1991 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
162,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 22 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 36.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
1995: 4; 1996: 4; 2000: 6; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10036634 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO THOSE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE. TWICE NOW WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN A PANIC SITUATION THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED ECU ON BRAKE SYSTEM ONCE NOW DEALER INFORMS THAT IS MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST OF $1200. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN EXTRAVAGANT MAINTENANCE EXPENSE EVERY TIME YOU NEED THE ANTI-LOCK PORTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT DUE TO FAILURE, MUST REPLACE IDLER ARMS EVERY TWO YEARS DUE TO FAILURE AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE E…
Owner-reported narrative. 128,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263283 · 2009-03-27 (March 27, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SECONDLY, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SKIDS. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING A DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 *BF UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 174,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070717 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I HAVE HAD MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM MY 1991 GMC SAFARI MINI VAN THAN ALL OTHER PREVIOUS VEHICLES I'VE EVER OWNED. I'M LOOKING AT MY THIRD TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL SOON (SEEMS LIKE ONE EVERY TWO YEARS) AND I DON'T DRIVE FAST AND DON'T HAVE A HITCH TO "PULL" ANYTHING. CURRENTLY, MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO DRIVE. IT WENT FROM HAPPENING ONCE A MONTH TO APPROXIMATELY 4-6 TIMES A DAY. THE TRANSMISSIONS SHOPS I'VE SEEN SAY I NEED AN OVERHAUL AGAIN. I HATE THIS GMC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 884466 · 2001-03-28 (March 28, 2001)
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TRANSMISSION DIP STICK POPPED OFF, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ALL OVER WINDSHEILD. TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING AFTRERWARDS. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 884466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802015 · 1996-09-09 (September 9, 1996)
TIE ROD END BROKE, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, SPEED 20 MPH.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802015 at NHTSA ↗