GMC Safari problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Safari from 1990 to 2005: 1,091 owner complaints and 27 recalls across 16 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 1995 (195), 1996 (139), 1997 (135). Best fuel economy: 20 mpg combined (1990).

Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 4 | 35 | 20 | |
| 1991 | 3 | 39 | 17 | |
| 1992 | 1 | 59 | 17 | |
| 1993 | 0 | 61 | 17 | |
| 1994 | 1 | 119 | 17 | |
| 1995 | 3 | 195 | 17 | |
| 1996 | 4 | 139 | 17 | |
| 1997 | 4 | 135 | 17 | |
| 1998 | 3 | 89 | 16 | |
| 1999 | 1 | 61 | 16 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 68 | 17 | |
| 2001 | 1 | 39 | 17 | |
| 2002 | 1 | 25 | 17 | |
| 2003 | 1 | 18 | 17 | |
| 2004 | 0 | 5 | 16 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 4 | 17 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the GMC Safari.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
What is the worst year for the GMC Safari?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 1995 (195), 1996 (139), 1997 (135).
How many recalls has the GMC Safari had?
Across 1990–2005, NHTSA lists 27 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).