1998 GMC Safari: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (12% 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 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Excessive corrosion of hydraulic brake lines. Brake lines so corroded that they are cracking and splitting leaking fluid and necessitating expensive repairs. Corrosion also noted on fuel lines, and vehicle undercarriage. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2014
“In an auto accident 2 days ago , the drivers air bag did not deploy nor did the seat belt hold me like it should, causing me to be slammed into the steering wheel and sustain injuries. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc safari. The current and failure mileage were 160,000. While driving 65 mph on a rainy night the windshield wipers failed causing the contact to be unable to see through the windshield. After swerving to the side of the road almost getting hit the vehicle was parked until it stopped raining. The mechanic stated that the motor stopped operating because the solder joint cracked. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“1998 safari van, random failure of windshield wiper motor, there is no pattern to it, it fails intermittently to function, which is kind of a safety concern, since the only time I use the wipers is during a rainstorm, which reduces vision greatly. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2006
“I own a 1998 gmc safari van; I have had problems with the wipers working when ever they wanted to" since purchasing the van. Yesterday during a heavy thunderstorm, the wipers quit completely with zero warning. The only reason that there was not an accident was because luckily there was nothing for me to hit when I lost control due to not being able to see. I have spoken to gm customer service on numerous occasions to only be told that although the circuit board that causes this problem has been recalled for other years, it is not recalled on 1998 year models. Please address this issue for safety sake before some is killed. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2006
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc safari. While driving 30 mph, the windshield wipers failed. However, they began operating again five to ten minutes later. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that rainfall is frequent in his state. No warning indicator lights were present during or after the failure. The failure is related to NHTSA campaign id # 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The dealer has not diagnosed the cause of failure. The current mileage is 143,000 and failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 05/06/08. *lj updated 05/06/08”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2005
“1998 gmc safari has died five times and each time there was a loss of brakes and power steering ability.*mr stalled while driving (no start), check fuel system. Perform fuel induction and throttle body clean. R&r old belt, tensioner came apart, replace tensioner and belt to repair. *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2005
“1998 gmc safari van automatic transmission model 700, failured at 93,000 miles due to a 3rd gear slippage. I found in my research to fix this problem this was common for gmc trucks with this transmission for this to fail between 90,000 and 100,000 even with scheduled service. Gmc agreed to replace with a factory rebuild, which they did but at my cost of $2,300.00, with a 36 month/50,000 mile warranty. I could not find any tech service bulletins or recalls on your web site, do you have anyother information. Gmc and its dealership is already aware of my product displeasure when I expect quailty and durability it was not there. Please respond, thank you.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2005
“Idle links had to be changed at 21,000 miles. Consumer went to a repair shop to have the front end aligned, and that was when consumer was informed that this problem occurred. *ak *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2004
“I have a 98 gmc safari, I have had three (3) rear ac blower control switches burn up in it six (6) years. The switches are melted from overheating. Do you have any other complaints over this issue? The date listed below is the last one. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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.
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.
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 1998 GMC Safari reliable?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 GMC Safari. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Safari problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 GMC Safari have open recalls?
5 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.