1997 GMC Safari Owner Complaints

THIS VAN BELONGS TO MY MOTHER. MY SISTER WAS DRIVING THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE IS 60 YRS OF AGE AND A VERY GOOD DRIVER. HER DESCRIPTION: "JUST PULLING AWAY FROM ONE LIGHT & COMING UP TO ANOTHER. WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 20 MPH. STEP ON THE BRAKES & THEY WEREN'T THERE." THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ABOUT $500 IN DAMAGE TO THE HONDA AUTO THAT WAS STRUCK, AND SIMILAR LIGHT DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE SAFARI. I INSPECTED SYSTEM AND FOUND NO LEAKS, AND CONCLUDED THAT MASTER CYLINDER MAY BE FAILING, SO I REPLACED IT. AFTER THAT REPAIR, HAD EXCELLENT PEDAL. I BORROWED THE VAN A FEW DAYS LATER, AND WHILE DRIVING IT, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME NO BRAKE CONDITION 3 TIMES, ONCE WHICH LEFT THE FRONT END OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION (LUCKILY, NO COLLISION). I RECOGNIZED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ERRONEOUSLY KEEPING THE FRONT BRAKES FROM APPLYING, AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE NO BRAKE CONDITION. A GM MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO PULL THE ABS FUSE. I DID SO, AND NOW THE VAN HAS GREAT BRAKES, EVERY TIME. I HAVE DONE THE SAME TO ANOTHER FAMILY VEHICLE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH THIS DANGEROUS SYSTEM; I'M NOT WAITING UNTIL IT CAUSES ANOTHER ACCIDENT. THIS CONDITION SCREAMS FOR YOUR ATTENTION. NO ONE WAS HURT BY THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE INCIDENT (EXCEPT FINANCIALLY), BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP GLIDING INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION, OR OVER A CROSSWALK, AND DOES CAUSE A DEATH OR TWO. PLEASE HAVE ALL THESE DANGEROUS ABS VEHICLES RECALLED, AND HAVE THESE SAFETY FEATURES-TURNED-SAFETY HAZARDS DEFEATED, BEFORE SOMEONE DOES BECOME A VICTIM.

NHTSA ID

10629776

Incident

Jun 26, 2014

Mileage

70,000 mi

1997 GMC SAFARI BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY NO REAR NO FRONT SUSPECT IT WAS THE ANTI LOCK CONTROL UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT . NO LEAKS VISIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10417131

Incident

Aug 2, 2011

Mileage

185,000 mi

WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILURE, APPROXIMATELY IN EARLY 2006 ON 1000K TRIP. PARTS PURCHASED MODULE N12463 PART NUMBER 12463090 FROM DEALER IN EDMONTON AT COST OF $64.87 INCLUDING GST.. RETURNED HOME 1000K AS DEALER TOO BUSY TOO FIX, AND PAID $36.00 LABOR TO HAVE INSTALLED. TOTAL COST FOR MODULE AND LABOR: $100.87. MY REQUEST IS FOR GM TO PAY THIS $100.87 AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AT ANY TIME IN THE LIFE OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10227944

Incident

Jul 28, 2006

Mileage

171,000 mi

FUEL LEAK IN SAFARI SUPPLIED FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE GENERATOR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10167944

Incident

Aug 6, 2006

Mileage

37,000 mi

1997 GMC SAFARI VAN VEHICLE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER HAD TO TIE THE DOORS WITH A ROPE TO KEEP THEM CLOSED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10163712

Incident

Jul 8, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED . HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD REPAIR WORK DONE IN MAY 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2005 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REFUND THE MONEY FOR SERVICE TOWARD A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS REPAIR HAS NOT CURRENTLY BEEN MADE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10141457

Incident

May 20, 2005

1997 GMC SAFARI TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUN GEAR SHELL FAILURE CAUSED NO REVERSE, SECOND OR OVERDRIVE ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10133998

Incident

Aug 21, 2005

Mileage

112,135 mi

DT: DEALER TOLD THE CALLER THE THROTTLE STUCK WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. CALLER HAS NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE TO HAVE THIS PART MAINTAINED. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. CALLER FELT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. CALLER HAD NO IDEA THAT PART WAS A MAINTENANCE ITEM. CALLER WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HE HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES HARD, AND TURN IT OFF TO GET IT TO STOP.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

10127006

Incident

Jun 28, 2005

Mileage

107,000 mi

AT 90000 MILES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 97 GMC SAFARI SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. 10 MINUTES LATER THEY MIGHT WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING REGULARLY. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAYS OF LOS ANGELES AS A RESULT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE WEB FORUM IT WAS FAULTY LEADS DUE TO WIRE HARNESS STRESS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW AVOID THE FREEWAYS IN THE RAIN.

