1997 GMC Safari problems
Owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 GMC Safari. Wipers, windshield & visibility is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. After that come transmission (10%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 200 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 10 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 14 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 27 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 27 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 78,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 14 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the GMC Safari with enough data (136 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Cosco model #22260hou, dom 03-11-04. While driving 30 MPH, the consumer's vehicle collided with another vehicle. The child booster seat buckle broke. The child sustained major injuries and was transported to the hospital.
The brake reservoir had a hole in it causing the consumer to rear end another vehicle, violent deployment of the drivers side air bag broke drivers hand. Nlm
A/c/heating: rear heat went out and had to be rewired engine: the water pump went out and had to replace it, that was covered by warranty. But still has a front oil leak some where in the front. Other: I heard a grinding noise while going down the road I took it in to the dealer I bought it from and they looked it over and said nothing was wrong.
Windshield wiper module failure, approximately in early 2006 on 1000k trip. Parts purchased module n12463 part number 12463090 from dealer in edmonton at cost of $64.87 including gst.. Returned home 1000k as dealer too busy too fix, and paid $36.00 labor to have installed. Total cost for module and labor: $100.87. My request is for GM to pay this $100.87 as this should have been covered under a recall notice at any time in the life of these vehicles.