1998 GMC Safari Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 GMC Safari, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1413.7%
- Visibility109.8%
- Interior & seats98.8%
- Transmission87.8%
- Driver assistance87.8%
- Electrical87.8%
- Fuel system76.9%
- Steering65.9%
- Engine65.9%
- Suspension65.9%
- Other / unspecified54.9%
- Airbags43.9%
- Body & structure32.9%
- Seat belts32.9%
- Tires & wheels22.0%
- Heating & air conditioning22.0%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES SO CORRODED THAT THEY ARE CRACKING AND SPLITTING LEAKING FLUID AND NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. CORROSION ALSO NOTED ON FUEL LINES, AND VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. *TR
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 25MPH, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. HOWEVER, THEY BEGAN OPERATING AGAIN FIVE TO TEN MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAINFALL IS FREQUENT IN HIS STATE. NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE PRESENT DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 143,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/06/08
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SAFARI. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 160,000. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A RAINY NIGHT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER SWERVING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING HIT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNTIL IT STOPPED RAINING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTOR STOPPED OPERATING BECAUSE THE SOLDER JOINT CRACKED. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN, AND IT MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE. DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING. THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER ONLY OPERATE THROUGH THE DEFROSTER. ALSO, UNLESS CONSUMER KEEPS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE BATTERY ALMOST DIES.*AK
I HAVE A 98 GMC SAFARI, I HAVE HAD THREE (3) REAR AC BLOWER CONTROL SWITCHES BURN UP IN IT SIX (6) YEARS. THE SWITCHES ARE MELTED FROM OVERHEATING. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OVER THIS ISSUE? THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE LAST ONE. *JB
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
1998 GMC SAFARI VAN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL 700, FAILURED AT 93,000 MILES DUE TO A 3RD GEAR SLIPPAGE. I FOUND IN MY RESEARCH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THIS WAS COMMON FOR GMC TRUCKS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION FOR THIS TO FAIL BETWEEN 90,000 AND 100,000 EVEN WITH SCHEDULED SERVICE. GMC AGREED TO REPLACE WITH A FACTORY REBUILD, WHICH THEY DID BUT AT MY COST OF $2,300.00, WITH A 36 MONTH/50,000 MILE WARRANTY. I COULD NOT FIND ANY TECH SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON YOUR WEB SITE, DO YOU HAVE ANYOTHER INFORMATION. GMC AND ITS DEALERSHIP IS ALREADY AWARE OF MY PRODUCT DISPLEASURE WHEN I EXPECT QUAILTY AND DURABILITY IT WAS NOT THERE. PLEASE RESPOND, THANK YOU.*AK
NUMEROUS FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE ( SOMETIMES THEY WORK SOMETIMES THEY DON'T, WHEN THEY DO FINALLY COME ON THEY WON'T TURN OFF). TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DISABLED THE VEHICLE ON 3 OCCASIONS. *JB VEHICLE SHOWING SAME SYMPTOMS OF 1997 WHICH WAS RECALLED
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK AND HARD PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER FOR THE PEDAL TO WORK. CAUTION WAS USED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED FORWARD BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. *AK *SCC *JB
THROTTLE CABLE FRAYED CAUSING EXTREME AND UNWARRANTED ACCELERATION FROM 65 MPH FWY SPEED TO 90 MPH AND THEN STUCK OPEN AT THIS POINT. BRAKING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DUE TO SPEED, HOWEVER MANAGED TO REDUCE SPEED TO POINT OF BEING ABLE TO PLACE GEAR IN NUETRAL POSITION AND STOP. AS A RESULT BRAKE PADS WERE RUINED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS ACCELERATOR CABLE.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN, AND IT MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE. DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING. THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER ONLY OPERATE THROUGH THE DEFROSTER. ALSO, UNLESS CONSUMER KEEPS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE BATTERY ALMOST DIES.*AK