NHTSA ID

10129852

Incident

Sep 1, 2004

BRAKES FAIL AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH

NHTSA ID

10120029

Incident

Jan 1, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID

10113603

Incident

Mar 1, 2000

Mileage

36,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETRERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10115908

Incident

Mar 25, 2005

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND UNDERNEATH HOOD FROM THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHE THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10089678

Incident

Aug 24, 2004

COSCO MODEL #22260HOU, DOM 03-11-04. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CHILD BOOSTER SEAT BUCKLE BROKE. THE CHILD SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10079751

Incident

Jun 20, 2004

Mileage

85,483 mi

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES THREE OR MORE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEN DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10073993

Incident

May 20, 2004

SEPTEMBER 1, 1999: AC PROBLEM (NOT COOLING) REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOVEMBER 3, 1999: LEFT DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (NOT PASSENGER SIDE AS DOCUMENTED ON THE INVOICE). JANUARY 31, 2003: I WROTE TO GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL, DETAILING SOME PROBLEMS THAT HAD DEVELOPED WITH MY VAN. I COMPLAINED THAT THE DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I MENTIONED WAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ERRATICALLY. MY LOW SETTING ON THE AC FAN WAS INOPERABLE, AND EVENTUALLY ALL 3 LEVELS STOPPED. I HAD BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR OVER A YEAR, BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOM, WORK FULL TIME AND COULDNT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY TRANSPORTATION. THE REPLY I GOT WAS THAT MY VAN WAS TOO OLD, AND THINGS BREAK. THREE MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN THE MAIL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. MAY 8, 2003: I TOOK MY VAN INTO THE CLOSEST GMC DEALER TO HAVE MY DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR ($329.38) AND THE AC RESISTOR REPLACED ($103.24), AND PERFORM THE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR. JULY 22, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER TO REPAIR AC PROBLEM (AC BLOWS FROM DEFROSTER AND NOT FROM VENTS) THAT DEVELOPED MAY 10, 2003.($132.50) SEPTEMBER 24, 2003: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR SAME AC PROBLEM THAT RETURNED JULY 30, 2003. THAT VAN WAS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL DAY, AND WAS NEVER REPAIRED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR FOR WORK AND COULD NOT LEAVE IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THEM. I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VAN AGAIN UNTIL JUST RECENTLY, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL SUCH TIME I COULD AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE CAR FOR A DAY. APRIL 20, 2004: RETURNED TO GMC DEALER FOR AC PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THE HOSE WAS BROKEN IN A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN BEFORE. (169.24). DURING THE DRIVE HOME, THE AC PROBLEM RETURNED. APRIL 29, 2004: VAN WONT START DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND STILL SAME PROBLEM RETURNS. NOW I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE THAT IS KILLING MY BATTERY, AND I CANT FIND IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10072604

Incident

Jul 22, 2003

Mileage

32,804 mi

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE HAD WITH THE CHASSIS AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. (NAR) *PH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AC/ HEATER, GAS GAUGE, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, ELECTRIC WINDOW. *CB

NHTSA ID

10066973

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

SMELLED GASOLINE. CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FITTING WHERE THE SUPPLY LINE TRANSITIONS FORM A PLASTIC HOSE THAT ORIGINATES AT THE FUEL PUMP TO THE 3/8 INCH STEEL FUEL LINE. THIS LEAK WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE HOT EXHAUST MUFFLER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10064589

Incident

Apr 3, 2001

Mileage

114,000 mi

THE BAFFLE ON THE THROTTLE BODY CAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN WIDE OPEN. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10059917

Incident

Feb 22, 2004

Mileage

71,200 mi

STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT. DEALER STATED STEERING PUMP BROKE. AS A RESULT OF STEERING FAILURE THE POWER BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID

10055404

Incident

Aug 3, 2002

Mileage

60,544 mi

WHILE DRIVING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10059608

Incident

Feb 19, 2004

Mileage

149,000 mi

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10059141

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

A/C/HEATING: REAR HEAT WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REWIRED ENGINE: THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND HAD TO REPLACE IT, THAT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. BUT STILL HAS A FRONT OIL LEAK SOME WHERE IN THE FRONT. OTHER: I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT SO WE HAD A USED ONE PUT IN AND IT ONLY LASTED FOUR MONTHS NOW IT SITS IN THE GARAGE THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING TO DO ABOUT THE TRANSFER CASE THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER. BRAKES: BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ABS BRAKES SINCE WE BOUGHT IT TOOK IT IN TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ENDED UP DOING THE BRAKES AND FOUND THEY HAD CRACKED PADS CAUSING THE NOISE IN THE BRAKES. FOUND OUT THAT ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WHAT IT IS MADE OUT TO BE, I HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS 1997 GMC SAFARI ALL WHEEL DRIVE VAN.

NHTSA ID

10070433

Incident

Sep 15, 2003

Mileage

122,000 mi

THE THROTTLE BODY ON OUR 1997 GMC SAFARI CAME APART SENDING PIECES INTO THE ENGINE AND FAILING IN A WIDE OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION THAT WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE BY THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR ACCELERATED THROUGH 85 MILES PER HOUR WITHOUT ANY DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERTOR. THE DRIVER HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE TO KEEP SPEED SOMEWHAT UNDER CONTROL. THE ONLY MEANS TO CONTROL THE ENGINE WAS TO TURN IT OFF.

NHTSA ID

10039372

Incident

Sep 11, 2003

Mileage

78,000 mi

THE LEVER THAT MADE THE SEAT RECLINE BACKWARDS/FORWARD BROKE OFF ALTHOUGH EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NOT USED. THIS RESULTED IN THE SEATS RECLINING BACKWARDS BY THEMSELVES DRIVING. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ID

10031762