2001 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 2001 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
- Brakes1734.0%
- Electrical714.0%
- Interior & seats612.0%
- Steering48.0%
- Engine36.0%
- Visibility36.0%
- Body & structure24.0%
- Driver assistance24.0%
- Exterior lighting24.0%
- Fuel system12.0%
- Airbags12.0%
- Seat belts12.0%
- Tires & wheels12.0%
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
AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. THE SIERRA VAN USES THE SAME COMPONENTS AS THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED BY 05V379000 ON 8/3/05. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WITH DIRTY SPEED SENSORS. *KB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT AT A SPEED OF LOWER THAN 8 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNAL TO INDICATE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED YET BY THE CONTACT.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. TIME IN BETWEEN ERRANDS 2 HOURS. OUTSIDE TEMP 95. HAD TO WAIT 15 - 30 MINUTES IN HOT VEHICLE TRYING TO START VEHICLE EVERY 20-30 SECONDS. PROBLEM WITH PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM AS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. CHECKED WITH PERSONAL OBD II & CAN SCAN TOOL AND FOUND NO DTC'S. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE CONSTANT AND OCCUPANT SAFETY IS A MAJOR CONCERN. *TR
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. BRAKE & ABS INDICATOR LIT. WAIT 15- 30 MINUTES AND VEHICLE MAY RESTART. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTED: PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM INTERMITTENT FAILURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES PART WAY DOWN, WILL NOT GO OUT - INTERMITTENT PROBLEM INCREASED TO PERMANENT PROBLEM. NOW GOES DOWN MAYBE 1/2 INCH, ONLY GOES UP 1/32 INCH AT A TIME. HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, NEEDS REPAIR AGAIN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 6/03, NOT LONG AFTER THAT, PROBLEM SURFACED IN INCREASING REGULARITY. WHEN I HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED BY DEALER IN 1/04, I WAS TOLD THIS HAD BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. ITEMS REPAIRED / REPLACED, WERE: 1314WSC95 - ELECTRICAL MISC. PO45391 - MOTOR PO45386 - ACTUATOR SEVERAL RIVETS. THE REPAIR FACILITY DESCRIBED THE WINDOW PROBLEM AS "BINDING", AND A ALSO FOUND THAT THE DOOR LOCK WAS NOT ACTIVATING PROPERLY DUE TO A DOOR LOCK MECHANISM PROBLEM (THE ACTUATOR) AS HAVING AN "INTERNAL SHORT". THE REPAIR OF 1/04 WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT 14 MONTHS (DEALER REFUSED TO WARRANT WORK), WHEN IN 3/05, THE PROBLEM HAD GRADUALLY RETURNED. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, HE SAID IT WAS NOT. I RECENTLY DECIDED TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AS I AM ABOUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN, AND SEE THAT THE PASSENGER WINDOWS ON GMC VANS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I BELIEVE THE MALFUNCTIONING WINDOW IS A HAZARD, AS IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER WHEN DISTRACTED BY A MALFUNCTIONING WINDOW, WHICH IS USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS FROM WEATHER, SMOKE, DUST AND DIRT, WIND AND EVEN POTENTIAL CRIMINALS. MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN AWAY FROM THE NORMAL HAZARDS OF URBAN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING BY THE DISTRACTION OF A MALFUNCTIONING WINDOW. WHY HAS THIS BEEN ALLOWED TO BE A PROLIFIC PROBLEM FOR SO LONG? I WONDER JUST HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON THIS ISSUE? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO ACTUALLY DIE BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION? *NM
WAS DRIVING, AT NIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE PROBLEM WOULD BE INTERMITTENTLY. WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. *AK
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
POWER STEERING FAILED, DRIVE SHAFT IN PUMP BROKE, CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL. NO ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE AND REPAIRED WITH NEW POWER STEERING PUMP INSTALLED. *JB
POWER STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING .NO ACCIDENT,VEHICLE WAS STARTING OUT FROM PARKED POSITION, WHEN POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED,WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HAVING TO BE TOWED AND REPAIR BILL OF $ 571 DOLLARS. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN OUT IN TRAFFIC MOVING, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD ACCIDENT. THIS WAS WITHOUT ANY KNOWN PREVIOUS INDICATION OR WARNING. NO LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNAL OF ANY TYPE. *JB
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, BACKFIRES, AND FAILS TO START WHEN COLD. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 03-06-04-041 WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF WHEN THE VEHICLE DID START, IT WOULD RUN ROUGH AND THEN STALL. UPDATED
EVERY WINTER WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME FROZEN AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEW. ALSO THE ENGINE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. *AK. ALSO THE DASH LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES PART WAY DOWN, WILL NOT GO OUT - INTERMITTENT PROBLEM INCREASED TO PERMANENT PROBLEM. NOW GOES DOWN MAYBE 1/2 INCH, ONLY GOES UP 1/32 INCH AT A TIME. HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, NEEDS REPAIR AGAIN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 6/03, NOT LONG AFTER THAT, PROBLEM SURFACED IN INCREASING REGULARITY. WHEN I HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED BY DEALER IN 1/04, I WAS TOLD THIS HAD BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. ITEMS REPAIRED / REPLACED, WERE: 1314WSC95 - ELECTRICAL MISC. PO45391 - MOTOR PO45386 - ACTUATOR SEVERAL RIVETS. THE REPAIR FACILITY DESCRIBED THE WINDOW PROBLEM AS "BINDING", AND A ALSO FOUND THAT THE DOOR LOCK WAS NOT ACTIVATING PROPERLY DUE TO A DOOR LOCK MECHANISM PROBLEM (THE ACTUATOR) AS HAVING AN "INTERNAL SHORT". THE REPAIR OF 1/04 WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT 14 MONTHS (DEALER REFUSED TO WARRANT WORK), WHEN IN 3/05, THE PROBLEM HAD GRADUALLY RETURNED. