1996 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
82 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
93,615 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 82 complaints (23.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 17.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 7 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 7; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 6; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 5; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 60 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 21; 2001: 19; 2002: 11; 2003: 10; 2004: 13; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 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 10033874 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. *AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056627 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN BRAKES PRESSED ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHICH CAUSES A DELAYED STOP-TIME OF ABOUT 3 SECONDS. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 140,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722144 · 2000-05-01 (May 1, 2000)
I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED IN DEC. AND IN FEB. I HAD JUST DRIVEN IN FROM GA TO CA AND IT WAS 7:30AM IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND THE FRONT OF THE AIR CONDIT. UNIT FELL OFF. I HEARD WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ROCKS HITTING UNDER THE FRONT END AND LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS BEARINGS, BUT JUST AS I HEARD THE SOUND I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL .. I HIT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY AND POWER STEERED MY VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL . IF I HAD BEEN GOING 60 ON THE FREEWAY INSTEAD OF 10…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750493 · 2001-08-15 (August 15, 2001)
BOTH TORSION BARS BROKE AT 60 MPH CAUSING FRONT OF VEHICLE TO DROP ON TIRES.VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP WITH NO STEERING.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER.SERVICE TECH.SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.CALLED GMC AND THEY AGREED WITH DEALER.I ASK DEALER FOR THE BROKEN TORSION BARS AND HAD THEM ANYLIZED BY A METAL LAB TECH.HIS OPINION WAS THAT THE BARS HAD STRESS CRACKS FROM THE METAL BEING DEFECTIVE.IF THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS GM HAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD DRIVING ON YOUR HIGHWAYS DAILY.HOW MANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS,INJURIES…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070505 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112837 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
THE CONSUMER 1996 GMC SAFARI VAN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP. *BF THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT PUMP FUEL. THE FUEL PUMP SUFFERED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS CHANGED WHEN THE REBUILT ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MAIN BEARING WAS SHOT. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115064 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
PROBLEM WITH 1996 GMC SAFARI VAN NOT STARTING. *BF THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING FUEL. UPON RETRIEVING THE FUEL PUMP FROM THE GAS TANK, HE FOUND IT TO HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE ACTUAL FAILURE WAS NOT THE FUEL PUMP, BUT BECAUSE IT GENERATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THE HOSE COMING FROM THE PUMP ALONG THE CONNECTION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD TO HAVE A REBUILT ENGINE INSTALLED AFTER THE FIRST ENGINE FAILED WITH ONLY 87,000 MILES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 866120 · 2000-07-27 (July 27, 2000)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 WHEN ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND IT WAS HARD TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM SPEEDING UP AND TO TRYING TO KEEP CONTROL, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER FINALLY SHIFTED GEAR INTO PARK, WHICH THEN STOPPED VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, AND NOTICED BRAKES HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866120 at NHTSA ↗