RoadVitals

1987 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.
11
Latest Apr 16, 2007
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.
6
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 GMC Safari, most frequently naming the engine, steering and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 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

  • Engine421.1%
  • Steering315.8%
  • Seat belts210.5%
  • Brakes210.5%
  • Body & structure210.5%
  • Suspension15.3%
  • Tires & wheels15.3%
  • Heating & air conditioning15.3%

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
EA90023ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER STEERING FAILURE

Opened Apr 16, 1990
Closed Apr 30, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
PE90039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

Opened Feb 5, 1990
Closed Jun 29, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
PE90028ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER STEERING FAILURE

Opened Dec 15, 1989
Closed Apr 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Body & structure
Filed Apr 16, 2007

CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLES ON A 1987 SAFARI VAN**CC *JB

NHTSA ID
10188974
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Seat belts
Filed Jun 5, 2003
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10022489
Incident
May 20, 2003
Mileage
1,912 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 23, 2000

CONSUMER WAS BACKING INTO GARAGE, PUT GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF BACKWARDS SECOND TIME WHILE WAITING FOR SOME PEOPLE TO CROSS. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKES AND TIRES WERE SPINNING. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO GET IT TO STOP.*AK

NHTSA ID
868475
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 1999

MANY OTHER OCCURANCES CAN'T FIND ANY USED PARTS ANYWHERE RECYCLERS SAY VERY POPULAR OCCURANCE

NHTSA ID
712491
Incident
Sep 29, 1999
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 1999

NO SUMMARY.

NHTSA ID
712483
Incident
Sep 29, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Aug 13, 1998

INTERMITTENTLY THE RESTRAINTS WILL NOT RETRACT. THE DRIVER HAS TO TIE A KNOT IN THE REAR REESTRAINT TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CSS . DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
826641
Body & structure
Filed Feb 24, 1998

PAINT IS PEELING OFF ROOF AND HOOD OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
531369
Steering
Filed Feb 24, 1998

BRACKET THAT HOLDS ALL MOVING COMPONENTS (AIR COMPRESSOR, AIR PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP) CRACKED.

NHTSA ID
531365

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—
1987Viewing112656.6
1986725—
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.