NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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.
Feb 1995peak 5May 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 GMC Safari
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.
PE97025Opened 12 Jun 1997Closed 26 Nov 1997ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE
ALLEGED ELECTRICAL FIRES MAY OCCUR IN THE DASH AREA WHILE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BEING OPERATED OR WHILE PARKED.
EA92022Opened 24 Jun 1992Closed 19 Nov 1993SEATS
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
EA91028Opened 10 Jun 1991Closed 30 Jun 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE
===
PE91052Opened 22 Feb 1991Closed 10 Jun 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1990 GMC Safari
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.
United States — NHTSA
93V187000
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.
93V119000
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.
91V164000
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.
90V146000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING, CAUSING A LEAKAGE OF FUEL.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A FUEL RETURN LINE SEPARATION, A FUELLEAK OCCURRING IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2000080200,580 units in Canada
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.
Recall 199315365,907 units in Canada
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.
Recall 199312043,021 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain K1500, Astro, Safari and Suburban vehicles, corrosion of the composite front brake rotors could cause separation of the stamped steel centre section from the cast outer rotor resulting in complete loss of braking capability for the affected wheel and a partial loss of front braking. This would increase stopping distances and could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will replace both front brake rotors with rotors having a corrosion protective coating.
Recall 19911759,055 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, In areas of high road salt use, corrosion of the composite front brake rotors could cause separation of the stamped steel centre section from the cast outer rotor resulting in complete loss of braking capability for the affected wheel and a partial loss of front braking. This would increase stopping distances and could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will replace both front brake rotors with rotors having a corrosion protective coating.
Recall 19901223,893 units in Canada
Fuel System
NOTE: M-VANS WITH 4.3 OR 2.5 LITRE ENGINE AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH 366 V-8 GAS ENGINE. VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL RETURN HOSES WHICH COULD BREAK AT THE CRIMPED COUPLING. COUPLING SEPARATION IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 199004529 units in Canada
Fuel System
THE FRAME MOUNTED FUEL FILTER MAY CRACK AT THE FUEL INLET MOUNTING NUT AS A RESULT OF FLEXING AND ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR CORRECT FUEL FEED PIPE INSTALLATION AND A NEW INTERMEDIATE FUEL FEED PIPE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSTALLED IF REQUIRED.
Recall 1989146560 units in Canada
Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1103 - exhaust emissions. Engine cam gear misorientaion.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Clearwater, FLCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES ARE ABS AND THEY FAILED. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #970187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carpinperia, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN PANIC STOP ABS BRAKES FAILED, VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE,ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #962396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Anaheim, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER DRIVER SEAT WOULD ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TOO QUICKLY, CONSUMER THOUGHT THAT A MOUNTING BOLT WAS LOOSE, HE THEN TILTED THE SEAT BACK AND INSPECTED THE FRONT MOUNTING BOLT TO THE SEAT PLATFORM CONNECTION AND THE CONSUMER SAW THAT WHEN THE SEAT BACK WAS PUSHED, THE ENTIRE BOLT/NUT COMBO LIFTED OFF OF THE MOUNTING PLATFORM, AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT ROCKING BACK AND FORTH, UPON LIFTING THE SEAT OFF THE PLATFORM ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE PLATFORM HAD BROKEN OFF, THE ADJACENT METAL AROUND THE BOLT HOLES WERE DISFIGURED, FRACTURED AND CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #785961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER DRIVER SEAT WOULD ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TOO QUICKLY, CONSUMER THOUGHT THAT A MOUNTING BOLT WAS LOOSE, HE THEN TILTED THE SEAT BACK AND INSPECTED THE FRONT MOUNTING BOLT TO THE SEAT PLATFORM CONNECTION AND THE CONSUMER SAW THAT WHEN THE SEAT BACK WAS PUSHED, THE ENTIRE BOLT/NUT COMBO LIFTED OFF OF THE MOUNTING PLATFORM, AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT ROCKING BACK AND FORTH, UPON LIFTING THE SEAT OFF THE PLATFORM ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE PLATFORM HAD BROKEN OFF, THE ADJACENT METAL AROUND THE BOLT HOLES WERE DISFIGURED, FRACTURED AND CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #785961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, IL
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MADE A STOP; THEN, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE, LATER SHE WAS TOLD THAT IDLE ARM HAD FALLEN OFF.*AK VEHICLE ALSO WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. STEERING COLUMN LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, IL
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MADE A STOP; THEN, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE, LATER SHE WAS TOLD THAT IDLE ARM HAD FALLEN OFF.*AK VEHICLE ALSO WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. STEERING COLUMN LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MADE A STOP; THEN, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE, LATER SHE WAS TOLD THAT IDLE ARM HAD FALLEN OFF.*AK VEHICLE ALSO WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. STEERING COLUMN LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarnia Ontario, UN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 93V187000 FOR FRONTAL SEATS. REAR SEATS ARE THE SAME TYPE OF SEATS WITH A DIFFERENT PACKAGE. BUT, MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PARTS AS STATED IN THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SEATS. *AK THE FRONT AND THE REAR SEATS ARE RECLINING SEAT FOR THIS VAN UNLIKE OTHER VANS.
