359 of the
1,537 complaints filed about the GMC Safari
are about the braking system —
23% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
THERE WERE TWO CASES: FIRST I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK WITH A CAR HITTING ME IN THE REAR SO HARD THAT MY BACK COMPARTMENTS WONT OPEN AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WONT GO OFF. ANOTHER CASE WAS AS I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY TO THE LAUNDRY MATT MY POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT SCARED ME TO DEATH AND IS BROKE DOWN NOW. MY THREE CHILDREN ARE USUALLY WITH ME ALWAYS. I HAVE AN 18 YR OLD AUTISTIC GIRL, A 13 YR OLD BOY AND A 4 YEAR OLD BOY. I'M A STAY AT HOME MOM AND USED MY RIDE FOR THE CHILDREN. NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND DONT KNOW IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #11013846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
. 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.
THIS VAN BELONGS TO MY MOTHER. MY SISTER WAS DRIVING THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE IS 60 YRS OF AGE AND A VERY GOOD DRIVER. HER DESCRIPTION: "JUST PULLING AWAY FROM ONE LIGHT & COMING UP TO ANOTHER. WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 20 MPH. STEP ON THE BRAKES & THEY WEREN'T THERE." THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ABOUT $500 IN DAMAGE TO THE HONDA AUTO THAT WAS STRUCK, AND SIMILAR LIGHT DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE SAFARI. I INSPECTED SYSTEM AND FOUND NO LEAKS, AND CONCLUDED THAT MASTER CYLINDER MAY BE FAILING, SO I REPLACED IT. AFTER THAT REPAIR, HAD EXCELLENT PEDAL. I BORROWED THE VAN A FEW DAYS LATER, AND WHILE DRIVING IT, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME NO BRAKE CONDITION 3 TIMES, ONCE WHICH LEFT THE FRONT END OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION (LUCKILY, NO COLLISION). I RECOGNIZED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ERRONEOUSLY KEEPING THE FRONT BRAKES FROM APPLYING, AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE NO BRAKE CONDITION. A GM MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO PULL THE ABS FUSE. I DID SO, AND NOW THE VAN HAS GREAT BRAKES, EVERY TIME. I HAVE DONE THE SAME TO ANOTHER FAMILY VEHICLE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH THIS DANGEROUS SYSTEM; I'M NOT WAITING UNTIL IT CAUSES ANOTHER ACCIDENT. THIS CONDITION SCREAMS FOR YOUR ATTENTION. NO ONE WAS HURT BY THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE INCIDENT (EXCEPT FINANCIALLY), BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP GLIDING INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION, OR OVER A CROSSWALK, AND DOES CAUSE A DEATH OR TWO. PLEASE HAVE ALL THESE DANGEROUS ABS VEHICLES RECALLED, AND HAVE THESE SAFETY FEATURES-TURNED-SAFETY HAZARDS DEFEATED, BEFORE SOMEONE DOES BECOME A VICTIM.
NHTSA complaint #10629776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI AWD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE ABS ACTIVATED ABNORMALLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. UPDATED 03/23/12 *BF UPDATED 04/09/12
NHTSA complaint #10440549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI AWD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE ABS ACTIVATED ABNORMALLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. UPDATED 03/23/12 *BF UPDATED 04/09/12
NHTSA complaint #10440549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. THE SIERRA VAN USES THE SAME COMPONENTS AS THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED BY 05V379000 ON 8/3/05. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WITH DIRTY SPEED SENSORS.
NHTSA complaint #10419790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. THE SIERRA VAN USES THE SAME COMPONENTS AS THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED BY 05V379000 ON 8/3/05. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WITH DIRTY SPEED SENSORS.
NHTSA complaint #10419790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTINUAL AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE PATCHED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS FOR 18 MONTHS WHERE HE HAD THEM REPLACED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BRAKE LINES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 02/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10377164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT, WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES FAILED AND HIT PARKING METER. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE DROVE FINE FOR AWHILE, AND THEN AGAIN, WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES FAILED... AGAIN IN A PARKING LOT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS HIT. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THE WHEEL SENSORS WERE FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM. AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, I DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND SEE NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR WHICH GMC HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND ISSUED A RECALL. BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENCE OF BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING, IT HAS MADE ME PSYCHOLOGICALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE OR EVEN BE A PASSENGER IN THIS CAR. IT IS SUPPOSEDLY "FIXED" RIGHT NOW, BUT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHERS WHO HAVE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED FOR THEM AFTER HAVING THEIR VEHICLE FIXED. SO IT IS A CONSTANT FEAR FACTOR. GMC SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND INCLUDE THIS MODEL/YEAR IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10376168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS O.K. AND THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY CHARGED. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH AND A BRAKE LINING WAS LEAKING. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH LININGS AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND FILL WITH FRESH FLUID. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE PARTS CAME AND THE TECH WAS TO INSTALL THE LININGS THAT THE FLUID WAS SMOKING AND THE TECH ALMOST BURNED HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THREE HOURS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE SERVICE REP COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT GM TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE POSITIVE CABLE FOR GROUNDING. THEY FOUND IT WAS GROUNDING ON THE CENTER LINK OF THE STEERING. THE WORK ORDER SAID THEY RE-ROUTED THE CABLE. I WAS TOLD BY A GM REP IN ARGENTINA THAT GM FELT THAT AFTER THE TIME AND MILEAGE THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I TOLD HIM THAT IF THE CABLE HAD BEEN PROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED REGARDLESS OF THE TIME AND/OR MILES. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE FLUID HAD NOT LEAKED OUT OR BOILED TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. I FEEL IT COST ME ALL MOST $700. AT THIS POINT THAT WAS DO TO THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE GM REP SAID I COULD GO TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU THAT HE COULD DO NOTHING. CAN YOU HELP OR TELL ME WHERE I CAN GO FOR HELP? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10273158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOSS OF BRAKE ACTION DUE TO INSTANT FLUID LOSS. BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO EXTREME AND ISOLATED CORROSION IN BRAKELINE LOCATED AREA OF GASOLINE TANK (FORWARD OF REAR AXLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE.) NO NOTICE OR PRIOR EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. HAVE NOTED MANY INTERNET COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE AND LOCATION ON BOTH GMC SAFARI AND CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS AND SILVERADO LIGHT TRUCKS - YEAR AND/OR MILEAGE NOT A FACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10272630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SECONDLY, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SKIDS. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING A DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 *BF UPDATED 04/24/09.
NHTSA complaint #10263283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 5 OR 6 MPH, IT TOOK 40-50 FEET BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS AND IDLER ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. GMC DENIED HIM REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE A AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,550 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,530. UPDATED 5/5/08 *CN UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10224784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES SQUEAKED AND SHE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE PADS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 40,000 MILES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #10190480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.