RoadVitals

1989 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.
18
Latest Aug 21, 2011
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.
4
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.
1
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 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 GMC Safari, most frequently naming the steering, seat belts and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Steering729.2%
  • Seat belts520.8%
  • Engine312.5%
  • Transmission28.3%
  • Body & structure28.3%
  • Interior & seats28.3%
  • Visibility14.2%
  • Electrical14.2%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
93V119000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Aug 2, 1993
341,364 units potentially affected
The defect: SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
EngineSteering
Filed Aug 21, 2011

THE BRACKETS ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVE BROKEN 3+ TIMES AND HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED, PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, BRACKETS, FLUID, AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST WEEK. 08/18/2011 *TR

NHTSA ID
10420867
Incident
Aug 18, 2011
Visibility
Filed May 10, 2004

RANDOM FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. VERY SPOOKY WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. WHEN QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM. BUT THEY KNEW JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY HAVE A FIX. *LA

NHTSA ID
10072366
Incident
May 9, 2004
Mileage
66,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 4, 2003

FRONT VAN CAPTAINS CHAIR FRAME AND TRACK, HAS HAD TO BE REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT LIFTS UP, DOES NOT STAY SECURED TO TRACK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10013978
Incident
Mar 15, 2003
Mileage
168,520 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 14, 2000

THE ALUMINUM OR SIMILAR MATERIAL BRACKET WHICH CONNECTS THE ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOOR GUIDES IS "RIPPED" --- NOT COMPLETELY BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE SEAT INSECURE AND DEFINITELY UNSAFE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ID
721472
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Steering
Filed May 22, 1999

WITHOUT WARNING THE TIE ROD RIPPED ITSELF OUT OF THE FRAME. IF THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. ONE BODY SHOP OWNER SAID THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ID
706774
Incident
May 8, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jan 24, 1999
Fire reported

ON GOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVEN WHEN I HAD A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN BY MILES CHEV, MILLINGTON,TN IN JULY 97 AT 146,737 MILES ,NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT ANY ENGINE FIRES...MOST MECHANICS SAID IT WAS A "MINOR" ELECTRIAL PROBLEM...THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IT NEEDED OIL, AND PERIODICALLY THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGANCY BRAKE HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED AND THE LEVER PULLED TO DOUBLE CHECK FOR RELEASE. NO OTHER WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FIRE...NO SMOKE OR ODORS THAT NIGHT, JUST DROVE HOME ABOUT 20 MILES IN THE RAIN, PARKED IN MY DRIVE AND ABOUT 3.5HRS LATER A MAN WALKING BY SAW IT BURNING AND HAD PEOPLE CALL 911. TUNE UP & OIL CHG. @187,314M,12/17/98. *AK

NHTSA ID
702531
Incident
Jan 18, 1999
EngineSeat belts
Filed Nov 17, 1998

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T ADJUST, IT'S LOOSE. IT DOES NOT HOLD. THIS DEFECT COMPLIES WITH RECALL 98V150000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK THE BOLT HOLDING THE ENGINE BRACKET BROKE OFF. *YH

NHTSA ID
830926
Incident
Feb 4, 1998
Seat beltsSteering
Filed Nov 1, 1998

REAR SEAT BELT FAILED UNDER HARD BRAKING. ALSO, POWER STEERING PUMP REAR BRACKET MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ID
781443
Incident
Oct 23, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT-3665-A

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

GENERAL MOTORS: ON ALL 1988-2009 FULL SIZE CHEVROLET/GMC PICKUPS, UTILITIES AND VANS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL MOVE DOWN OR SELF APPLY DURING FULL LOCK TURNS OR NEAR FULL LOCK TURNS. CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VANS; HUMMER 2 ARE INCLUDED. *PE UPDATED 5/24/11. *PE

01667

VISIBILITY

WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR DOES NOT FIT. *TT

990730016A

POWER TRAIN

DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT

467108

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION EXTENTION SEAL LEAKS. *TW

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
1989Viewing184159.1
1988736—
1987112656.6
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.