2002 GMC Safari Owner Complaints

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

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

NHTSA ID

10546772

Incident

Apr 2, 2013

Mileage

92,000 mi

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

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

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

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

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

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

I WAS VERY NEARLY BROADSIDED WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A SECONDARY ROAD WITH A STATE HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY BRAKE WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT IT IS LIMITED TO SELECTED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. I LIVE IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK IN UPSTATE NY WHERE TOWNS USE DIRT ONLY ON ITS ROADS. I CAN'T IMAGINE A WORST SITUATION FOR THIS CONDITION TO OCCUR THAN THE COMBINATION OF SALT AND DIRT (LIKE DC I SUPPOSE). HOW MANY CRASHES OR FATALITIES ARE REQUIRED IN EACH STATE ON KNOWN PROBLEMS BEFORE RECALLS ARE EXPANDED? *JB

NHTSA ID

10147236

Incident

Dec 29, 2005

Mileage

43,500 mi

2002 GMC SAFARI BRAKES WOULD NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT EACH TIME THEY CLAIMED THAT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF THE RECALL ON SOME GMC VEHICLE'S BUT SOON FOUND OUT THE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. * NM

NHTSA ID

10145325

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE ABS ACTIVATED, AND VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKING CAPABILITY ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS MORE BRAKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE SERVICE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY STATED THE RIGHT HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TAKE OUT THE FUSE TO THE ABS AND THIS WOULD DISABLE THE ABS BRAKES. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF VEHICLE REGARDING THE ABS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10138345

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

58,000 mi

ENGINE FIRE. STARTED BY A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10106366

Incident

Jan 10, 2005

Mileage

36,000 mi

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BOUNCES UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SWITCH TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULAR HAD SHORTENED OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *TC

NHTSA ID

10089319

Incident

Aug 19, 2004

Mileage

23,544 mi

THE RIGHT FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE ON THE VEHICLE, PER THE MANUFACTURE. YOU CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE AS WELL AS HEAR IT. THE MANUFACTURE WILL TRY TO PLACE MORE INSTALLATION ON, HOWEVER THEY STATED THE DEFECT IS NOT REVERSIBLE.

NHTSA ID

10092143

Incident

Jul 10, 2002

Mileage

200 mi

THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR DOESN'T OPERATE IN HIGH HUMIDITY UNLESS I UNPLUG AND REPLUG THE CONNECTION AT THE MOTOR UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS AN 02 GMC SAFARI CARGO VAN WITH 48K MI. *JB

NHTSA ID

10078860

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

Mileage

45,000 mi

BRAKES SOFT AND NOSIE AT TIMES. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BRAKES JUMP WHEN STOPPING AT TIMES. BATTERY GOES DEAD. JUMPED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. GM TOLD ME TO REPLACE BATTERY. I DID AT WALMART FOR $50. INSTEAD AT AUTOWAY FOR $150. OVERHEAD INFORMATION (COMPASS, MILE PER GALLON ETC REPAIRED ABOUT SIX TIMES(BUT ON WARRANTY FROM AUTOWAY AND GM. HARD STARTING, FRONT DOORS JAM, RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FOG UP, TOLD TO TURN VENT BY AUTOWAY AND GM. VENT DOESN'T TURN. KEY LESS ENTRY DOESN'T WORK SOMETIMES. WAS TOLD BY AUTOWAY & GM THAT I AM THE PROBLEM BECAUSED I AM DISABLED AND SHOULD NOT DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

10069724

Incident

Nov 15, 2002

Mileage

200 mi

WHILE DRIVING DURING FOGGY CONDITIONS AT 20 TO 25 MPH, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER BROKE HER BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH

NHTSA ID

10047796

Incident

Nov 1, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE SHUDDERED, THE ABS KICKED IN, AND A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10042443

Incident

Sep 12, 2003

Mileage

20,000 mi

THE VEHICLES FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVERS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. M PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM.

NHTSA ID

10040587

Incident

Jun 15, 2003

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY POPPED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN, BUT WILL NOT COME BACK UP WITH OUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THEM UP BY HAND. DOME LIGHT POPPED ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AT LEAST SIX TIMES SINCE ELEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID

10034112

Incident

Jul 22, 2003

Mileage

2,000 mi

VEHICLE HAD BRAKE FAILURE WHILE GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT DIDN'T HOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER FELT GM SHOULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *JB

NHTSA ID

10026642

Incident

Jul 30, 2003

Mileage

19,231 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT WITH OUT WARNING AT NIGHT. THE OVERHEAD INFORMATION PANEL HAS NOT WORKED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. MR THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED DUE TO ELECTRICAL LOCK FAILURE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FOGS UP AND CANNOT SEE MIRROR. KEY LESS SECURITY FAILED. *YH *JB *DT

NHTSA ID

8021104

Incident

Jul 5, 2002

WHILE DRIVINGF 60-65 MPH POWER ASSIST PUMP FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

8017596

Incident

Aug 26, 2002

WHILE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE IT ACCELERATED FORWARD UNTIL APPLIED BRAKES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND MECHANIC STATED THE RPMS HAVE BEEN LOWERED THAT WAS WHY VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014496

FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSTABLE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. CONSUMER CANNOT CONTROL VEHICLE AT TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK.*AK

NHTSA ID

8009648

Incident

May 22, 2001