FaultScore

1994 GMC Safari brake problems

41 of the 142 complaints about the 1994 GMC Safari are about the braking system — 29% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 95,000 miles.

F

41

Complaints

7

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 29 70.7%
Foundation Components 6 14.6%
Antilock 2 4.9%
Master Cylinder 1 2.4%
Disc 1 2.4%
ABS Warning Light 1 2.4%
Control Unit/Module 1 2.4%

Brakes across every GMC Safari year

1990 15 4.3%
1991 19 5.5%
1992 31 9.0%
1993 35 10.1%
1994 41 11.8%
1995 65 18.8%
1996 30 8.7%
1997 18 5.2%
1998 15 4.3%
1999 20 5.8%
2000 29 8.4%
2001 16 4.6%
2002 12 3.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 115,000 miles Chandler, AZ Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MOVING IN TRAFFIC AT 20 MPH. HIT BRAKES FOR QUICK STOP AND VAN DID NOT STOP. HIT CAR IN FRONT OF US. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734314

NHTSA complaint #10007012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Brookville, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

VEHICLE HAS ABS FAILURE WHEN DRIVING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITION/WEATHER. EX., SNOW, ICE OR RAIN. THERE IS A RECALL FOR ABS ECU 00 V 228 008, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #10001658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chandler, AZ Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MOVING IN TRAFFIC AT 20 MPH. HIT BRAKES FOR QUICK STOP AND VAN DID NOT STOP. HIT CAR IN FRONT OF US.

NHTSA complaint #734314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norco, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES, AND DEALER SAID THAT WAS THE WAY ABS WORKED. WHEN GETTING OF FREEWAY AND TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES, IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A 2X4 UNDER BRAKE PEDAL, CAN'T PUSH BRAKE DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #879351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chandler, AZ Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MOVING IN TRAFFIC AT 20 MPH. HIT BRAKES FOR QUICK STOP AND VAN DID NOT STOP. HIT CAR IN FRONT OF US.

NHTSA complaint #734314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tyngsborough, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN I PASSED A SLIGHT DIP IN THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG RESEMBLING AN EXPLOSION AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SLAMMED TO THE GROUND. THE DRIVERS SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED! IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THE TIMING OF THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN IT DID, AS WE HAD JUST LEFT THE MASS TURNPIKE AND WERE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND THE LIVES OF OTHER PERSONS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL THE TORTION BAR IS MADE OF, AND I FEAR THE OTHER SIDE MAY BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #723559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lennox, SD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

IN WET/ SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #852860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lennox, SD Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN DRIVING ON A SLICK SPOT VEHICLE WAS HIT. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM ENGAGED. WHEELS BEGAN TO SLIDE AND TURN ON THE SLICK SPOT, AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #856009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lennox, SD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A NOISE PRESENT. ABS KICKS IN, AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE OVER 5 TIMES, AND NO SOLUTION FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #855393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenwood, AR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TWO DIFFERENT TIMES I HAVE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PUMP BACK AT MY FOOT, BUT WOULD NOT STOP THE WHEELS. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #716360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charleston, SC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BEFORE ABS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED INTERMITTENTLY. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #850025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hopewell, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 8MPH. BRAKES SQUEAL AND GRAB. BRAKES WORK BUT WITH INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE JULY 1999. HEARD VEHICLE RECALL ON TV FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON CHEVY ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES. CONTACTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF ROUNTREE PONTIAC-GMC HERE IN PETERSBURG VA. DEALER SAID THEY KNOW OF RECALL FROM TV BUT CAN NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY GET AN ACTUAL RECALL BULLITIN FROM CHEVY/GMC. DEALER GAVE NUMBER TO CALL (18007622737). CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY DIDI NOT KNOW OF THAT RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE DID HAVE ANOTHER RECALL THEY KNEW OF. I WAS GIVEN THE FOLLOWING INFO TO GIVE TO DEALER; (96067 SP POL LINEAR EGR).

NHTSA complaint #714482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT PARTIALLY TO THE FLOOR WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #852361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanger, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY MAKE THE CAR JERK, AND THE CAR DOES NOT STOP, IT HESITATES. DEALER SAID CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO TAKE BRAKES APART JUST TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

NHTSA complaint #851790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hopewell, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 8 MPH. BRAKES SQUEAK AND GRAB AND DON'T PERFORM PROPERLY. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNTIL REPAIR NOTICE IS RECEIVED.

NHTSA complaint #848811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hopewell, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 10 MPH. THE BRAKES WORK BUT THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED AND THEY GRAB A LOT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMETHING IS ACTUALLY RECEIVED FROM GMC. THE DEALER SAID THEY HEARD OF THE RECALL ON CNN, BUT IT IS NOT OFFICIAL YET.

