RoadVitals

2002 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.
25
Latest Nov 15, 2017
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.
3
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.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 GMC Safari, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 350 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

  • Brakes1338.2%
  • Electrical411.8%
  • Suspension411.8%
  • Visibility38.8%
  • Airbags25.9%
  • Steering25.9%
  • Interior & seats12.9%
  • Other / unspecified12.9%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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

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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Mar 14, 2005
77,055 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE.
The risk: THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE CONTACTS AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION OF THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE REPAIR WOULD BE USED IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IS STILL MOVABLE. IF A VEHICLE HAS A HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON THAT IS NOT MOVABLE (FROZEN), THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05013View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE04072ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION

Opened Oct 19, 2004
Closed Mar 21, 2005

IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSLed to recall 05V099000

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Nov 15, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOWER BACK PAIN, A BRUISED TOE, A FOREHEAD GASH, AND DAMAGE TO THE RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TT UPDATED 8/21/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11046293
Incident
Oct 31, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2013

FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AND FAILED, NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546772
Incident
Apr 2, 2013
Mileage
92,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 8, 2009

MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS O.K. AND THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY CHARGED. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH AND A BRAKE LINING WAS LEAKING. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH LININGS AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND FILL WITH FRESH FLUID. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE PARTS CAME AND THE TECH WAS TO INSTALL THE LININGS THAT THE FLUID WAS SMOKING AND THE TECH ALMOST BURNED HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THREE HOURS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE SERVICE REP COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT GM TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE POSITIVE CABLE FOR GROUNDING. THEY FOUND IT WAS GROUNDING ON THE CENTER LINK OF THE STEERING. THE WORK ORDER SAID THEY RE-ROUTED THE CABLE. I WAS TOLD BY A GM REP IN ARGENTINA THAT GM FELT THAT AFTER THE TIME AND MILEAGE THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I TOLD HIM THAT IF THE CABLE HAD BEEN PROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED REGARDLESS OF THE TIME AND/OR MILES. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE FLUID HAD NOT LEAKED OUT OR BOILED TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. I FEEL IT COST ME ALL MOST $700. AT THIS POINT THAT WAS DO TO THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE GM REP SAID I COULD GO TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU THAT HE COULD DO NOTHING. CAN YOU HELP OR TELL ME WHERE I CAN GO FOR HELP? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273158
Incident
May 16, 2009
Mileage
76,306 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 5 OR 6 MPH, IT TOOK 40-50 FEET BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS AND IDLER ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. GMC DENIED HIM REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE A AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,550 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,530. UPDATED 5/5/08 *CN UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10224784
Incident
Mar 11, 2008
Mileage
28,530 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR REQUIRED THEM TO DISMANTLE SOME OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS TO BETTER ACCESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REQUESTING INFORMATION ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V099000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10219097
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Mileage
28,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 11, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES SQUEAKED AND SHE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE PADS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 40,000 MILES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID
10190480
Incident
May 2, 2003
Mileage
22,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 25, 2006

HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 39,000 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 131,000 MILES. NOW IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YET TO BE DETERMINED AT 149,000 MILES. JUDGING FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT THAT IS COSTING THE CONSUMER A BUNDLE OF MONEY. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT OVER $3000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM NOW WAITING TO HEAR HOW MUCH MORE I WILL HAVE TO SPEND. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10153709
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Mileage
39,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jan 24, 2006

WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, BUT COULD BE ABS SENSORS RUSTED OR HAD DIRT BUILD UP. THE DEALER CLEANED ABS SENSORS AND SPRAYED A RUST INHIBITOR ON SENSORS AND HUBS , AND SAID THEY HOPED THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF PROBLEM PERSISTS TO COME BACK.*AK

NHTSA ID
10148491
Incident
Jan 9, 2006
Mileage
43,514 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

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
2002Viewing253158.0
2001393154.3
2000682052.2
1999613050.8
1998895053.0
19971356157.3
19961396155.9
19951956261.9
19941192156.5
1993612052.5
1992593052.1
1991394465.3
1990354456.8
1989184159.1
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.