Owners have filed 64 complaints
about the 1999 GMC Savana with NHTSA between 1999 and 2014.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 12 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 — 97
Against the median year of the GMC Savana. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 48
9.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
330.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
440.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
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.
Sep 1999peak 9Feb 2014
Recalls on the 1999 GMC Savana
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
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
00V085000
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE THAT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2000076513 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the power steering cooler hose may separate from the power brake booster fluid flow switch assembly. If this occurs, power steering fluid could flow onto hot engine parts and an engine compartment fire could occur. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, install three new screw clamps to the power steering hose joints.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 25,200 milesTucson, AZCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD TO MAKE A "PANIC STOP". I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. FELT THE VEHICLE SHUDDER SEVERAL TIMES AND FELT WHAT I ASSUMED WAS THE ABS BRAKES CYCLING, THEN THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLED FORWARD...NO BRAKING AT ALL WAS FELT, RESULTING IN A REAR-END COLLISION. I KNOW THAT IF I HAD PROPERLY FUNCTIONING BRAKES, I WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN A SAFE DISTANCE. WHEN I FELT THE DECELERATION STOP, I PUSHED EVEN HARDER ON THE PEDAL, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE IN VELOCITY AND NO MORE ROOM FOR THE PEDAL TO MOVE. THERE WAS AT LEAST 15 BETWEEN VEHICLESAT THIS POINT,&..I COULD /SHOULD HAVE STOPPED SAFELY, WITH NO COLLISION IF THE BRAKES HAD WORKED PROPERLY!
NHTSA complaint #10049621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT FORD PICKUP REARENDED GMC ON PASSENGER'S REAR CORNER AND PUSHED IT INTO REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES, AND RECEIVED EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8006969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venus, TXCrash1 injured
SEATS
THE GMC VAN WAS WEST BOUND ON HWY 67 AND WAS AT A STOP YIELDING FOR TRAFFIC TURNING ONTO CR 209. THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO WEST BOUND WAS NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD WHILE HAVING HER HEAD DOWN LOOKING ON THE FLOOR BOARD AND DID NOT SEE THE VAN STOPPED AND REARENDED IT. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH AND NEVER APPLIED HER BRAKES. UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE COMPLETELY AND WHEN THE DRIVER CAME TO HE WAS LAID OUT FLAT IN THE SEAT ON THE FLOOR BOARD LOOKING UP AT THE CEILING. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BREAKAGE THAT BANGED INTO HIS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #747085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holbrook, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED UNDER NORMAL STOPPING CONDITIONS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PRIOR TO INCIDENT DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #890165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 130,000 milesMccallister, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SAVANNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FUND THAT THE STARTER BOLT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10564196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesHomer Glen, IL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE POWER BRAKE/STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE, RENDERING THE POWER BRAKE AND STEERING INOPERABLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL AND PRESENTED A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES AT THE TIME. I WAS AND REMAIN CONCERNED THAT THE PART DEFECT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED EARLIER AND PRESENTED A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT I WANT TO KNOW IF THE REPLACEMENT PART IS SAFE AND HOW GMC WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR ALL OF THE COSTS I INCURRED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS VERY DISTRESSING TO LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING FASTER, INJURIES MOST ASSUREDLY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I HAVE SEEN ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET THAT A 2000 GMC SAVANA VAN RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10166024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSummerfield, FL
STEERING
STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. DEALER STATED THE CONVERSION COMPANY MADE THE VEHICLE TOO HEAVY.
NHTSA complaint #10117371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,321 milesWebster, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM......IT HAPPENED AFTER MAKING A SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER COULD NOT STEER THE VAN LEFT RIGHT.THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE SHAFT FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WA SSHEARED IN HALF.
NHTSA complaint #10107394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT. Prospect, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DEFECTIVE HINGES ON SIDE CARGO DOORS. SIDE DOORS NOT FREQUENTLY USED. REPEATEDLY GREASED/OILED TO REDUCE TENSION AND FORCE NECESSARY TO OPERATE DOORS. DOORS NOW INOPERABLE. HINGES CRACKED & RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AFTER ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OF OWNING VEHICLE. PASSENGERS WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE IF USING CENTER SEATS. HINGES ARE USELESS. PER GMC, MY PROBLEM; TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE & IT'S ISSUES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10102286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesMaryland Heights, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HINGES ON 60/40 CARGO DOORS ARE VERY STIFF. DOORS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. RECENTLY, LOWER HINGE ON 40 DOOR HAS BROKEN. REPLACEMENT OF ALL HINGES ON THESE DOORS IS APPROXIMATELY $1100. HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM (HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HINGES ON 95 VANDURA).
