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1998 problems

FaultScore report

1998 GMC Safari problems

Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 1998 GMC Safari with NHTSA between 1998 and 2014. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 11 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the GMC Safari All 1998 cars

FaultScore 47/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the GMC Safari.

How this is worked out

The numbers

111

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

80,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 48: Against the median year of the GMC Safari. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 65: 12.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 15: 9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other GMC Safari

Click any bar to open that year's report.

2 11 22 8 25 44 60 66 79 142 256 199 200 111 92 95 55 35 19 8 8

85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1998 GMC Safari

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 15 13.5%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 290,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 11 9.9%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Electrical System 10 9.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 80,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 8 7.2%

Transmission & Drivetrain 8 7.2%

Median failure at 110,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 7 6.3%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

Suspension 6 5.4%

Median failure at 20,900 miles

Steering 6 5.4%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 6 5.4%

Median failure at 30,738 miles

Other & Unspecified 5 4.5%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Wheels 5 4.5%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Seats 4 3.6%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

Airbags 4 3.6%

3 crashes, 0 fires

Equipment & Accessories 3 2.7%

Doors, Latches & Locks 3 2.7%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Lights 3 2.7%

Median failure at 53,000 miles

Body & Structure 3 2.7%

Seat Belts 2 1.8%

Tires 2 1.8%

Exactly what failed

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.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 8 22.2%

Automatic Transmission 8 22.2%

Accelerator Pedal 4 11.1%

Motor 4 11.1%

Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 3 8.3%

Front 3 8.3%

Windshield Wiper/Washer 3 8.3%

Frontal 3 8.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 4.5%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 9.1%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 27.3%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 8 36.4%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 13.6%

150,000+ miles 2 9.1%

When owners complained

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.

Jun 1998 peak 16 Feb 2014

Recalls on the 1998 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

06E043000 19 May 2006

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.

06E026000 23 Mar 2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

03V093000 7 Mar 2003

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Risk: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

01V123000 10 Apr 2001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

99V009000 20 Jan 1999

CHILD SEAT

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.

Risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2003062 10 Mar 2003 40,759 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain vehicles, a short in the electric outside rearview mirror switch could develop. If this were to occur, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch.

Recall 2001097 17 Apr 2001 73,459 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

Certain vehicles fail to comply with requirements of CMVSS No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The "fasten safety-belt" audible warning occasionally may not come on or may terminate in less than four seconds as required by the standard. Correction: Dealers will install a new alarm module.

Recall 1998040 18 Mar 1998 89,752 units in Canada

Emissions

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. Vehicles may been built with the ignition coil wire too close to metal brackets or the transmission fluid fill tube (M/L van only). If the coil wire is too close to these metal objects, arcing may occur and cause failure of the wires which can in turn lead to a stalling/no start condition and/or catalytic converter failures. Correction: coil wire will be repositioned to assure adequate clearance from metal brackets and/or transmission fluid fill tubes.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 21 Aug 2002 Griffin, GA Crash 1 injured

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHILE DRIVING 20-25MPH AND GOING STRAIGHT VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE, AND STEERING FAILED. VEHICLE WAS FORCED TO GO INTO A DITCH DUE TO STEERING WHEEL NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8016921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Jul 2001 Oakland, CA Crash

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

CONSUMER LOST CONTROL BECAUSE BRAKES DID NOT CATCH, CAUSING HIM TO HIT A PARKED CAR. HE WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #891883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Jun 2001 Rockford, IL Crash

STEERING

DRIVER COULD NOT AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLE DUE TO STEERING LOCKING UP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #9001959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Mar 2001 Torrance, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSUMER PULLED UP IN DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR RAIN STORM TO CALM DOWN. VEHICLE WAS OFF AND KEY WAS OUT OF IGNITION. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF POWER WINDOW CONTROLS ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER GOT CHILDREN OUT. TOOK PLYERS AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVEABLE. MANAGER IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID GROUND WIRE TOUCHED CONTROL WIRES.