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, HE SAID IT WAS NOT. I RECENTLY DECIDED TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AS I AM ABOUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN, AND SEE THAT THE PASSENGER WINDOWS ON GMC VANS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I BELIEVE THE MALFUNCTIONING WINDOW IS A HAZARD, AS IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER WHEN DISTRACTED BY A MALFUNCTIONING WINDOW, WHICH IS USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS FROM WEATHER, SMOKE, DUST AND DIRT, WIND AND EVEN POTENTIAL CRIMINALS. MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN AWAY FROM THE NORMAL HAZARDS OF URBAN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING BY THE DISTRACTION OF A MALFUNCTIONING WINDOW. WHY HAS THIS BEEN ALLOWED TO BE A PROLIFIC PROBLEM FOR SO LONG? I WONDER JUST HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON THIS ISSUE? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO ACTUALLY DIE BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION? *NM
EVERY WINTER WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME FROZEN AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEW. ALSO THE ENGINE STALLED AT ANY SPEED. *AK. ALSO THE DASH LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
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
BRAKES FAULTY. BRAND NEW PADS INSTALLED LAST WEEK ALL AROUND ADJUSTED AND DEALER CLAIMS ALL IS WELL BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT TAKES AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF FORCE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL TO STOP THIS VEHICLE, NOTICED AT 35K. DANGEROUS AND NOT EASY TO GET USED TO. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD LEAKS ON THE TOP DRIVERS SIDE AND THE REAR RIGHT DOOR HANDLE IS FAILING ON BACK DUTCH DOORS NOW AT 65K. ALSO, BOTH POWER DOOR ACTUATORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED COMPLETELY AT 34K. *JB
BUMPER FRACTURED LIKE GLASS WHEN BUMPED BY A VW LEAVING SHARP EDGES AND MATERIAL DANGEROUS TO PASSERSBY. THE TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE MID TWENTIES AND CLEARLY WITHIN THE DESIGN PARAMETERS OF THE COMPONENT. GM REPRESENTATIVES HOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT WHEN THE BUMPER NOT ONLY FAILED TO PERFORM IN A MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE WAY BUT IN FACT RENDERED THE VEHICLE A HAZARD TO PEDESTRIANS. DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 BRAKING, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE.*JB....ALSO WILL NOT DISENGAGE WHEN SWITCHED OFF. ENGINE REVS UP TO 3,000 RPMS. *AK
THE ENGINES REVS UP WHEN VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. ONE TIME, WHEN DRIVING TO MAILBOX TO RETRIEVE MAIL, CAUSED MY ARM TO HIT WINDOW FRAME AND BRUISE. FOUR DAYS AGO I WAS BEHIND A CAR AT STOP LIGHT. JUMPED 3 TO 5 FEET. COULD HAVE EASILY HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AND TO PRESS HARD ON BRAKE WHEN STOPPED! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I BELIEVE I WAS APPLYING ENOUGH PRESSURE AND THE ENGINE SHOULDN'T BEHAVE AS THOUGH I HAVE SUDDENLY GASSED IT. I AM AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE! DON'T FEEL SAFE. ALSO CHOKES WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO FREEWAY. TRIED TO TRADE IN IN NOV. DEC. BUT WANTED ME TO PAY ADDTIONAL $3,000. PLEASE HELP. THANKSTRIED TO. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN, DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FLASHER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHENEVER I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ARE ON, THE FUSE BLOWS. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSE REPEATEDLY AFTER SUCH OCCASIONS, BUT FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL PUMP ON MY GMC 2001 SAFARI VAN MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE. I AM LOOKING INTO WHY THIS WOULD OCCUR ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED OTHER GMC'S AND NOT HEARD OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. I FEEL THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND AM LOOKING TO HAVE IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHOUT CHARGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*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
CONSUMER STATES: WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 55MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO WAS A FAILURE ON THE ABS BRAKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD. TS
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
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN, DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FLASHER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *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
DT: 2001 GM SAFARI. THE CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND VEHICLE COULD SLIDE INTO THE INTERSECTION. WIFE WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CONSUMER WENT TO DIFFERENT DEALERS, THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT MAY BE THAT THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPACKED. . THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TOOK TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THE VEHICLE HAD 58,000 MILES. BRAKE FAILURE STARTED WITHIN MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. BRAKES BECAME WORSE. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT KEEP FRONT TIRES FROM WEARING OUT.*AK
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 .