FaultScore

GMC Safari fuel system problems

68 of the 1,537 complaints filed about the GMC Safari are about the fuel system — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.

68

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

1987 Safari 2 2.9%
1993 Safari 3 4.4%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

1994 Safari 4 5.9%
1995 Safari 8 11.8%

Median failure at 94,000 miles

1996 Safari 8 11.8%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

1997 Safari 18 26.5%

Median failure at 71,200 miles

1998 Safari 7 10.3%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

1999 Safari 8 11.8%
2000 Safari 8 11.8%

Median failure at 29,300 miles

2001 Safari 1 1.5%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2004 Safari 1 1.5%

Median failure at 134,000 miles

What owners said

2004 GMC Safari at 134,000 miles Mount Airy, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE RUBBING AGAINST THE FUEL LINE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE WOULD COST BETWEEN $800-$1,000. SHE WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE DEFECT APPEARED TO BE WEAKENING THE FUEL LINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE ISSUE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

NHTSA complaint #10267162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Safari at 37,000 miles Pahrump, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL LEAK IN SAFARI SUPPLIED FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE GENERATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10167944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 GMC Safari at 5,000 miles Lanark, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

THROTTLE STICKS WHEN DRIVING ON CRUSE CONTROL AND UPON START UP AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT. MY GM DELAER BLAMES UPON THE CHEEP BLEND OF FUEL. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT GM REPLACED AND REPAIRED MAY OF THE THROTTLE BODIES WITH THIS CONDITION. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. I COULD CLEAR THIS CONDITION BY TAPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY LAST TRIP HAD THE ACELLERATOR STICK AND I WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10128705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 GMC Safari at 50,000 miles Bakersfield, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE FUEL PUMP ON MY GMC 2001 SAFARI VAN MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE. I AM LOOKING INTO WHY THIS WOULD OCCUR ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED OTHER GMC'S AND NOT HEARD OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. I FEEL THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND AM LOOKING TO HAVE IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHOUT CHARGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10118417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 GMC Safari at 87,000 miles Lockport, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

PROBLEM WITH 1996 GMC SAFARI VAN NOT STARTING. *BF THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING FUEL. UPON RETRIEVING THE FUEL PUMP FROM THE GAS TANK, HE FOUND IT TO HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE ACTUAL FAILURE WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP, BUT BECAUSE IT GENERATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THE HOSE COMING FROM THE PUMP ALONG THE CONNECTION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD TO HAVE A REBUILT ENGINE INSTALLED AFTER THE FIRST ENGINE FAILED WITH ONLY 87,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10115064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Safari at 36,000 miles Saint Louis, MO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10113603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 GMC Safari at 62,000 miles Cranberry Township, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE GASOLINE LINE HAD RUSTED, AND THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10112921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Safari 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.

2000 GMC Safari Cranberry Township, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

THE DRIVER NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE. A BROWN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING ERRATICALLY AND DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE GASOLINE WAS CORRODED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10111713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 GMC Safari Santa Maria, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

SAFARI ENGINE UNPEDICTABLY STOPPED WHNE COVERING SHORT DISTANCE. ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *BF ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASION, WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION OF A DYING ENGINE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD GO UP, BUT WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT READ CORRECTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10109528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 GMC Safari at 29,300 miles Burlingame, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. *NM

NHTSA complaint #10107305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Safari Warren, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

1997 GMC Safari Virginia Beach, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

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.

1996 GMC Safari at 98,162 miles Saint Clair Shores, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGH,THE SERVICE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE ENGINE MIFIRED. THIS OCCURED BECAUSE THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE EITHER STUCK IN THE OPEN OR CLOSE POSITION. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED DUE TO DEPOSIT BUILD UP WHICH CAUSED THE POPPET VALVE TO STICK AND FAIL. THERE WAS TSB #000604003B ON THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE INJECTORS, BUT SHOULD OF REPLACED THE CSFI FUEL SYSTEM AS PER THE TSB.

NHTSA complaint #10083368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 GMC Safari at 66,000 miles Jamestown, NC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE - RECALLED - DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS REPAIRED, NOW WIPERS OPERATE WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. BOTH TORSION RODS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WITHIN 1 DAY APART OF EACH OTHER. MECHANIC REVEALED THAT GM NOW HAS A SPECIAL TECHNIQUE TO BE DONE WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IT COSTS AN EXTRA $90 TO REPAIR. WHICH MEANS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT RECALL THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE AT THEIR COST. BROKEN SPARK PLUG ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL DOWN, DRIVER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT OPERATE.

NHTSA complaint #10070505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Safari at 114,000 miles Delanson, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

SMELLED GASOLINE. CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FITTING WHERE THE SUPPLY LINE TRANSITIONS FORM A PLASTIC HOSE THAT ORIGINATES AT THE FUEL PUMP TO THE 3/8 INCH STEEL FUEL LINE. THIS LEAK WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE HOT EXHAUST MUFFLER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10064589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 GMC Safari at 94,000 miles Chamblee, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

RAW GAS ODOR IN EXHAUST, SOMETIMES EXHAUST HAS FOUL ODOR, ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AT TIMES. WAS TAKEN TO DEALER IN APRIL 2003, COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG IN THEIR DIAGNOSTICS, SYMPTOMS HAVE SLOWLY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. SUSPECT LATENT DEFECT IN FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSING A FUEL LEAK INSIDE OF ENGINE (INTAKE MANIFOLD). SINCE A DLEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITH NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS EMISSIONS CONTROL DEFECT AS WELL AS A POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECT. THIS WOULD AFFECT ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE, THIS DEFECT IS NOT SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10060423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Safari at 71,200 miles SF, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

THE BAFFLE ON THE THROTTLE BODY CAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN WIDE OPEN. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10059917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 GMC Safari at 36,000 miles Long Beach, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

VEHICLE IDLED AND STARTED ROUGHLY. ALSO, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE UPON STARTING. THIS WAS CAUSED BY MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE (NOT FOUND IN ARTEMIS).

NHTSA complaint #10053441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Safari Springfield, VT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL RAIL LINE SYSTEM WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER REPLACED FUEL RAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10048128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Safari problems