NHTSA complaint #882577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Mar 2001 Torrance, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

NHTSA complaint #882577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Feb 2001 Manteca, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #881781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 4 Feb 2014 at 290,000 miles Lansing, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES SO CORRODED THAT THEY ARE CRACKING AND SPLITTING LEAKING FLUID AND NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. CORROSION ALSO NOTED ON FUEL LINES, AND VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10562919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Jul 2007 at 110,000 miles Tumwater, WA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. HOWEVER, THEY BEGAN OPERATING AGAIN FIVE TO TEN MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAINFALL IS FREQUENT IN HIS STATE. NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE PRESENT DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 143,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/06/08

NHTSA complaint #10195232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 May 2007 at 160,000 miles Warren, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SAFARI. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 160,000. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A RAINY NIGHT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER SWERVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING HIT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNTIL IT STOPPED RAINING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTOR STOPPED OPERATING BECAUSE THE SOLDER JOINT CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #10189541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2006 at 85,000 miles Kimball, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

1998 SAFARI VAN, RANDOM FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, THERE IS NO PATTERN TO IT, IT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY TO FUNCTION, WHICH IS KIND OF A SAFETY CONCERN, SINCE THE ONLY TIME I USE THE WIPERS IS DURING A RAINSTORM, WHICH REDUCES VISION GREATLY.

NHTSA complaint #10168485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 May 2005 at 30,738 miles Livonia, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1998 GMC SAFARI HAS DIED FIVE TIMES AND EACH TIME THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER STEERING ABILITY.*MR STALLED WHILE DRIVING (NO START), CHECK FUEL SYSTEM. PERFORM FUEL INDUCTION AND THROTTLE BODY CLEAN. R&R OLD BELT, TENSIONER CAME APART, REPLACE TENSIONER AND BELT TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10121529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Feb 2005 at 71,000 miles Fairfax, IA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

OUR VAN BROKE DOWN ON MY WIFE WHILE SHUTTLING 5 KIDS FROM SCHOOL. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PUMP GASOLINE THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS AND SHORT OUT THE COMPUTER. THE REPAIR BILL WAS ESTIMATED AT $3,000.00. THE INJECTORS, THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE COMPUTER ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED A LOCAL GMC DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE HAD 3 OR 4 OF THESE RECENTLY. I CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES AND ASKED THEM FOR INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. WHEN GASOLINE IS SHORTING OUT AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, I SEE A TREMENDOUS RISK OF FIRE. I ASKED GMC SEVERAL TIMES IF THERE WOULD BE POTENTIAL FOR RE-OCCURANCE IN MY VAN AND ALSO IF IT COULD HAPPEN IN OUR BLAZER OF THE SAME YEAR AND ENGINE. THEY HAVE IGNORED EVERY REQUEST. THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS THAT I NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY VEHICLE AT SOME POINT. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS PAST WARRANTY AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I ASKED THEM WHY THEY SENT ME TWO RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE EARLIER THIS YEAR IF IT IS PAST WARRANTY. THEY SAID BECAUSE THE TWO ISSUES WERE A KNOWN PROBLEM. A OUTSIDE MIRROR SWITCH AND AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT WARNING. I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH HAVING TO PAY UPKEEP ON MY VEHICLE. WHEN A PART FAILS IN SUCH AN UNSAFE MANNER AND RUINS A WIRING HARNESS AND A COMPUTER, I SEE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THEY SHOULD ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10111935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Feb 2005 at 93,000 miles SAN Gabriel, CO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1998 GMC SAFARI VAN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL 700, FAILURED AT 93,000 MILES DUE TO A 3RD GEAR SLIPPAGE. I FOUND IN MY RESEARCH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THIS WAS COMMON FOR GMC TRUCKS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION FOR THIS TO FAIL BETWEEN 90,000 AND 100,000 EVEN WITH SCHEDULED SERVICE. GMC AGREED TO REPLACE WITH A FACTORY REBUILD, WHICH THEY DID BUT AT MY COST OF $2,300.00, WITH A 36 MONTH/50,000 MILE WARRANTY. I COULD NOT FIND ANY TECH SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON YOUR WEB SITE, DO YOU HAVE ANYOTHER INFORMATION. GMC AND ITS DEALERSHIP IS ALREADY AWARE OF MY PRODUCT DISPLEASURE WHEN I EXPECT QUAILTY AND DURABILITY IT WAS NOT THERE. PLEASE RESPOND, THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10110285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.