Total Complaints
256 filings
GMC SAFARI · model year
256 NHTSA complaints, 48 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995GMCSAFARI carries 256 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 48 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 SAFARI is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 39 filings, followed by suspension:front:springs:torsion bar (28) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1995 SAFARI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
256 filings
Crashes Reported
48 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 39 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR | 28 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 23 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 13 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK | 5 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 5 |
| SEATS | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 3 |
WAS DRIVING TO WORK ABOUT 25MPH THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ACCELERATION WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE TO A PARKING LOT BUT ENDED UP HAVING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHICH I WAS IN FORMED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED BUT COULD SMELL GAS AND THE FUEL HAD COLLECTED IN THE OIL WHICH WAS CHANGED, AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME.TRIED STARTING IT RUNS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10 OR 15 SECONDS , HAD THE STARTER CHECKED WORKING GREAT SO ABOUT 2 MONTHS I JUST HAVE IT PARKED LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS.I HAD IT FOR ABOUT 9 YEARS WITH DAY TO DAY DRIVING TO WORK AND OCCASIONALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Mileage: 160,121
WAS DRIVING TO WORK ABOUT 25MPH THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ACCELERATION WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE TO A PARKING LOT BUT ENDED UP HAVING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHICH I WAS IN FORMED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED BUT COULD SMELL GAS AND THE FUEL HAD COLLECTED IN THE OIL WHICH WAS CHANGED, AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME.TRIED STARTING IT RUNS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10 OR 15 SECONDS , HAD THE STARTER CHECKED WORKING GREAT SO ABOUT 2 MONTHS I JUST HAVE IT PARKED LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS.I HAD IT FOR ABOUT 9 YEARS WITH DAY TO DAY DRIVING TO WORK AND OCCASIONALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Mileage: 160,121
1995 GMC SAFARI. CONSUMER STATES THE REAR SPRINGS ARE CARBON FIBER AND HAVE DELAMINATED. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT CAUSED AN UNSTABLE CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE'S BODY WAS NOT PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND COULD DROP ONTO THE FRAME AT ANY TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE BEHAVIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB
I HAVE A 95 GMC SAFARI THAT WAS EQUIPED WITH DEXCOOL COOLANT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE FREEZEOUT PLUGS, THAT HAVE BEEN EATEN AWAY BY THE COOLANT. THERE ARE SEVERAL LAW SUITS BUT NONE OF THEM INCLUDE SAFARI OR ASTRO VANS. ARE THERE ANY LAWSUITS THAT INCLUDE VANS. *TR
Mileage: 112,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC SAFARI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE FRONT TORSION BAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SNAPPED IN HALF. THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED GM AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Mileage: 144,000
CRASH IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT CORNER/BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER COMING FROM THE SIDE , THE DRIVER'S LEFT. DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Mileage: 93,000
SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING RESPONSE DUE TO FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT RESULTED IN SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND THEN OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY THAT DAY. ALTERNATOR BRACKET WAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING DAY. FAILED PART AT REPAIR FACILITY. *JB
Mileage: 166,230
SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING RESPONSE DUE TO FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT RESULTED IN SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND THEN OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY THAT DAY. ALTERNATOR BRACKET WAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING DAY. FAILED PART AT REPAIR FACILITY. *JB
Mileage: 166,230
1995 GMC SAFARI LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A FENCE. *JB
