30 of the 199 complaints about the 1996 GMC Safari are about the braking system — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 109,500 miles.
30
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES THERE WAS A NOISE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY WILL REPLACE THE ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10106855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR, WE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM W/ABS BRAKES. WHEN YOU WOULD SLOW DOWN & GET TO ABOUT 20 MPH, THE VAN WOULD START TO LOCK UP RENDERING THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL & UNABLE TO STOP. WE TOOK IT TO OUR USUAL MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE SENSOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS BAD & REPLACED IT. THAT LASTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS & WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCUR. AGAIN, OUR MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT (PULLING HIS HAIR OUT MIND YOU) & DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS UNEQUAL VOLTAGE, SO HE REPLACED BOTH SENSORS. NOW AGAIN WE STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AS OF TODAY, THE ABS LIGHT IS ON & THE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. WE ARE NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS STOPPING NOW. ANYWAY, I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH & NOTICED THAT A GOOD NUMBER OF GM VEHICLES HAVE HAD ABS RECALLS, 1 STORY I READ WAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I REQUESTED SEVERAL THINGS FROM GM. 1) DIRECTION TO GO NOW; 2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE EXPENSES(APPROX $800); 3) ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED THE RIGHT WAY & 4)A RECALL BE PLACED ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE ALSO. IF THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON IT, WE DID NOT RECEIVE IT IN THE MAIL. UNFORTUNATELEY, I WAS SENT A REPLY BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE 1996 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. IF I FEEL THERE'S A FAILURE, THEN I SHOULD VISIT A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT (AT MY OWN EXPENSE PROBABLY). THERE'S AN OBVIOUS TRACK RECORD WITH THIS ABS SYSTEM, HOWEVER IT DOESNT SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10070281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN BRAKES PRESSED ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHICH CAUSES A DELAYED STOP-TIME OF ABOUT 3 SECONDS. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10056627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. *AK *TS
NHTSA complaint #10033874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MRTHE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. THERE WAS AN AIR CONDITIONING LINE ROUTED ACROSS THE BRAKE LINE WHICH WORE A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE CAUSING THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #8020427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 10 M.P.H. IN PREPARATION TO STOP BEHIND SEVERAL VEHICLES AT A RED LIGHT. I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. I THEN PUT FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THIS BRAKE FAILURE, MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT WHICH IN TURN STRUCK A THIRD VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. AT THIS TIME HOWEVER, HE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #753776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
HYDROBOOST UNIT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY .5-10 MPH, CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKES. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK. CONSUMER STATES HYDROBOOST UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #888183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HYDROBOOST UNIT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY .5-10 MPH, CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKES. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK. CONSUMER STATES HYDROBOOST UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #888183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
BELT TENSIONER FELL OFF, CAUSING CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES . BELT RUNS THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #871665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCLERATED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ACCLERATOR WHICH GOT STUCK. DRIVER COULD NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. TRIED APPLY BRAKES, BUT BRAKES BURNED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION TO STOP IT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #866396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 WHEN ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND IT WAS HARD TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM SPEEDING UP AND TO TRYING TO KEEP CONTROL, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER FINALLY SHIFTED GEAR INTO PARK, WHICH THEN STOPPED VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, AND NOTICED BRAKES HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #866120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON/ PEDAL JERKED, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER. HE SAID THAT IT WAS A SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE RESET. REPLACED COMPUTER MODULE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEALER ABOUT FIVE TIMES, AND IS STILL AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #863796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED IN DEC. AND IN FEB. I HAD JUST DRIVEN IN FROM GA TO CA AND IT WAS 7:30AM IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND THE FRONT OF THE AIR CONDIT. UNIT FELL OFF. I HEARD WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ROCKS HITTING UNDER THE FRONT END AND LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS BEARINGS, BUT JUST AS I HEARD THE SOUND I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL .. I HIT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY AND POWER STEERED MY VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL . IF I HAD BEEN GOING 60 ON THE FREEWAY INSTEAD OF 10 MILES AN HR. I PROBLEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE BIGGEST TROUBLE OF MY LIFE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES OR STEERING, SOMEHOW THE TWO ARE CONNECTED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE AND WHEN I SPOKE TO DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIRMEN. THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF IT EITHER.. I HAD REPLACE THE AC IN THE VAN IN DEC, AND PAID 500.00 . I HAVE HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE AC FROM THE TIME I FIRST GOT THE VAN. I HOPE NO ONE EVER HAS THIS PROBLEM OR HURTS SOMEONE BECAUSE THERE AIR CONDITIONER FALLS APART. THE RUNNING OF THE AUTO AND THE CONNECTION TO THE A/C SHOULD NEVER BE HOOKED TOGETHER. AC'S GO OUT ALOT IN AUTO'S AND THIS IS A SURE WAY TO KILL SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #722144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
STARTED VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND HEARD A CLUNKING & GRINDING NOISE. KEPT VEHICLE RUNNING, BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, TURNED THE WHEEL, AND THERE WAS NO STEERING. WENT TO APPLY BRAKES , AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK. VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BRAKES DUE TO TENSION PULLEY WAS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #862104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
OCCASIONALLY VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ON BRAKING. YH
NHTSA complaint #550278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING NOISE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIED BRAKES AND SYSTEM FAILED SPORADICALY, MOST FAILURES UNDER DRY CONDITION ON ASPHALT. TWO BRAKE MODULES, COMPUTER MODULE, MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPERS, PADS, ROTORS ALL BEEN REPLACED. FRONT TIRES REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES. PEDAL CAN BE PRESSED TO FLOOR AT ANY TIME, FAILURE HAS A MUSHY PEDAL WITH A COASTING TO A STOP. SOME TIME MAKING NOISE (UNLIKE THAT OF ABS SYSTEM) UNTIL PEDAL IS RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #536883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES OVERHEAT TO LOCKING UP.
NHTSA complaint #532768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BUSHINGS MAKE A POPPING NOISES JUST BEFORE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #530800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING FOOT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL LOSE PRESSURE AND GO TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN AT A STOP SIGN, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO MOVE FORWARD A LITTLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN WET CONDITIONS AND PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, THE TRUCK JUST KEPT GOING. HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE TRUCK WILL STOP.
NHTSA complaint #816384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PROBLEMS INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AND FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DRIVELINE IS MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #814191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
UPON MAKING A STOP THE FRONT BRAKES GRAB, RESULTING IN A LOUD GRINDING SOUND, CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE CLEANED.
NHTSA complaint #812393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES. HE STATES THAT IN WET WHEATHER THE REAR ABS BRAKES LOCK UP AND DO NOT RELEASE.OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #812225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #603009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING A POPPING NOISE FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA.
NHTSA complaint #514969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, SHE STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, SHE ALSO NOTES THAT HER BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #808846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, ON WET ROAD SURFACE VEHICLE HAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE .AK
NHTSA complaint #807250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL IS SO HIGH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE WITH FOOT.
NHTSA complaint #511864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE ABS BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #804788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.