1998 GMC Safari problems
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 GMC Safari. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 14% of complaints. After that come wipers, windshield & visibility (10%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 111 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 9 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 22 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 | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 22 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 9 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the GMC Safari with enough data (76 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 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.
Was crossing a 4- lane highway when another vehicle broadsided safari. Upon impact, neither air bags deployed. Driver suffered spinal injury and was hospitalized. Police report included.
While driving 20-25MPH and going straight vehicle made a popping noise, and steering failed. Vehicle was forced to go into a ditch due to steering wheel not being able to turn. There was one injury. Dealer was notified, and replaced steering gear box.
Consumer pulled up in driveway waiting for rain storm to calm down. Vehicle was off and key was out of ignition. Smoke started coming out of power window controls on driver's side. Consumer got children out. Took plyers and disconnected battery. Vehicle was still driveable. Manager in service department said ground wire touched control wires.
The consumers vehicle was parked when he noticed there was a leak between the fuel line and fuel tank. *scc
1998 GMC safari has died five times and each time there was a loss of brakes and power steering ability. Stalled while driving (no start), check fuel system. Perform fuel induction and throttle body clean. R&r old belt, tensioner came apart, replace tensioner and belt to repair.