Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2003 GMC Safari with NHTSA between 2003 and 2015.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 11 worst.
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 — 8
Against the median year of the GMC Safari. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 37
21% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 GMC Safari
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
736.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 58,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
210.5%
Median failure at 21,250 miles
Engine & Cooling
210.5%
Median failure at 19,530 miles
Seat Belts
15.3%
Tires
15.3%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.3%
Suspension
15.3%
Median failure at 36,000 miles
Body & Structure
15.3%
Steering
15.3%
Airbags
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 126,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
17.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
535.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
17.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.1%
150,000+ miles
17.1%
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.
Jan 2003peak 3Oct 2015
Recalls on the 2003 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20032186,782 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, interference between the lower ball joint rubber boot and the steering knuckle could result in cutting the boot. If the lower ball joint boot were cut, contamination from the road could enter the ball socket area of the ball joint. Contamination could cause the ball joint to wear out faster than one that remained sealed. Correction: The dealer will modify the spindle for clearance.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 126,000 milesSenton, MICrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10504464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,800 milesMilwaukee, WIFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAFARI. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE CLAMP THAT HELD THE BRAKE LINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE CHANGED THE BRAKE LINE HOSE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MILE AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO THE DRIVE POSITION. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS HOT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,924 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,800.
NHTSA complaint #10188121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 189,000 milesPlainfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINES IN FRONT ARE RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING CREATING A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AS THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. I SEE THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH GMC VEHICLES. THE COST TO REPAIR IS ASTRONOMICAL. WHY ISN'T GMC RECALLING THESE VEHICLES?
NHTSA complaint #10779874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesHamilton Twsp, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT I HAD WITH MY AUTOMOBILE: GMC SAFARI WAGON 2003. ONE DAY IN JULY THIS YEAR (2014) I APPLIED THE BRAKES OF THE ABOVE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS APPROACHING THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN THROUGH THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS RECENTLY WORKED ON. I INVESTIGATED THE REASON WHY IT FAILED TO STOP AND FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS HEAVILY CORRODED.
NHTSA complaint #10639617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesSenton, MICrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10504464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesOldsmar, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
OUR 2003 GMC SAFARI HAS HAD THE BRAKES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT AT LEAST SIX TIMES (EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO) FOR THE PAST YEAR. EACH TIME, THE PEDAL JUST DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, THE "BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE HAVE HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET IT TO FINALLY ROLL TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY IT HAS BEEN AT SLOW SPEEDS EACH TIME AND WE HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS YET. WE HAVE BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS REPEATEDLY AND SPENT OVER $1000.00 FOR VARIOUS BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS THAT ARE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. WE THINK IT IS EITHER A BOOSTER OR SENSOR ISSUE, BUT THE DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT LISTEN TO US AND GMC'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL EITHER. WE ARE TERRIFIED OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BUT CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10277216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal River, FL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
PURCHASED BOOSTER SEATS FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN. A CERTIFIED INSPECTOR SHOWED US THAT ALL FOUR REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN PULLED QUICKLY INDICATING THAT THE SEATBELTS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE CHILD IN AN ACCIDENT (OR AN ADULT EITHER). TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THE SEATBELTS LOCK WHEN YOU BRAKE HARD, BUT ARE NOT MADE FOR CHILDREN'S BOOSTER SEATS. WE ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT VEHICLES MADE AFTER 2001 HAD TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SEATBELTS FOR CHILD SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10188357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,800 milesMilwaukee, WIFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAFARI. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE CLAMP THAT HELD THE BRAKE LINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE CHANGED THE BRAKE LINE HOSE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MILE AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE TO THE DRIVE POSITION. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS HOT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,924 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,800.
