1999 GMC Safari: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (27% 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 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 gmc safari. While the vehicle was parked in the contact's driveway, he noticed that the air conditioning fan activated automatically, without the engine running. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 5 mph, the vehicle's ABS sensor unit failed on three separate occasions. The service dealer replaced the ABS sensor unit three times, but the problem persisted.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2006
“1999 gmc safari transmission failure. See gm tsb #00-07-30-002 dated 11/2000. 1st-2nd late shift, reverse, 2nd, & 4th gear caused immediate failure. All required transmission service performed by dealer on this vehicle. Root cause is the known sun gear shell failure in the gm 4l60e automatic transmission. Vehicle has 70,511 miles. Filed gmc customer complaint #1-366073225. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 gmc safari. Since the vehicle was purchased in may of 2005, the steering idler arm has been replaced four times. As a result, the vehicle has lost steering ability. The contact has put 30,000 miles on the vehicle in two years. The mechanic stated that the idler arms have failed and need to be replaced. The mechanic also stated that this is a common failure due to a design flaw. She has not contacted a local authorized dealer or the manufacturer. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current mileage is 99,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2005
“Dt: about a year ago the problem began. When braking at low speeds about 5-10 mph ABS kicks in and a grinding sound occurs. This causes extended stopping distances. All wheel drive, all wheel antilock to the owner's knowledge. No warning lights illuminated and the dealer said that the ABS sensor looked corroded. The vehicle was put on the diagnostic machine but it showed no codes. When the ABS fuse is pulled the car works fine but has no ABS. The owner hasn't disconnected the ABS fuse. The vehicle has not been repaired yet and the problem has remained about the same. The problem occurs about 90 percent of the time during low speed brake applications.*ak *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2004
“While driving over 50 mph vehicle vibrated. Consumer was in touch with the dealer and manufacturer, but the problem still existed. Consumer stated that the driveshaft was the problem, yet they won't do anything about it. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2004
“Second occurance of same problem with ABS system engaging at low speeds for no reason on 1999 gmc safari van. The problem is a bad sensor in the front brakes but requires a complete replacement of the hub/bearing assembly unit.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2004
“Dealer had replaced the front differential component unit twice, the carrier case gear kit and bearing at owner expense of $ 1,500. Dollars. Please provide further information. *ph”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2003
“Front rotors were warped and grooved to the point that turning them would have made them to thin for safe use. I have never owned a car that the rotors warped so badly at less than 30,000 miles. In my opinion and my mechanics, gmc is installing inferior rotors at a great expense to it's customers. Dt”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2002
“The vehicle was involved in an accident, where the seat belts in the rear did not hold the passenger in the seat. The dealer has been notified. Mr scc”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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. 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 1999 GMC Safari reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 GMC Safari. The most complained-about area is power train (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 GMC Safari problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 GMC Safari have open recalls?
3 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.