Total Complaints
200 filings
GMC SAFARI · model year
1997 GMC SAFARI
200 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997GMCSAFARI carries 200 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 1997 SAFARI is power train:automatic transmission with 17 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (13) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (9). 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 1997 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.
200
Complaints
10
Crashes
3
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 17 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 8 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 8 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 4 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 4 |
Recent Complaints
20140828CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS VAN BELONGS TO MY MOTHER. MY SISTER WAS DRIVING THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE IS 60 YRS OF AGE AND A VERY GOOD DRIVER. HER DESCRIPTION: "JUST PULLING AWAY FROM ONE LIGHT & COMING UP TO ANOTHER. WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 20 MPH. STEP ON THE BRAKES & THEY WEREN'T THERE." THE ACCIDENT CAUSED ABOUT $500 IN DAMAGE TO THE HONDA AUTO THAT WAS STRUCK, AND SIMILAR LIGHT DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE SAFARI. I INSPECTED SYSTEM AND FOUND NO LEAKS, AND CONCLUDED THAT MASTER CYLINDER MAY BE FAILING, SO I REPLACED IT. AFTER THAT REPAIR, HAD EXCELLENT PEDAL. I BORROWED THE VAN A FEW DAYS LATER, AND WHILE DRIVING IT, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME NO BRAKE CONDITION 3 TIMES, ONCE WHICH LEFT THE FRONT END OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION (LUCKILY, NO COLLISION). I RECOGNIZED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ERRONEOUSLY KEEPING THE FRONT BRAKES FROM APPLYING, AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE NO BRAKE CONDITION. A GM MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO PULL THE ABS FUSE. I DID SO, AND NOW THE VAN HAS GREAT BRAKES, EVERY
Mileage: 70,000
20110804CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 GMC SAFARI BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY NO REAR NO FRONT SUSPECT IT WAS THE ANTI LOCK CONTROL UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT . NO LEAKS VISIBLE. *TR
Mileage: 185,000
20080515VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILURE, APPROXIMATELY IN EARLY 2006 ON 1000K TRIP. PARTS PURCHASED MODULE N12463 PART NUMBER 12463090 FROM DEALER IN EDMONTON AT COST OF $64.87 INCLUDING GST.. RETURNED HOME 1000K AS DEALER TOO BUSY TOO FIX, AND PAID $36.00 LABOR TO HAVE INSTALLED. TOTAL COST FOR MODULE AND LABOR: $100.87. MY REQUEST IS FOR GM TO PAY THIS $100.87 AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AT ANY TIME IN THE LIFE OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Mileage: 171,000
20060912FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LEAK IN SAFARI SUPPLIED FUEL LINE THAT GOES TO THE GENERATOR. *NM
Mileage: 37,000
20060728LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1997 GMC SAFARI VAN VEHICLE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER HAD TO TIE THE DOORS WITH A ROPE TO KEEP THEM CLOSED. *JB
20051101POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED . HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD REPAIR WORK DONE IN MAY 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2005 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REFUND THE MONEY FOR SERVICE TOWARD A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS REPAIR HAS NOT CURRENTLY BEEN MADE.*AK
20050823POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1997 GMC SAFARI TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SUN GEAR SHELL FAILURE CAUSED NO REVERSE, SECOND OR OVERDRIVE ON THIS VEHICLE.
Mileage: 112,135
20050724ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AT 90000 MILES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 97 GMC SAFARI SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. 10 MINUTES LATER THEY MIGHT WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING REGULARLY. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAYS OF LOS ANGELES AS A RESULT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE WEB FORUM IT WAS FAULTY LEADS DUE TO WIRE HARNESS STRESS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW AVOID THE FREEWAYS IN THE RAIN.
20050629VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: DEALER TOLD THE CALLER THE THROTTLE STUCK WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. CALLER HAS NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE TO HAVE THIS PART MAINTAINED. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. MANUFACTURER SAID BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. CALLER FELT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. CALLER HAD NO IDEA THAT PART WAS A MAINTENANCE ITEM. CALLER WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HE HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES HARD, AND TURN IT OFF TO GET IT TO STOP.*AK *JB
Mileage: 107,000
20050505SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
BRAKES FAIL AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 5 MPH
Mileage: 60,000
20050325VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETRERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
20050307FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. *JB *NM
Mileage: 36,000
20041206POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20041206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20041206FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20041206VISIBILITY
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20041206ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
20040824FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND UNDERNEATH HOOD FROM THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHE THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
20040730ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE HAD WITH THE CHASSIS AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. (NAR) *PH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AC/ HEATER, GAS GAUGE, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, ELECTRIC WINDOW. *CB
20040730POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE HAD WITH THE CHASSIS AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. (NAR) *PH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, AC/ HEATER, GAS GAUGE, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, ELECTRIC WINDOW. *CB
Compare 1997GMCSAFARI to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 GMC SAFARI have?▼
The 1997 GMC SAFARI has 200 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC SAFARI?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 GMC SAFARI is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1997 GMC SAFARI safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.