MotorDeets

GMC Savana 3500 problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Savana 3500 from 1997 to 2015: 24 owner complaints and 3 recalls across 13 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2002 (3), 2003 (3), 2005 (3). Best fuel economy: 13 mpg combined (2015).

GMC Savana 3500
Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Electrical5
Tires4
Airbags3
Suspension3
Brakes3
Other / unknown3
Engine & cooling2
Brakes (hydraulic)2

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199702–
199901–
200001–
200102–
200203–
200303–
200503–
200631–
200702–
200903–
201001–
20140113
20150113

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 3500.

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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 3500?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2002 (3), 2003 (3), 2005 (3).

How many recalls has the GMC Savana 3500 had?

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