2001 GMC Safari problems
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 GMC Safari. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 29% of complaints. After that come electrical system (16%) and lighting (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 55 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 56 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 50,000 miles 33 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 | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 33 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 50,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 56 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the GMC Safari with enough data (45 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
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.
Consumer states: while driving at the speed of 55MPH was involved in a frontal collision neither air bag deployed. Also was a failure on the ABS brake. Dealer has been notified. If you have any additional information feel free to add. Ts
The engines revs up when vehicle jumps forward. One time, when driving to mailbox to retrieve mail, caused my arm to hit window frame and bruise. Four days ago I was behind a car at stop light. Jumped 3 to 5 feet. Could have easily hit vehicle in front of me. Brought to dealership for repair. Told me that it was a normal occurrence and to press hard on brake when stopped! This is ridiculous. I believe I was applying enough pressure and the engine shouldn't behave as though I have suddenly gassed it.
2001 GMC safari van caught fire burned to ground after started. White smoke came from dash immediately after started.
Open circuit condition that results in stop lamps and rear hazard lamps becoming inoperative. Center high mounted stop lamp and turn signal functions are not affected. The loss of stop lamps and rear hazard lamps could fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is braking and or is stopped and could result in a crash. This description was taken from NHTSA campaign id # 01v364000 and is the exact same problem I am having with my 2001 GMC safari van.
At times vehicle will not start until the steering column shift lever is moved. All power is up, turn key and no response. Depress brake pedal and move shift lever from p to d3 may cause starter to work. Told by aaa driver that this is a common problem.