1996 GMC Safari: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 142 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (20% of complaints).
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 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Electrical system fails even with new battery, alternator. When I attempt to start vehicle all power is lost. Happened last year is happening again, only in winter. Kills battery after battery. Have bought 3 batteries, now the electrical power just does not come on. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2008
“Tl *- the contact called regarding a 1996 gmc safari van. The contact was traveling at 25 mph and when he approached a stop sign the cruise control engaged. His foot remained on the brakes, but the vehicle continued into the intersection and was hit by another vehicle. The contact stated that both of the vehicles were badly damaged. The vehicle did not have cruise control indicator, but he felt the cruise control engage. There were no injuries. The contact has a copy of the police report. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. *ak updated 02/27/07. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2007
“I love this van but im beginning to think there is something wrong with the door handles. When I least expect it the handles will just break off in my hand. I have replaced each one at least twice. I was wondering if there is a recall on them that I was not aware of. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 75 mph, a loud noise was heard and the contact lost control of the vehicle. It was maneuvered off the road and stopped. The vehicle was towed to a residence where a dealer representative came for an inspection and determined the passenger side torsion bar fractured, and needed to be replaced.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2006
“Gmc safari van was parked in driveway, next morning it was discovered that the front had collapsed and was just 2 inches off the pavement, inner fenders were touching the tires. Discovered that the torsion bars had failed, dealer said repairs will be $1000, part has been redesigned and has a new mounting kit to go along with new torsion bars . Vehicle is used as second family car and driven by daughter for school and work, luckily failure occurred while parked. *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2006
“The consumer 1996 gmc safari van electrical problem with fuel pump. *bf the fuel pump did not pump fuel. The fuel pump suffered electrical damage. The fuel filter was changed when the rebuilt engine was placed in the vehicle. The main bearing was shot. *sc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2005
“The brakes will not engage intermittently. At times there was a noise. Dealer could not duplicate the problem, so they will replace the ABS system. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2004
“Problem with 1996 gmc safari van not starting. *bf the mechanic found the fuel pump was not pumping fuel. Upon retrieving the fuel pump from the gas tank, he found it to have suffered severe electrical damage. The actual failure was not the fuel pump, but because it generated enough heat to melt the hose coming from the pump along the connection. The consumer also stated he had to have a rebuilt engine installed after the first engine failed with only 87,000 miles. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2004
“Power windows do not work. Consumer checked the fuses, and the fuses are not the problem. Consumer took the vehicle to an after market repair shop where the defect was noticed. *ak no recall found on this issue. *tc”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2004
“Dunlop rover tire failed at 17000 miles. Tire a complete loss .tire replaced blamed on poor workmanship.old tire keep at place of purchase.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
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.
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.
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.
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
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 1996 GMC Safari reliable?
NHTSA has 142 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 GMC Safari. The most complained-about area is suspension (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Safari problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 93,615 miles or less.
Does the 1996 GMC Safari have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.