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE UNLESS THE HIGH BEAMS WERE TURNED ON. *NLM *TS *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR VAN BROKE DOWN ON MY WIFE WHILE SHUTTLING 5 KIDS FROM SCHOOL. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PUMP GASOLINE THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS AND SHORT OUT THE COMPUTER. THE REPAIR BILL WAS ESTIMATED AT $3,000.00. THE INJECTORS, THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE COMPUTER ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED A LOCAL GMC DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE HAD 3 OR 4 OF THESE RECENTLY. I CONTACTED GMC SEVERAL TIMES AND ASKED THEM FOR INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. WHEN GASOLINE IS SHORTING OUT AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, I SEE A TREMENDOUS RISK OF FIRE. I ASKED GMC SEVERAL TIMES IF THERE WOULD BE POTENTIAL FOR RE-OCCURANCE IN MY VAN AND ALSO IF IT COULD HAPPEN IN OUR BLAZER OF THE SAME YEAR AND ENGINE. THEY HAVE IGNORED EVERY REQUEST. THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS THAT I NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY VEHICLE AT SOME POINT. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS PAST WARRANTY AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I ASKED THEM WHY THEY SENT ME TWO RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE EARLIER THIS YEAR IF IT IS PAST WARRANTY. THEY SAID BECAUSE THE TWO ISSUES WERE A KNOWN PROBLEM. A OUTSIDE MIRROR SWITCH AND AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT WARNING. I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH HAVING TO PAY UPKEEP ON MY VEHICLE. WHEN A PART FAILS IN SUCH AN UNSAFE MANNER AND RUINS A WIRING HARNESS AND A COMPUTER, I SEE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THEY SHOULD ADDRESS.*AK
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FUEL TANK. *AK *SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 20-25MPH AND GOING STRAIGHT VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE, AND STEERING FAILED. VEHICLE WAS FORCED TO GO INTO A DITCH DUE TO STEERING WHEEL NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX. *AK *YH
DRIVER COULD NOT AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLE DUE TO STEERING LOCKING UP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1998 GMC SAFARI HAS DIED FIVE TIMES AND EACH TIME THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER STEERING ABILITY.*MR STALLED WHILE DRIVING (NO START), CHECK FUEL SYSTEM. PERFORM FUEL INDUCTION AND THROTTLE BODY CLEAN. R&R OLD BELT, TENSIONER CAME APART, REPLACE TENSIONER AND BELT TO REPAIR. *BF
TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT DISENTEGRATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
IDLE LINKS HAD TO BE CHANGED AT 21,000 MILES. CONSUMER WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED, AND THAT WAS WHEN CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. *AK *NM
CAR ALWAYS PULLING TO RIGHT EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER. TIRES WORN TO STEEL AT LOW MILES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RIM PRESSED ON THE BEAD OF THE TIRE WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *JB
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITH 21,000 MILES ON VEHICLE DUE TO 5 BOLTS SHEARING OFF. MAINTAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TOOK DAMAGED PARTS TO MANUFACTURER & WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. HAS ALL REPORTS PERTAINING TO BOLTS. CALLED HOTLINE & LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT INPACT. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VAN HAS THE REAR DUTCH DOOR CONFIGURATION (3 SECTIONS). THE ELECTRONIC REAR HATCH LOCK FAILS AND LOCKS ALL THE DOORS WITHOUT WARNING. THE REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE AND THE HARD WIRED LOCKING SWITCHES IN THE DOORS ARE INACTIVATED. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS WITH A KEY. THIS IS MY SECOND OCCURRENCE.
REAR SIDE DOOR MOUNT NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BUCKLE. TS
CONVERSION VAN, SHOULDER SEATBELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR STAY IN PLACE, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNIROYAL TIRES SIZE P21575R15 CAME AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON A GMC, SAFARI, 1998. WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING DAMAGES TO FRONT END. GMC AND UNIROYAL WERE CONTACTED.*AK UNIROYAL TIGER PAW P215/75R15, DOT APHFJLIU048. *SLC
THESE ARE REPLACEMENT TIRES AND DO NOT HAVE THE TRACTION OF THE ORIGINALS. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THEY ARE SAFE FOR MY VEHICLE? THE RETAILER SAYS THEY ARE. (TIRESIZE: P215/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/75R15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRES IN REAR AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH COMPLETELY MELTED. ELECTRICAL POWER BUTTONS INSIDE OF VEHICLE WERE HOT TO TOUCH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER COULD BRING VEHICLE IN FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT . WARRANTY EXPIRED ON VEHICLE.*AK
A/C FAILED. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE DAY OR NIGHT. THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO HEAR, AND THE BLINKER STAYED ON. *AK *SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .