLEM, BUT TO DATE, WE HAVE NOT FOUND ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND THEY ALL WANT TO REPLACE OUR TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS ODD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME, SO ELECTRICAL SOUNDS MORE LIKELY TO US. THE VAN HAS BEEN SITTING IDLE FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS NOW, AS WE ARE HESITANT TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT AND EVEN MORE HESITANT TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND JUST WANTS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND, IF SO, WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 13, 200389,000 milesVA
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON A TRIP, DURING TRAVEL IN A RAINSTORM. ON ONE OCCASION, I PULLED OVER AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT SIDE RUNNING BOARD DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE FACTORY. *LA
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 10, 200358,710 milesIN
RECALL COMPLAINT NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V159/GM RECALL NO. 03023.THE (ABOVE) RECALL IS CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM THAT FAILS DUE TO A BAD CIRCUIT BOARD/MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE MANY VEHICLES INVOLVED INCLUDING 1994 VEHICLES, BUT FOR THE GMC SAFARI ONLY 1995-1997 MODELS ARE LISTED. MY 1994 GMC SAFARI EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE MODE AS THE OTHER 1994 VEHICLES LISTED AND THE 1995-19997 SAFARI MODELS. THE SERVICE REPAIR RECEIPT INDICATES THE FAILURE MODE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE RECALL NOTICE DESCRIPTION. I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO NON-OPERATION OF MY WIPER SYSTEM AT A COST OF $341.75. WHEN THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS FAILURE MODE WAS ANNOUNCED IT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 1994 SAFARI MODEL YEAR. I HAVE HAD REPEATED CONVERSATIONS WITH GMC RECALL OFFICE AND THEY INDICATE THAT MY VEHICLE IS STILL NOT PART OF THE RECALL. UPON MY OWN INVESTIGATION, I FOUND A 1995 GMC SAFARI AND FOUND IT HAD THE SAME WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY AS MY (1994) VEHICLE, THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED FOR THE FAILURE RECALL, BUT MINE IS NOT. I INDICATED THIS TO GMC BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT ACCUMULATE COMPLAINTS ON OTHER VEHICLES NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE WAITED OVER 8 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR AN UPDATE, BUT THEY INDICATED NO UPDATE WAS AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE ADDING THE 1994 GMC SAFARI TO THE RECALL COMPLAINT NOTICE NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V159/GM RECALL NO. 03023. PLEASE INDICATE WHAT FURTHER ACTION I CAN TAKE IN ORDER TO RECOVER MY EXPENSE ($341
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Sep 15, 200374,000 milesUT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH ITS WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM. *SCC *JB
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Sep 10, 200310,250 milesMS
OUR 1994 GMC SAFARI ACCELERATED SUDDENLY TWICE WITHIN 2 HOURS. FIRST INCIDENT ON I40 NEAR BRINKLEY, AR WHILE MY WIFE WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE SWITCHED THE A/C FROM MAX TO NORMAL AND THE ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE STOPPED THE PROBLEM BY USING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND PUMPING 3 OR 4 TIMES TO PREVENT THE ACCELERATING VAN FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS OFF. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH. SHE TOUCHED NOTHING ON THE DASH OR THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN AND IT TOOK SEVERAL PUMPS OF THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. IT APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE PUMPING THE BRAKES STOPS THE ACCELERATION.*AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 8, 2003100,000 milesMI
THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03V159000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 7, 2003142,211 milesNJ
THE WIPERS STOPPED AND CHANGED SPEED SETTING ON IT'S OWN. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE WIPER MODULE WAS REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM *CB *JB
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 4, 2003155,000 milesKY
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1994' GMC SAFARI. ACCORDING TO NHTSA, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND YET THE RECALL ONLY COVERS FROM 95 AND UP MODELS. IF THE PROBLEM WAS KNOW TO OCCUR ON THE 1994 MODELS, WHY DOESN'T THE RECALL COVER THEM? THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCASSIONS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WHEN MY WIPERS HAVE FAILED AND NEARLY CAUSE ME TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL THEY DECIDED TO WORK AGAIN. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED IF IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jun 9, 200330,000 milesPA
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE WITH IT'S WINDSHIELD WIPER AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, BUT IT'S VIN NUMBER OR MODEL YEAR IN NOT INCLUDED. *TT
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion BarCrash
Filed May 20, 2003148,000 milesNJ
CATASRTOPHIC FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE OF THE LEFT TORSION BAR ON A 1994 GMC SAFARI AWD VAN. APPARENTLY, THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM MUST NOW BE REPLACED DUE TO "SUPERSEDED PARTS" FROM GM. *NLM
VEHICLE HAS ABS FAILURE WHEN DRIVING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITION/WEATHER. EX., SNOW, ICE OR RAIN. THERE IS A RECALL FOR ABS ECU 00 V 228 008, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 16, 2002MA
INTERMITTENT WIPER MOTOR (CF. OBI ID 869298) RECALLED ON CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER. *AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 26, 2002NH
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TEND TO FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY MORE FREQUENT. MY RESEARCH HAS FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON OTHER GMC VEHICLES OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR OF MANUFACTURE. GM RECALL # 98043, FROM 1998, APPARENTLY COVERS 1994,1995 AND 1996 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET AND GMC TRUCKS AND SUV'S IN THE S/T AND C/K SERIES. I CONTACTED GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE (A 1994 GMC SAFARI) IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM THAT I AM EXPERIENCING IS IDENTICAL TO THOSE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS FAR MORE PERVASIVE THAN THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES COVERED IN THE RECALL. GMC HAS NOT PROVIDED ME WITH ANY SATISFACTION IN THIS MATTER.
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jul 25, 2002MO
STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP HAD TO TAKE ENTIRE COLUMN APART AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. OWNER IS UNCOMFORTABLE DUE TO DEALERSHIP STATING THIS IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THAT CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*JB
Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 17, 2002NY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jul 12, 2002IL
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WHILE IN MOTION AND MOTOR IS STILL RUNNING. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR 5 YEARS. DEALER WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, THE WIPERS STOPPING RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.*JB
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 18, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.