FaultScore report
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1989 GMC Safari with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011. The largest single group is the steering.
25
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 168,520 miles
Median failure at 66,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
SEATS
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Risk: IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Risk: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Accessories
On certain vehicles operated in areas of high salt use, the spare tire hoist cable may corrode and eventually break. This would allow the spare tire to fall off the vehicle possibly resulting in a road hazard for other vehicles. Correction: A letter will be sent to owners of affected vehicles with maintenance and inspection instructions for spare tire hoist cable assemblies. Additionally, the letter will advise the owner that, if the cable breaks during that inspection, their dealer will repair the assembly. This policy will be in effect until December 31, 2002.
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS WITH KNOB TYPE RECLINER MECHANISMS, A FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK. THIS MAY ALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: RECLINER BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1103 - exhaust emissions. Engine cam gear misorientaion.
Powertrain
ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL ROD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHIFT LEVER. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT REFLECT THE GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN AND THE DRIVER COULD BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY IN REVERSE AND VICE-VERSA. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE COULD BE STARTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: A NEW TRANSMISSION LINKAGE RETAINER WILL BE INSTALLED ON INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ON GOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVEN WHEN I HAD A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN BY MILES CHEV, MILLINGTON,TN IN JULY 97 AT 146,737 MILES ,NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT ANY ENGINE FIRES...MOST MECHANICS SAID IT WAS A "MINOR" ELECTRIAL PROBLEM...THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IT NEEDED OIL, AND PERIODICALLY THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGANCY BRAKE HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED AND THE LEVER PULLED TO DOUBLE CHECK FOR RELEASE. NO OTHER WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FIRE...NO SMOKE OR ODORS THAT NIGHT, JUST DROVE HOME ABOUT 20 MILES IN THE RAIN, PARKED IN MY DRIVE AND ABOUT 3.5HRS LATER A MAN WALKING BY SAW IT BURNING AND HAD PEOPLE CALL 911. TUNE UP & OIL CHG. @187,314M,12/17/98.
NHTSA complaint #702531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM SEAT BECAUSE THE LAP BELT DID NOT HOLD. FURTHERMORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #812141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM SEAT BECAUSE THE LAP BELT DID NOT HOLD. FURTHERMORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #812141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #808228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STEERING
THE BRACKETS ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVE BROKEN 3+ TIMES AND HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED, PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, BRACKETS, FLUID, AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST WEEK. 08/18/2011
NHTSA complaint #10420867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE BRACKETS ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVE BROKEN 3+ TIMES AND HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED, PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, BRACKETS, FLUID, AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST WEEK. 08/18/2011
NHTSA complaint #10420867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
RANDOM FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. VERY SPOOKY WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. WHEN QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM. BUT THEY KNEW JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY HAVE A FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10072366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT VAN CAPTAINS CHAIR FRAME AND TRACK, HAS HAD TO BE REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT LIFTS UP, DOES NOT STAY SECURED TO TRACK.
NHTSA complaint #10013978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THE ALUMINUM OR SIMILAR MATERIAL BRACKET WHICH CONNECTS THE ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOOR GUIDES IS "RIPPED" --- NOT COMPLETELY BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE SEAT INSECURE AND DEFINITELY UNSAFE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #721472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
WITHOUT WARNING THE TIE ROD RIPPED ITSELF OUT OF THE FRAME. IF THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. ONE BODY SHOP OWNER SAID THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #706774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ON GOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVEN WHEN I HAD A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN BY MILES CHEV, MILLINGTON,TN IN JULY 97 AT 146,737 MILES ,NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT ANY ENGINE FIRES...MOST MECHANICS SAID IT WAS A "MINOR" ELECTRIAL PROBLEM...THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IT NEEDED OIL, AND PERIODICALLY THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGANCY BRAKE HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED AND THE LEVER PULLED TO DOUBLE CHECK FOR RELEASE. NO OTHER WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FIRE...NO SMOKE OR ODORS THAT NIGHT, JUST DROVE HOME ABOUT 20 MILES IN THE RAIN, PARKED IN MY DRIVE AND ABOUT 3.5HRS LATER A MAN WALKING BY SAW IT BURNING AND HAD PEOPLE CALL 911. TUNE UP & OIL CHG. @187,314M,12/17/98.
NHTSA complaint #702531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T ADJUST, IT'S LOOSE. IT DOES NOT HOLD. THIS DEFECT COMPLIES WITH RECALL 98V150000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK THE BOLT HOLDING THE ENGINE BRACKET BROKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #830926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T ADJUST, IT'S LOOSE. IT DOES NOT HOLD. THIS DEFECT COMPLIES WITH RECALL 98V150000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK THE BOLT HOLDING THE ENGINE BRACKET BROKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #830926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
REAR SEAT BELT FAILED UNDER HARD BRAKING. ALSO, POWER STEERING PUMP REAR BRACKET MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #781443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELT FAILED UNDER HARD BRAKING. ALSO, POWER STEERING PUMP REAR BRACKET MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #781443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM SEAT BECAUSE THE LAP BELT DID NOT HOLD. FURTHERMORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #812141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM SEAT BECAUSE THE LAP BELT DID NOT HOLD. FURTHERMORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #812141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #808228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE GETTING INTO VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE BROKE OFF DOOR INTO DRIVER'S HAND, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HANDLE HAS NOT BROKEN. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.
NHTSA complaint #807539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON SEAT, THE SEAT BOLT BROKE AGAIN, CAUSING THE SEAT TO RECLINE INTO THE REAR SEAT. RECALL#93V187000.
NHTSA complaint #807085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING PULLEY CAME APART, CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO BREAK
NHTSA complaint #511482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE, BECOMES VERY LOOSE, CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS AND USE TURN SIGNALS. TT
NHTSA complaint #977419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
STEERING COLUMN BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE, BECOMES VERY LOOSE, CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS AND USE TURN SIGNALS. TT
NHTSA complaint #977419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
STEERING COLUMN BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE, BECOMES VERY LOOSE, CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS AND USE TURN SIGNALS. TT
NHTSA complaint #977419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER AND BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK WHEN PULLING FORWARD AND GO BACKWARDS THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DON'T TIGHTEN UP . TT
NHTSA complaint #972681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WHEN PULLED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS DOESN'T TIGHTEN UP. TT
NHTSA complaint #972681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
BOLT THAT CONNECTS THE POWER STEERING UNIT TO THE MOTOR SHEARED OFF, REPLACED WITH STEEL BOLT, THEN THE BRACKET CRACKED CAUSING POWER STEERING UNIT TO COME OFF.
NHTSA complaint #971583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE AUX PULLEY THAT HOLD CRANKSHAFT AND THE TIMING GEAR PULLEY BROKE TWO TIME. TT
NHTSA complaint #964495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VEHICLE REAR MIDDLE BENCH OUTSIDE SEAT BELTS RETRACTOR MECHANISM HAD BROKEN PARTS JAMMING IN A FIXED POSITION. TT
NHTSA complaint #961781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.