FaultScore

1997 GMC Safari window and wiper problems

34 of the 200 complaints about the 1997 GMC Safari are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,902 miles.

B

34

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield Wiper/Washer 13 38.2%
Motor 8 23.5%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 6 17.6%
Windshield 2 5.9%
Fan/Motor 2 5.9%
Visibility 2 5.9%
Motor 1 2.9%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every GMC Safari year

1994 30 19.4%
1995 44 28.4%
1996 36 23.2%
1997 34 21.9%
1998 11 7.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 171,000 miles LA Crete, Alberta, 00

VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILURE, APPROXIMATELY IN EARLY 2006 ON 1000K TRIP. PARTS PURCHASED MODULE N12463 PART NUMBER 12463090 FROM DEALER IN EDMONTON AT COST OF $64.87 INCLUDING GST.. RETURNED HOME 1000K AS DEALER TOO BUSY TOO FIX, AND PAID $36.00 LABOR TO HAVE INSTALLED. TOTAL COST FOR MODULE AND LABOR: $100.87. MY REQUEST IS FOR GM TO PAY THIS $100.87 AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AT ANY TIME IN THE LIFE OF THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10227944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverside, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETRERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10115908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, MI

VISIBILITY

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10059141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE HAD WITH THE CHASSIS AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. (NAR) *PH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AC/ HEATER, GAS GAUGE, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, ELECTRIC WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #10066973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE HAD WITH THE CHASSIS AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. (NAR) *PH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AC/ HEATER, GAS GAUGE, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, ELECTRIC WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #10066973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,804 miles Wahiawa, HI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

SEPTEMBER 1, 1999: AC PROBLEM (NOT COOLING) REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOVEMBER 3, 1999: LEFT DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (NOT PASSENGER SIDE AS DOCUMENTED ON THE INVOICE). JANUARY 31, 2003: I WROTE TO GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL, DETAILING SOME PROBLEMS THAT HAD DEVELOPED WITH MY VAN. I COMPLAINED THAT THE DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I MENTIONED WAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ERRATICALLY. MY LOW SETTING ON THE AC FAN WAS INOPERABLE, AND EVENTUALLY ALL 3 LEVELS STOPPED. I HAD BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR OVER A YEAR, BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOM, WORK FULL TIME AND COULDNT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION. THE REPLY I GOT WAS THAT MY VAN WAS TOO OLD, AND THINGS BREAK. THREE MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN THE MAIL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MAY 8, 2003: I TOOK MY VAN INTO THE CLOSEST GMC DEALER TO HAVE MY DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR ($329.38) AND THE AC RESISTOR REPLACED ($103.24), AND PERFORM THE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. JULY 22, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER TO REPAIR AC PROBLEM (AC BLOWS FROM DEFROSTER AND NOT FROM VENTS) THAT DEVELOPED MAY 10, 2003.($132.50) SEPTEMBER 24, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR SAME AC PROBLEM THAT RETURNED JULY 30, 2003. THAT VAN WAS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL DAY, AND WAS NEVER REPAIRED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR FOR WORK AND COULD NOT LEAVE IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THEM. I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VAN AGAIN UNTIL JUST RECENTLY, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL SUCH TIME I COULD AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE CAR FOR A DAY. APRIL 20, 2004: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR AC PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THE HOSE WAS BROKEN IN A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN BEFORE. (169.24). DURING THE DRIVE HOME, THE AC PROBLEM RETURNED. APRIL 29, 2004: VAN WONT START DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND STILL SAME PROBLEM RETURNS. NOW I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE THAT IS KILLING MY BATTERY, AND I CANT FIND IT.

NHTSA complaint #10072604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,804 miles Wahiawa, HI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

SEPTEMBER 1, 1999: AC PROBLEM (NOT COOLING) REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOVEMBER 3, 1999: LEFT DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (NOT PASSENGER SIDE AS DOCUMENTED ON THE INVOICE). JANUARY 31, 2003: I WROTE TO GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL, DETAILING SOME PROBLEMS THAT HAD DEVELOPED WITH MY VAN. I COMPLAINED THAT THE DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I MENTIONED WAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ERRATICALLY. MY LOW SETTING ON THE AC FAN WAS INOPERABLE, AND EVENTUALLY ALL 3 LEVELS STOPPED. I HAD BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR OVER A YEAR, BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOM, WORK FULL TIME AND COULDNT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION. THE REPLY I GOT WAS THAT MY VAN WAS TOO OLD, AND THINGS BREAK. THREE MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN THE MAIL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MAY 8, 2003: I TOOK MY VAN INTO THE CLOSEST GMC DEALER TO HAVE MY DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR ($329.38) AND THE AC RESISTOR REPLACED ($103.24), AND PERFORM THE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. JULY 22, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER TO REPAIR AC PROBLEM (AC BLOWS FROM DEFROSTER AND NOT FROM VENTS) THAT DEVELOPED MAY 10, 2003.($132.50) SEPTEMBER 24, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR SAME AC PROBLEM THAT RETURNED JULY 30, 2003. THAT VAN WAS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL DAY, AND WAS NEVER REPAIRED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR FOR WORK AND COULD NOT LEAVE IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THEM. I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VAN AGAIN UNTIL JUST RECENTLY, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL SUCH TIME I COULD AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE CAR FOR A DAY. APRIL 20, 2004: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR AC PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THE HOSE WAS BROKEN IN A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN BEFORE. (169.24). DURING THE DRIVE HOME, THE AC PROBLEM RETURNED. APRIL 29, 2004: VAN WONT START DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND STILL SAME PROBLEM RETURNS. NOW I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE THAT IS KILLING MY BATTERY, AND I CANT FIND IT.

