Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2001 GMC Safari. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrates, backfires, and fails to start when cold. He has not taken the vehicle to a dealer. NHTSA service bulletin number 03-06-04-041 was referenced. The current mileage was 94,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 03-04-08 when the vehicle did start, it would run rough and then stall. Updated
Engine stalls as vehicle slows down. Intermittent problem as progressed by not restarting after it stalls. This will be the fifth time going in, and cannot be duplicated. Dealer was notified. Pleae provide more information.
Intermittently when applying brake pedal it would pulsate. When this occurs, driver has to apply brake pedal harder to get vehicle to stop;. Vehicle been in dealer shop on five or more times, and unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle shifts hard and the brake pedal feels spongy. The driver side seat riser not operable. The brakes vibrate. The left window was inoperable. The vehicle had coolant leak.
Red engine light came on transmission was jumping into gear, with 26,000 miles, took to dealer they found nothing wrong. Took trip to florida red light came on took to aamco transmission (36,000 mi) found problem,850$, said this was common with this vehicle. GMC paid me half, going to court with dealer for other half. My warranty was over due to years.
While doing routine maintenance on my vehicle- I removed the radiator cap and noticed that the GM dex-cool extended life coolant has deteriorated. With only 40,000 miles the coolant should have had another 3 years and 60,000 miles before needing servicing. If I do not get the system flushed and hopefully refilled with something that won't degrade- I will to pay to have the system professionally flushed. This can only be done by the dealer since no one can handle dex cool systems yet. I have had most of the autoparts stores and oil change/radiator shops tell me that they have other people report of the same problems. Obviously GM is not recalling these vehicles to replace the coolant and people are having to pay to have the system repaired or major engine work if a significant failure occured. Can your department push this problem to the public forefront? Thank you.
1998 GMC Safari has died five times and each time there was a loss of brakes and power steering ability. 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.
Engine dies out while driving and causing a loss of all power equiptment, such as steering, and brakes. Engine stalls and surges forward when restarting the vehicle. Dealer replaced sensor , mass air flow, fuel filter, ignition coil wire and PCM still the vehicle stalls.
A/C/heating: rear heat went out and had to be rewired engine: the water pump went out and had to replace it, that was covered by warranty. But still has a front oil leak some where in the front. Other: I heard a grinding noise while going down the road I took it in to the dealer I bought it from and they looked it over and said nothing was wrong. Shortly after warranty ran out the transfer case went out so we had a used one put in and it only lasted four months now it sits in the garage there should be something to do about the transfer case they should last longer. Brakes: been having trouble with the ABS brakes since we bought it took it in to a dealer and they said nothing was wrong with it. I ended up doing the brakes and found they had cracked pads causing the noise in the brakes. …
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Safari years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (18), 1995 (17), 1996 (10), 1998 (6) and 1999 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for GMC Safari engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any GMC Safari model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Safari engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (22 mentions), followed by the engine (12).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.