1995 GMC Safari: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 196 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints); the 1993 and 1994 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2014
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2012
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Right side torsion bar breakage while parked in driveway. Only 66,000 miles on van. Called gmc customer service. Email response received. No indication of what is to be done as of yet. Cannot believe this part hasn't been re-called w/ all the complaints and possibility of serious injury. Fender dropped right down on tire. Please recall all 1990-1995 astro/safari. Gmc re-designed the torsion bar for 1996 because of these failures. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2008
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2007
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2007
“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”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2006
“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”Owner report · Suspension · May 2005
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2005
“Consumer already performed recall 03v159000 repairs concerning windshield wiper/washer motor. Original invoice was send to the manufacturer in august 2003, and was still waiting for reimbursement. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE LEFT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM-TO-FRAME REAR NUT NOT TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE LEFT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM-TO- FRAME REAR NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
THE FUEL LINES ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL LOWER THE FUEL TANK AND TIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK LINES TO THE PROPER TORQUE VALUE.
CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PROPER TORQUE.
Remedy: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Safari by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 GMC Safari reliable?
NHTSA has 196 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 GMC Safari. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 GMC Safari problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 112,000 miles or less.
Does the 1995 GMC Safari have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower arm. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.