NHTSA complaint #10072604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 149,000 miles Lancaster, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10059608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Pleasant, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10033753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Balt, MD

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENLY. MR

NHTSA complaint #767769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL INTERMITTENLY STOP WORKING WHEN THE CONSUMER HAS THE WIPERS IN USE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #8019575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BEGAN TO PERFORM ERRATIC, NOW WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8014789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Loves Park, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO USE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY BECOME INOPERABLE. MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8014199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gautier, MS

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE MOST OF THE TIME. MUST STOP ON SIDE OF ROAD AND MANUALLY START THEM , THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROCEDURE WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN AND TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #764149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Louis, MO

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE OPERATING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #8013758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

White Lake, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT GO ON WHEN RAINING WHEN DRIVING. FAN BLOWS AIR OUT OF DEFROSTER ONLY NO MATTER WHAT POSITION DIAL IS SET AT [AIR,HEAT,BI-LEVEL,FLOOR NO MATTER WHERE].

NHTSA complaint #760425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lawrenceville, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS DURING RAIN THEY WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8004626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lawrenceville, GA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER SIDE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8004631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toledo, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK WHEN TURNED ON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED IT WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8001170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Milford, NJ

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

GM CHAS A FAILURE IN THE SAFARI AND THEY DON'T CARE, IT'S A LEMON!! NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED.

NHTSA complaint #751372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Milford, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

GM CHAS A FAILURE IN THE SAFARI AND THEY DON'T CARE, IT'S A LEMON!! NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED.

NHTSA complaint #751372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grapevine, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, HAVE NOTED UNFORTUNATLEY WHEN IT START TO RAIN THAT THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS ACTIVATE WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RECTIFIED BY GETTING OUT OF THE VAN, OPENING THE HOOD AND PRESSING THE WIRE CONECTIONS TOGETHER. HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE WIPERS WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE. ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS HAVE POWER AMD THE PLUG CONNECTION IS TIGHT AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO LOOSEN. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE JUST MY PROBLEM, BUT A NEIGHBOR WHO OWNS A 94 SUBURBAN STATES HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST CONTACTED THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THEY SAID NO. HAVE ASKED THAT THE ZONE REP GIVE ME A CALL.

NHTSA complaint #748517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Orchard, WA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THIS PROBLEM RLESS THAN 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VAN, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP 12K AGO, BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS REOCURRED. IN ADDITION, HAVE HAD A POWER WINDOW MOTOR GO OUT, BLOWER FAN BURN UP, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS AFTER BEING SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP AND LASTLY A FUEL GAUGE THAT REFUSES TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #739911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Orchard, WA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

THIS PROBLEM RLESS THAN 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VAN, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED AT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP 12K AGO, BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS REOCURRED. IN ADDITION, HAVE HAD A POWER WINDOW MOTOR GO OUT, BLOWER FAN BURN UP, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS AFTER BEING SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP AND LASTLY A FUEL GAUGE THAT REFUSES TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #739911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodstock, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

UNDERSTAND GMC IS AWARE OF MOTOR/CIRCUIT CONTROL WINDSHIED FAILURE(WHAT CAUSES WIPERS NOT TO WORK) BECAUSE AT THE DEALER THEY SAID GMC HAD ISSUE A REPLACEMENT KIT BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT I HAD TO PAY AROUND $300 FOR IT. I THINK GMC SHOULD GO AHEAD A PAY FOR IT SINCE THEY KNOW IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #726514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm City, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

VEHICLE STALLS AT A SLOW SPEED OR WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM A STOP POSITION. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON 12 OCCASIONS, AND AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. ROTORS REPAIRED/OUT OF ROUND, MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED, HEADLAMP SWITCH REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #858704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Acworth, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

A NEW VEHICHLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. GMC COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MY PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM. EACH TIME COST OVER $1,000 DOLLARS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #719600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Acworth, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

A NEW VEHICHLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. GMC COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MY PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM. EACH TIME COST OVER $1,000 DOLLARS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #719600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Athens, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING DURING OPERATION, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #854212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE LEFT REAR WINDOW BRACKET FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SLAM ON CHILDS FINGERS AFTER IT HAD BEEN SERVICED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #548976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 GMC Safari problems

← Full 1997 GMC Safari report