Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Brakes faulty. Brand new pads installed last week all around adjusted and dealer claims all is well but problem still exists. It takes an extreme amount of force applied to the pedal to stop this vehicle, noticed at 35K. Dangerous and not easy to get used to. In addition, windshield leaks on the top drivers side and the rear right door handle is failing on back dutch doors now at 65K. Also, both power door actuators on the drivers side and the passenger side failed completely at 34K.
Passenger side power window goes part way down, will not go out - intermittent problem increased to permanent problem. Now goes down maybe 1/2 inch, only goes up 1/32 inch at a time. Has been repaired twice, needs repair again. I purchased the vehicle used in 6/03, not long after that, problem surfaced in increasing regularity. When I had problem repaired by dealer in 1/04, I was told this had been repaired before. Items repaired / replaced, were: 1314wsc95 - electrical misc. Po45391 - motor po45386 - actuator several rivets. The repair facility described the window problem as "binding", and a also found that the door lock was not activating properly due to a door lock mechanism problem (the actuator) as having an "internal short". The repair of 1/04 was good for about 14 months (dealer refused to warrant work), when in 3/05, the problem had gradually returned. …
Tl 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. Updated 05/06/08
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.
Windshield wiper module failure, approximately in early 2006 on 1000K trip. Parts purchased module n12463 part number 12463090 from dealer in edmonton at cost of $64.87 including gst.. Returned home 1000K as dealer too busy too fix, and paid $36.00 labor to have installed. Total cost for module and labor: $100.87. My request is for GM to pay this $100.87 as this should have been covered under a recall notice at any time in the life of these vehicles.
September 1, 1999: ac problem (not cooling) repaired under warranty. November 3, 1999: left driver s door window motor replaced under warranty (not passenger side as documented on the invoice). January 31, 2003: I wrote to GMC customer service via email, detailing some problems that had developed with my van. I complained that the driver s window motor was intermittent at best. I mentioned was the windshield wipers worked erratically. My low setting on the ac fan was inoperable, and eventually all 3 levels stopped. I had been living with it for over a year, because I am a single mom, work full time and couldn t afford to be without my transportation. The reply I got was that my van was too old, and things break. Three months later, I received a recall campaign in the mail for the windshield wiper motor. …
Windshield wipers do not operate - recalled - dealer claims it was repaired, now wipers operate whenever it feels like it. Both torsion rods failed without warning within 1 day apart of each other. Mechanic revealed that GM now has a special technique to be done when this happens and it costs an extra $90 to repair. Which means they are aware of the problem and will not recall the vehicles and replace at their cost. Broken spark plug almost killed my family. Fuel pump went out. Driver's side window does not roll down, driver's side view mirror does not operate.
Intermittently rear windshield wipers become inoperable, obstructing driver's view. The accelerator cable was replaced twice. The alternator was replaced three times. The water pump was replaced twice. The driver's side power window motor was replaced and the passenger side needs to be replaced. The driver's side seat motor failed. The hatch failed. The rear captain chairs seat belts broke.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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…
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
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.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Safari years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (37), 1996 (32), 1997 (29) and 1998 (9) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for GMC Safari window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003); 03V-093 (exterior, Mar 7, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Safari window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (52 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer › motor (31).
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.