95 GMC SAFARI/95 CHEVY ASTRO I HAVE OWNED 3 OF THESE MODELS SINCE 1995 AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL 3 OF THEM. THE FUSIBLE LINK CONNECTION LOCATED BEHIND THE BATTERY WHERE POWER GOES INTO THE FUSE PANEL HAS ONE CONNECTION THAT OVERHEATS, MELTS THE PLASTIC MODULE AND CREATES A CIRCUIT PROBLEM. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING HAS OCCURRED, TOTALLY CRIPPLING THE VEHICLES. UPON SEARCHING SALVAGES FOR A REPLACEMENT CONNECTOR, I FOUND 4 OUT OF 5 HAD THE SAME OVERHEATED, MELTED PLASTIC, DANGEROUS CONNECTION. I HAVE THE CONNECTOR I REPLACED ON 1 OF THE VEHICLES AND CAN PROVIDE IT TO THE INVESTIGATION. THIS SITUATION COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FATAL ACCIDENT. TOTAL ELECTRICAL POWER MEANS ENGINE QUITS, LIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE INOPERABLE. THIS TRULY NEEDS FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF OWNERS/OPERATORS OF THESE VEHICLES. *NM
Mileage: 165,000
I BOUGHT A USED VAN FROM FLORIDA AUTO EXCHANGE ON APRIL 18,2005 AND WHEN WE TEST DROVE IT I STATED THAT THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT . NOTHING, I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AGAIN IN MAY AGAIN NOTHING ,WELL I WAS DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE TODAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THE TREAD CAME OFF MY FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE. I ALMOST WRECKED BUT I CONTROLLED THE VAN. NOW THE CAR DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THIS IS NOT THERE CONCERN THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE TIRES .I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP .NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THE VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE BACK TIRE IS BUBBLING AND I MUST REPLACE ALL THE TIRES .I ALSO NEED A RIM AND THERE IS BODY DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. PLUS THE DEALER IS CHARGING ME FOR TOWING BECAUSE THE SPARE THEY GAVE ME WITH THE VAN DIDNT FIT.....
Mileage: 156,600
THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1995 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT SAYS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE THEY HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. WHEN THEY WENT OUT TO THE GARAGE THEY NOTICED THAT THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THE MECHANIC NOTICED SEVERAL OF THE SAME VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THERE WERE 26 COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE LEFT BROKEN TORSION BAR AND THE RIGHT TORSION. *SC *JB
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES, AND THEN WAS PARKED FOR 3 STRAIGHT DAYS. ON THE 4TH DAY, OWNER DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE BLACK. VEHICLE HAD BURNED ON THE INSIDE. INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE, WHO STATED THAT FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *AK *BF
Mileage: 130,000
I PURCHASED A 1995 GMC SAFARI VAN AT C & O MOTORS IN CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA ON 05/23/1998 REG #1GDDM19W9SB53344. AFTER DRIVING IT HOME WE DISCOVERED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON SO WE CONTACTED C & O AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK. WE DID THEY WORKED ON IT AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. WE DROVE IT A SHORT TIME AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE CONTACTED C & O AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK AND WE DID AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG. THE LIGHT WAS OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN CAME ON AGAIN. WE CONTACTED PERFORMANCE MOTORS IN PARSONS AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR A SHORT TIME. NOW WE ARE CONSIDERING SELLING THIS VAN AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON WE CANNOT SELL IT. WE HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK TO SHOW WHERE IT HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM, WE DID A CAR FAX ON THE VAN TO SEE IF IT HAD BEEN WRECKED DUE TO THE LIGHT NOT GOING OFF AND IT CAME BACK NEGATIVE. WE WOULD LIKE SOME INPUT AS TO HOW WE SHOULD HANDLE THIS PROBLEM? I CHECKED THE RECALLS AND T
WHILE DRIVING ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 135,000
CHILD SEAT HAS A CRACK AT THE TOP OF THE TRAY SHIELD AND THE RECLINE ADJUSTER BUTTON DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. *MR *LA
THE POVER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING LOSS OF BOTH POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM? LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY.
Mileage: 162,840
THE POVER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING LOSS OF BOTH POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM? LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY.
Mileage: 162,840
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SNAPPED OFF AT THE LOWER LEFT HINGE. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT TILTED TO THE LEFT INTO THE DOOR POST. ALSO, THE HEAD REST SNAPPED OFF. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES . *AK THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED . *SC *JB
Mileage: 110,000
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SNAPPED OFF AT THE LOWER LEFT HINGE. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT TILTED TO THE LEFT INTO THE DOOR POST. ALSO, THE HEAD REST SNAPPED OFF. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES . *AK THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED . *SC *JB
Mileage: 110,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.