MotorDeets

GMC Savana 1500 problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Savana 1500 from 1997 to 2015: 44 owner complaints and 3 recalls across 16 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2014 (6), 2000 (5), 2004 (5). Best fuel economy: 17 mpg combined (2012).

GMC Savana 1500
Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Tires5
Steering5
Brakes5
Brakes (hydraulic)4
Other / unknown4
Airbags4
Engine3
Visibility (wipers, glass)3

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
19970115
19990115
20000515
20010315
20020215
20030315
20040515
20050416
20060115
20071316
20080217
20100217
20112317
20120117
20140616
201502–

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 Savana 1500.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the GMC Savana 1500?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2014 (6), 2000 (5), 2004 (5).

How many recalls has the GMC Savana 1500 had?

Across 1997–2015, NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).