RoadVitals

2001 GMC Safari Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
39
Latest Aug 1, 2014
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
3

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.

17
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10419790 · filed Aug 17, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID 10163305 · filed Jul 24, 2006
All 17 reports naming brakes

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10618144 · filed Aug 1, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10618133 · filed Aug 1, 2014

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10163169 · filed Jul 22, 2006

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

NHTSA ID 10103254 · filed Dec 7, 2004

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.

4
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10118316 · filed Apr 23, 2005

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

NHTSA ID 10106456 · filed Jan 17, 2005

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10215966 · filed Jan 25, 2008

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

NHTSA ID 10039772 · filed Oct 1, 2003

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10163169 · filed Jul 22, 2006

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

NHTSA ID 10039772 · filed Oct 1, 2003

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10023658 · filed Jun 24, 2003

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

NHTSA ID 770683 · filed Dec 10, 2002

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10096788 · filed Oct 14, 2004

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

NHTSA ID 759488 · filed Mar 18, 2002

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10115428 · filed Mar 18, 2005

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

NHTSA ID 10114249 · filed Mar 17, 2005

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10118417 · filed Apr 25, 2005

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 8021292 · filed Oct 21, 2002

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10115428 · filed Mar 18, 2005

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10137882 · filed Sep 27, 2005

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

Data on this page last refreshed .