NHTSA complaint #10068220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Angelo, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10071942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,500 milesGreene, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10064668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SEATS
PASSENGER SEAT HAS TIPPED BACK; THREE TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HINGE PIN AND PUT A SMALL SPROCKET TO LOCK IN PLACE. THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY REASON SOMEONE HASN'T BEEN HURT IS THE DISCOVERY OF THE MISSING PINS WHEN A PASSENGER IS LOADING INTO THE BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10055099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moore, OK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10053623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,200 milesTucson, AZCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD TO MAKE A "PANIC STOP". I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. FELT THE VEHICLE SHUDDER SEVERAL TIMES AND FELT WHAT I ASSUMED WAS THE ABS BRAKES CYCLING, THEN THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLED FORWARD...NO BRAKING AT ALL WAS FELT, RESULTING IN A REAR-END COLLISION. I KNOW THAT IF I HAD PROPERLY FUNCTIONING BRAKES, I WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN A SAFE DISTANCE. WHEN I FELT THE DECELERATION STOP, I PUSHED EVEN HARDER ON THE PEDAL, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE IN VELOCITY AND NO MORE ROOM FOR THE PEDAL TO MOVE. THERE WAS AT LEAST 15 BETWEEN VEHICLESAT THIS POINT,&..I COULD /SHOULD HAVE STOPPED SAFELY, WITH NO COLLISION IF THE BRAKES HAD WORKED PROPERLY!
NHTSA complaint #10049621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uniontown, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
SIDE DOOR HINGES ARE STIFF, CAUSING THE DOOR TO BEARLY OPEN. THE HINGE IS CAUSING THE SHEET METAL TO FLEX AS IT TRIES TO OPEN AND CLOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10033477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesBAY Shore, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE "ENGINE" CRACKED, RESULTING IN A SEVERE COOLANT LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10024924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesToms River, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASGETS DETERIATING AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10005807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesToms River, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASGETS DETERIATING AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10005807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benicia, CA
TIRES
DRIVING AT 65MI HR.--SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION CAR COME VERY CLOSE TO ROLLING OVER--REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES & HAD TO REPLACE A RIM
NHTSA complaint #9006278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Solon Springs, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER GETS DIZZY AND ALSO GETS A HEADACHE WHEN LOOKING THROUGH WINDSHIELD. LOOKS LIKE WINDSHIELD HAS WAVES AND SPOTS IN IT. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8009199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT FORD PICKUP REARENDED GMC ON PASSENGER'S REAR CORNER AND PUSHED IT INTO REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES, AND RECEIVED EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8006969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avoca, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER STATES SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE, BOLTS AND HINGES WERE RUSTED AND FROZEN, DEALER CONTACTED BUT NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8004676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avoca, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATES SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE, BOLTS AND HINGES WERE RUSTED AND FROZEN, DEALER CONTACTED BUT NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8004676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE DRIVING CHILD IN PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT NOTICED SEAT GETTING VERY HOT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND SAW HEATER OF THE SEAT HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, NJ
TIRES
I HAD THE TYPICAL FIRESTONE EXPERIENCE EXCEPT THIS TIME IT WAS WITH A GM MODEL AND A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRE. THE TREAD ON THIS TIRE JUST PEELED RIGHT OFF. LUCKILY, I'M ALIVE TO TALK ABOUT IT. FIRESTONE SAID IT WAS UNDERINFLATED. I DISAGREE. I USED THE BEST AND MOST EFFICENT MECHANIC IN TOWN AND HE ALWAYS KEEPS THE PRESSURE ADJUSTED PROPERLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE SEASON. ALL THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. I SAVED THE OTHER 3 TIRES SO WHEN YOU INVESTIGATE YOU CAN TELL IF MY TIRES WERE UNDERINFLATED OR NOT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VN11B1A428 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
NHTSA complaint #753214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
TIRES:SIDEWALL
GOODYEAR, EAGLE GT ARE ORIGINAL TIRES ON 1999, GMC SAVANNA, P235/75R15, DOTMKM2E3HRO89. WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT. SIDEWALLS CAME OFF TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #896447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT GO OFF AND THE VAN HAD A VERY HARD BRAKE PEDAL LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER BOOST, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS AN EQUALIZER, HOWEVER WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEN THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE SWITCH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THAT WAS BAD OR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HARD BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL FOR GMC'S, CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING HE EXPERIENCED HARD BRAKING AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO ABS CONTROL EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE IT, CONSUMER BELIVES HE ONLY HAS FRONT WHEEL BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #562198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scarsdale, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING. STALLS AT 55MPH, 20 MPH, WHILE IDLING IN PARK, OR WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE. DEALER SERVICE DEPT. UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #750780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.