RoadVitals

1986 GMC Safari

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Oct 23, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 GMC Safari, most frequently naming the interior & seats, brakes and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Interior & seats330.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Exterior lighting110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V187000

SEATS

Nov 16, 1993
604,207 units potentially affected
The defect: THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
The risk: IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92022ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE

Opened Jun 24, 1992
Closed Nov 19, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEATSLed to recall 93V187000
PE90039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

Opened Feb 5, 1990
Closed Jun 29, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
PE89106ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE

Opened Mar 23, 1989
Closed Sep 19, 1989

===

SUSPENSION
EA87009ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR BRAKES

Opened Jan 21, 1987
Closed Aug 16, 1988

ANALYSIS: THE PROPOSED GM CHANGES SHOULD REDUCE THE FRONT-BIAS IN THEREAR BRAKE SYSTEM.HOWEVER THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT GM WILL RETROFITTHE 1985 AND 1986 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEMMAY NOT LIE IN THE BRAKE BIASING SYSTEM, BUT RATHER IN MALFUNCTIONINGOR IMPROPERLY DESIGNED REAR BRAKE ADJUSTERS.STATUS: ANALYZING RESPONSE FROM GM DATED 5/12/87.AWAITING REPLY FROM NHTSA'S LEGAL STAFF CONCERNING GM'S RESPONSE.TOLD TO SIT ON IT A WHILE BY MR. PARKER AT 8/20/87 BRIEFING.AFTER LEGAL'S REPLY, THE DATA WILL BE UPDATED AND AN ACTIONDECISION WILL BE FORWARDED FOR SUPERVISOR'S REVIEW.===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureBrakes
Filed Oct 23, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINNING RUPTURED. *JG

NHTSA ID
567981
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 1998

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IS LOSING PRESSURE, AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. ALSO, THERE IS BLACK THICK SMOKE COMING TAIL PIPE. *AK

NHTSA ID
829018
Incident
Oct 10, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed May 29, 1996

DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHEN THE DRIVER SAT IN THE SEAT. *AK

NHTSA ID
984984
Incident
May 26, 1996
Interior & seatsExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Apr 25, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

HEADLIGHT SWTICH FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD

NHTSA ID
488921
Incident
Jan 24, 1994
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 25, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE REAR, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS, DRIVER WAS FELL TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ID
981181
Incident
Feb 20, 1995
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 15, 1995

IRREGULAR WEAR OF B F GOODRICH TIRE TREADS, CONTRIBUTING TO BRAKING/STEERING PROBLEMS. *SD

NHTSA ID
483065
Incident
Mar 1, 1993
Steering
Filed May 16, 1995

ERRATIC OPERATION OF STEERING WHEEL. RESULTING IN POOR STABILITY. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAIL. TT

NHTSA ID
965393
Incident
May 3, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01667

VISIBILITY

WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR DOES NOT FIT. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Safari by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005420—
2004520—
2003183048.6
2002253158.0
2001393154.3
2000682052.2
1999613050.8
1998895053.0
19971356157.3
19961396155.9
19951956261.9
19941192156.5
1993612052.5
1992593052.1
1991394465.3
1990354456.8
1989184159.1
1988736—
1987112656.6
1986Viewing725—
1985135—
1984001—
1983001—
1982001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.