NHTSA complaint #870995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crestwood, MO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE 2 FRONT SAFETY BELTS DONT WORK PROPERLY, IF YOU LEAN FORWARD THE SHOULDER BELT STAY LOOSE AND DON'T COME BACK AGAINST THE PASSENGER, ALSO A REAR LAP BELT WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO RETRACT AND LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER IT IS PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT DOES NOT WORK. I HAD CONTACTED GM A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO FIX THEM. I THINK BEINGS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THEY SHOULD REPAIR IT. THE BELTS HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VAN, IT WAS A USED VEHICLE, WE DIDNT BUY IT NEW. I TRANSPORT CHILDREN, I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD AND A 3 MONTH OLD, SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, I HAVE TO ALWAYS MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN ONE OF THE WORKING BELTS. THIS ALSO LEAVES THE DRIVER AT RISK, BEINGS THE DRIVERS BELT DOESNT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I AM UNABLE TO USE ONE OF THE SPOTS IN THE BACK DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE BELT. IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE CONTACT ME @ 314-729-1288 OR EMAIL ME AT HEYWINKY@AOL.COM THANK YOU, MAUREEN WIEHAGE.
NHTSA complaint #721319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELK Mound, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER A HARD BRAKING INCIDENT, THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. SYSTEM WAS RESET BY MECHANIC, WORKED FOR 4 OR 5 BRAKE APPLICATIONS BUT HAD ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE UNDER HOOD, THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. REGULAR BRAKES WORK PROPERLY, ABS DOES NOT. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP STATED ABS COMPUTER FAILURE. COST TO REPAIR - $450, WORK NOT PERFORMED. PROBLEM PERSISTS. AFTER VIEWING YOUR ONLINE COMPLAINTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #721030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskegon, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS COMES ON, INDICATING THAT THE ABS DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND RESET THE ABS CODE. PROBLEM EXSITS AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #850994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Great Falls, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYING. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES (ABS), VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE. VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP RIGHT AWAY. WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP. BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC RESET COMPUTER FOR BRAKES. THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE HAD A CODE OF 63.
NHTSA complaint #849661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WAS LEANING FORWARD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON. SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK UP PROPERLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. OWNER FEELS IT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #845354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon-Rockville, CT
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR SERVICE ON REAR END. WAS HIT. WHEN CONSUMER DROVE AWAY, STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MOVED THE COLUMN INTO THE INNER SLEEVE.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #844068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon-Rockville, CT
SUSPENSION:REAR
TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR SERVICE ON REAR END. WAS HIT. WHEN CONSUMER DROVE AWAY, STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MOVED THE COLUMN INTO THE INNER SLEEVE.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #844068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manville, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN TRAVELING 70 MPH CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER. ALSO, VEHICLE WENT FROM 70 TO 0 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MOTOR. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #824823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benton, AR
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR CAME OUT OF THE TRACK, DOOR WAS LOCKED. INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND IS INVESTIGATING PROBLEM. NO WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #828793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port ST Lucy, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; DURING NORMAL BRAKING AT LOW SPEED IN NO INCLEMENT WEATHER, MOSTLY WHEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY(VERY LITTLE HILL), WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK DOES NOT STOP. AFTER THE TRUCK SITS FOR ONE TO TWO MINUTES AND THE BRAKES ARE NORMAL, DEALER NOT ABLE TO DETECT A PROLBEM WITH THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #823168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unity, ME
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
THE MOTOR SPEED CONTROL SWITCH FOR THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER MELTED INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/REPLACED SWITCH AND BLOWER MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #818651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #523153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Moines, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #516176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES. BRAKES DRAG, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. OWNER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, AND DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #809275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley CTR, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN ICY WEATHER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. REPLACED ABS SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #808164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
IN DRY WEATHER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PASSENGER'S AND MIDLE BENCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ECM FAILED WHEN DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC LOCK ALSO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #807192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN DRY WEATHER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PASSENGER'S AND MIDLE BENCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ECM FAILED WHEN DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC LOCK ALSO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #807192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
IN DRY WEATHER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PASSENGER'S AND MIDLE BENCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ECM FAILED WHEN DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC LOCK ALSO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #807192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
IN DRY WEATHER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PASSENGER'S AND MIDLE BENCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ECM FAILED WHEN DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC LOCK ALSO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #807192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.