GMC Savana Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Savana model year from 1996–2026 using 345 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 58 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1999, 1997, 2000, 1996 and 1998, which drew far more complaints than other Savana years at the same age. The best years are 2020, 2011 and 2014.

30model years
345complaints
58recalls
1999, 1997worst years
2020, 2011best years

Complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’25’26354633494919122212137632313212673522
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Savana. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20260typical3—Few
20250typical4—Few
20230−50%2—Few
20222typical2BodyFew
20212−20%3SteeringFew
20200−71%2—Average
20195typical5ElectricalAverage
20183−33%7BrakeAverage
20177typical6TransmissionAverage
20166typical7SteeringAverage
20152−63%4Window & WiperAverage
20141−63%7AC & HeaterAverage
20132−50%9Wheel & TireAverage
20123−38%7AirbagAverage
20111−63%5Fuel SystemAverage
20103−38%4Wheel & TireAverage
20092−63%8ElectricalAverage
20083−38%7ElectricalAverage
20076−38%3BrakeAverage
20067typical7EngineAverage
2005131.5×5BrakeAverage
2004121.3×7TransmissionAverage
2003222.8×11EngineCaution
2002121.4×—BodyAverage
2001192.4×—ElectricalCaution
2000495.8×2BrakeAvoid
1999496.3×1BrakeAvoid
1998334.3×1BrakeAvoid
1997465.9×1BrakeAvoid
1996354.4×2Window & WiperAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Savana year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common GMC Savana problems

  • Brakesworst: 2000
    7823%
  • Body & structureworst: 1999
    3911%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2000
    3610%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 1997
    309%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 1996
    288%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 1997
    288%
  • Steeringworst: 1999
    288%
  • Electrical systemworst: 1998
    278%
  • Air bagsworst: 1998
    257%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 1996
    226%
  • Seat beltsworst: 1997
    134%
  • Suspensionworst: 2000
    113%
  • Other / not specified
    103%
  • Seatsworst: 1997
    82%
  • Locks & latchesworst: 1996
    72%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 1998
    62%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 1999
    41%
  • Lightsworst: 2000
    41%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 1996
    21%
  • Driver assistanceworst: 2001
    21%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2016
    21%

Latest GMC Savana recalls

Steering

NHTSA recall 26V-399 · Jun 23, 2026 · 26,541 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express, and 2025-2026 Savana vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have a nut that was not properly tightened.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2026.

Steering › Column

NHTSA recall 26V-345 · May 28, 2026 · 232 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The gear shifter may provide inaccurate gear selection feedback to the driver due to an incorrectly manufactured steering column assembly.

Remedy: Until the remedy is performed, owners are advised to visually verify the shift position indicator each time a gear is selected and always use the parking brake when the vehicle is parked.

Tires › Sidewall

NHTSA recall 26V-127 · Mar 5, 2026 · 857 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express Cutaway, and 2025-2026 Savana Cutaway vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a tire with sidewall damage.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect all tire sidewalls and replace tires with sidewall damage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026.

Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint

NHTSA recall 25V-299 · May 8, 2025 · 32 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The front passenger seat head restraint may have been improperly welded to the seat frame.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front passenger seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, 2025.

Structure › Body › Door

NHTSA recall 25V-087 · Feb 13, 2025 · 82 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. The impact beam located in the driver's side door may have improper welds.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side door, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 800-462-8782.

All 58 GMC Savana recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Savana should you avoid?

1999, 1997, 2000, 1996, 1998 and 2003 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Savana years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 1999.

What is the best year for the GMC Savana?

2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Savana years at the same age, followed by 2011 and 2014. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common GMC Savana problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (78), body & structure (39) and wheels & tires (36). Brake complaints peak in the 2000 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Savana had?

58 recalls across 1996–2026. The model year with the most is 2003. See all GMC Savana recalls by year.

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.