Owners filed 135 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 6 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
13
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
10
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
8
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
6
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
1
0
1
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
4
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
4
0
0
0
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
4
1
0
1
Air Bags › Frontal
4
1
0
2
Unknown or Other
3
0
0
0
6 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).
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light/Devices01V123000
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Child Seat99V009000
Filed Jan 20, 19992,090 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Defect. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Aug 19, 201470,000 milesOH
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 D
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Aug 4, 2011185,000 milesVA
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
Visibility
Filed May 15, 2008171,000 miles00
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
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 12, 200637,000 milesNV
FUEL LEAK IN SAFARI SUPPLIED FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE GENERATOR. *NM
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jul 25, 2006WI
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
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 1, 2005CA
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
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 2005112,135 milesMI
1997 GMC SAFARI TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUN GEAR SHELL FAILURE CAUSED NO REVERSE, SECOND OR OVERDRIVE ON THIS VEHICLE.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 1, 2005107,000 milesFL
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
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Jul 24, 2005CA
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.
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed May 5, 200560,000 milesMI
BRAKES FAIL AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 30, 200536,000 milesMO
THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. *JB *NM
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 25, 2005CA
WHILE DRIVING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETRERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 24, 2004CA
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
Child Seat › Harness/Crotch BuckleCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 19, 200485,483 milesCA
COSCO MODEL #22260HOU, DOM 03-11-04. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CHILD BOOSTER SEAT BUCKLE BROKE. THE CHILD SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK *SC *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 20, 2004GA
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES THREE OR MORE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEN DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed May 14, 200432,804 milesHI
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2004VA
CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE HAD WITH THE CHASSIS AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. (NAR) *PH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AC/ HEATER, GAS GAUGE, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, ELECTRIC WINDOW. *CB
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 5, 2004114,000 milesNY
SMELLED GASOLINE. CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FITTING WHERE THE SUPPLY LINE TRANSITIONS FORM A PLASTIC HOSE THAT ORIGINATES AT THE FUEL PUMP TO THE 3/8 INCH STEEL FUEL LINE. THIS LEAK WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE HOT EXHAUST MUFFLER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL. *JB
Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Feb 27, 200471,200 milesCA
THE BAFFLE ON THE THROTTLE BODY CAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN WIDE OPEN. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Feb 24, 200460,544 milesCA
STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT. DEALER STATED STEERING PUMP BROKE. AS A RESULT OF STEERING FAILURE THE POWER BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK *MR
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.