2002 GMC Safari problems
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Safari. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 34% of complaints. After that come suspension (11%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 35 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 34% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 29,000 miles 25 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 | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 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 25 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 29,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 29,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the GMC Safari with enough data (28 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.
While driving during foggy conditions at 20 to 25 MPH, consumer lost control of vehicle and hit a tree. The airbags failed to deploy. As a result, the driver broke her back. A police report was taken. Please describe further.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC safari. While driving 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by a 2006 dodge caravan. The contact's vehicle then crashed into a pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained lower back pain, a bruised toe, a forehead gash, and damage to the ribs. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified.
Vehicle had brake failure while going down an incline. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor but didn't hold. The vehicle was totaled. Consumer felt GM should replace the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 GMC safari. The contact stated that the vehicle's brakes squeaked and she had the brake pads replaced. The pads were replaced a second time at 40,000 miles. The brakes continue to squeak. The vehicle's purchase date and engine size were unknown. The current mileage is 68,000 and failure mileage was 22,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 GMC safari. The contact stated that the brake lights worked intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and they stated that the repair required them to dismantle some of the major components to better access the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified requesting information on NHTSA campaign id number 05v099000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch), but the VIN was not included in the recall.