NHTSA complaint #712242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #847533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, OH Crash 3 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH A CAR STOPP;ED IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP AND THE ANTI-LOCKS KICKED IN AND I SLAMMED INTO THE FIRST CAR WICH HIT ANOTHER AND THE ANOTHER. I THINK I HAD TIME TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING THE CARS IF THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP ANY, BUT ALL THEY DID WAS CAUSE A HARD PULSATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LITTLE IF ANY STOPPING POWER AT ALL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE ACTED UP BUT THE FIRST TIME WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SO I PAY IN INSURANCE AND CITATIONS FOR SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER HAS SAID WAS BAD BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON THE BRAKES BEING BAD OR RECALLED. SO THANKS TO GM I HAVE TO FIGHT WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET THE VAN FIXXED SO I CAN TAKE IT TO GM FOR REPAIRS ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #710862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT Vernon, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO STOP VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED ON A SMOOTH/DRY ROAD SURFACE. DRIVER MADE A NORMAL STOP AT A LIGHT AND TRUCK CONTINUED TO TRAVEL, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #846331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

ABS BRAKE SENSOR WORN OUT & REPLACED 2X - CAUSE NOT IDENTIFIED BUT OVER 2 MONTHS,MECHANICS DISCOVERED AXLE NUT LOOSENED & LF WHEEL LOOSE,WOBBLY & COMING OFF AXLE(GMC BAD & POTENTIALLY FATAL DESIGN FLAW - SINCE THERE'S NO COTTER PIN USED, TYPICALLY FOUND ON AWD/4WD VEHICLES). MECHANICS "NOTCHED" AXLE SPINDLE TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT NUT LOOSENING, COMING OFF & WHEEL FLYING OFF. LOOSENING AXLE NUT TRACED TO A SUPPOSEDLY BAD WHEEL BEARING(NO TYPICAL WARNING NOISE AT ALL & COST $930 TO REPLACE IN JUNE 1999). POTENTIALLY FATAL DESIGN FLAW REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE! LEHMER'S GMC DEALERSHIP[1851 GALINDO ST, CONCORD, CA94524,(925)685-4481]SAYS TOO MUCH MILEAGE FOR ANY REMUNERATION. I FEEL COST SHOULD BE GMC'S TO BEAR(NOT MINE) AS WELL AS FIXING OTHER WHEELS. IT'LL COST GMC ALOT MORE IN COURT IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, ETC. -LIKE THEIR GAS TANKS PROBLEMS! GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS IT'S NOT IN THEIR HANDS. THANKS VERY MUCH.....

NHTSA complaint #708672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Neches, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKES WORK SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. HAVE TRIED TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED BUT NO ONE CAN FIND PROBLEM.WHEN I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED THE BRAKES START TO WORK. DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER THAT I HAD REPLACED TWO DAYS BEFORE AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #703074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Neches, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES WORK SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. HAVE TRIED TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED BUT NO ONE CAN FIND PROBLEM.WHEN I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED THE BRAKES START TO WORK. DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER THAT I HAD REPLACED TWO DAYS BEFORE AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #703074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spangler, PA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED BUT THE PEDAL BECAME HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #826326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Salle, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #823314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Paul, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES: DRIVING ALONG AND EXITING OFF A FREEWAY RAMP,APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. AFTER A FEW SECOND, THE BRAKES CAUGHT AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE.

NHTSA complaint #820650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Fran, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS, DURING NORMAL BRAKING, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE SYSTEM DOES ITS NORMAL PUMPING, BUT DOES NOT STOP THE VAN AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD. THE VAN GOES ANOTHER COUPLE OF FEET BEFORE STOPPING. THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 2 1/2 YEAR PERIOD. THE SECOND BEING ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO, WITH 58,000 MILES ON VAN.

NHTSA complaint #819041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scott, AR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

EA94-038; WHEN TRAVELING DOWN AN INCLINE AND ON FLAT SURFACE IN WET WEATHER CONDTIONS, CONSUMER NOTICED THE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER ALSO HAD NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM .

NHTSA complaint #817715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hauula, HI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPIED THEY DO NOT STOP VEHICLE. PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER. PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS ON ALL TYPES OF PAVEMENT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #819031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harriman, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BEAKES; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP, THE VEHICLE BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID.

NHTSA complaint #818932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parsons, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

EA94038;THE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A RESULT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #818791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 GMC Safari problems

← Full 1994 GMC Safari report