NHTSA complaint #10188121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CORROSION HAS BUILT UP ON THE ABS SENSORS CAUSING THEM TO ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKES DON'T LOCK UP AND AT LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 4 MPH) THAT MEANS THE VEHICLE TAKES AN EXTRA FEW FEET TO STOP. ON ONE OCCASION I ALMOST HIT A PERSON AND TWO OTHER TIMES A PARKED CAR IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE CAR DIDN'T STOP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT SO THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CAN'T FIX IT. THERE IS A GM RECALL (#05068) FOR OTHER LIKE MODELS OF GM CARS BUT NOT MINE. SO MY PROBLEM IS THE DEALER CAN'T FIX IT WITHOUT A RECALL AND GM WON'T ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10150922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,400 milesKeizer, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I OWN A 2003 GMC SAFARI WHICH I PURCHASED IN UTAH. EARLIER THIS YEAR I EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BAKING SYSTEM WHERE THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE AT LOW SPEEDS, INCREASING MY STOPPING DISTANCE GREATLY. I CONTACTED GM AS THIS SEEMED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT IN TO A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND NOTED THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD AND BILLED ME FOR A REPAIR. I SEE NOW THAT GM HAS ISSUE A RECALL, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT COVER MY STATE OR VEHICLE MODEL, I WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT THESE OTHER VEHICLES HAVE WITH THE ABS FAILURE. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE MORE WIDELY INVESTIGATED AS IT SEEMS TO BE A LARGER PROBLEM THEN THEY WANT TO ADMIT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY PRODUCTS USED ON ICY STREETS WHICH THE VAN OPERATED ON IN UTAH BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. PS-THE DEALERSHIP DESTROYED THE FAULTY PART EVEN THOUGH I ASKED TO SEE IT - THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS THERE POLICY.
NHTSA complaint #10135233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AT IRREGULAR TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS (~10 MPH), ON DRY CLEAN PAVEMENT, AND UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES AND EXTENDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER VEHICLES IN OTHER STATES, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM EXTENDS TO MORE YEAR MODELS AND OVER A WIDER AREA. IN ADDITION, GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #02-05-25-006A COVERING MORE VEHICLES THAN WERE IN THE INITIAL RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. IT SEEMS THAT IF A TSB WAS RELEASED, THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM IS ON MUCH WIDER SCALE THAN THE RECALL INDICATES.
NHTSA complaint #10134767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesWarrensburg, MO
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10109319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60 milesHiawassee, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DAMPNER FAILED, PURCHASE VAN WITH THIS PROBLEM 3 MONTHS AGO AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE DAMPNER PART FROM GMC. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ONLY 60 MILES ON IT. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, PRIOR TO PURCHASE, THERE WAS A HARMONIC ROAR NOISE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR.
NHTSA complaint #10099916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesAthens, TN
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V328000. RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT DEALERSHIP. AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED CONSUMER NOTICED TIRES WERE WEARING VERY BADLY ON THE OUTSIDE, AND WERE LOSING ALL TREAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO TIRE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. BRIDGESTONE, P215/70R16. HAD TIRES ALIGNED AND ROTATED AFTER 11,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10089517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesLake Lure, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED, THE FAN MOTOR WAS REPLACED, AND ALL OF THESE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10087674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesLake Lure, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED, THE FAN MOTOR WAS REPLACED, AND ALL OF THESE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10087674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH ENGINE IDLED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10055630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Charles, MO
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS A VIBRATION CAUSING VIEWING DISTORTION. *MR THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATIONS WHICH CAUSED VARIOUS DEGREES OF DISTORTION. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE NAUSEA, HEAD ACHES, AND BODY TENSION. ROAD CONDITIONS, WEATHER/TEMPERATURE, AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE HAVE ALL EFFECTED THE MIRROR VIBRATIONS. (THE PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS PERFECT) *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10037937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELK Grove Village, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN RAINING /OR GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH REAR OF VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STANDING WATER ON FLOOR. ALSO ON THE BACK PANEL, WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR THE LIGHT DOESN'T GO ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES . *AK
NHTSA complaint #10024921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesRED Lion, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING FORWARD WHILE IN REVERSE. THE GM TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. *NLM *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10011257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Salem, OH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE HYDRO BOOST FAILED CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK AND SLIGHT LOST OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.