Model year record

1997 GMC Safari

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 200 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V159000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,876
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-28
Owners notified
2003-06-19

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V123000

Seat belts: front: warning light/devices

Component
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
461,851
Reported to NHTSA
2001-04-10
Owners notified
2001-06-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V009000

Child seat

Component
Child seat
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,090
Reported to NHTSA
1999-01-20
Owners notified
1999-01-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.

Safety risk

THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V057000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
18,972
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-04-28

Defect description

THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1785,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer13
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline978,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip827,860 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor832,804 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly6
Unknown or other6122,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls6
Air bags: frontal5
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4
Fuel system, other4
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump460,544 mi
Vehicle speed control4107,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines3
Service brakes, hydraulic3122,000 mi
Steering3122,000 mi
Structure: body: door3
Suspension: front3
Air bags2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash232,804 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings237,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist260,544 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment2
Visibility2171,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor232,804 mi
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Child seat: harness/crotch buckle185,483 mi
Electrical system1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling1122,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline136,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system171,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system180,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, air: antilock160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column160,544 mi
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing127,860 mi
Suspension: rear1
Tires1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.