1997 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
91 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 91 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 20.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 16.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 9.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 5.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 10 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 10; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 72 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 26; 2001: 19; 2002: 16; 2003: 7; 2004: 11; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 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 10025829 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAIL WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM STARTS TO FUNCTION AND THEN AT ABOUT 2 MPH THE PEDAL GOES DOWN COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. YOU COULD ONLY REGAIN BRAKING ABILITY IF YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKES WHILE THE ABS SYSTEM RESET ITSELF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY (PART COST $864) WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER'S SERVICE INVOICE INDICATED A TEST DRIVE FOUND THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR "DROPPING OUT" AND "TESTED CIRCUIT SENSOR OPEN". THE SERVICE ADVISOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 27,860 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030456 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
1997 GMC SAFARI COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHICH NEGATES POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY! I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER WILL GO OUT. IT HAS GONE OUT ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION "SLAMS" INTO GEAR ON OCCASION AT NO SPECIFIC INTERVAL. THERE CAN BE SEVERAL DAYS SEPERATING THE INCIDENTS; NO LOGICAL PATTERN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MARTIN CADILLAC IN LOS ANGELES AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS FIXED AND SO FAR THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016477 · 2003-04-25 (April 25, 2003)
97 SAFARI CONSISTENTLY SETS P1870 CODE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE SHIFT EXTREMELY HARD (ACTUALLY SLIP)1ST-2ND-3RD. HARD ENOUGH A SIGNIFICANT CHANCE OF U-JOINT BREAKAGE, UNCONTROLLED TIRE SPINNING ON ICE/SLICK ROADS, (I HAVE EXPERIENCED),WHIPLASH TYPE EXPERIENCE UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION. THIS SUDDEN SHIFT ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO CAUSING INTERIOR COMPONENTS SUCH AS CENTER CONSOLE TO SHAKE LOOSE. SEVERAL INSTANCES HAVE CAUSED ITEMS IN CENTER COLUMN CUP HOLDER TO FALL OUT AND SPILL. GM HAS TSB ON RECORD AND RECOGNIZES THIS A…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016477 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011391 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059141 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS ON CONSUMER'S TWO VANS. EACH VAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, MOTORS FOR DOOR AND WINDOWS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FUEL PUMP, OXYGEN SENSORS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *LA THE CONSUMER HAS TWO GMC SAFARI'S BOTH 1997 MODELS. THEIR VIN'S ARE [XXX] AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064589 · 2004-04-05 (April 5, 2004)
SMELLED GASOLINE. CHECKED FOR LEAKS. FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FITTING WHERE THE SUPPLY LINE TRANSITIONS FORM A PLASTIC HOSE THAT ORIGINATES AT THE FUEL PUMP TO THE 3/8 INCH STEEL FUEL LINE. THIS LEAK WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE HOT EXHAUST MUFFLER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072604 · 2004-05-14 (May 14, 2004)
SEPTEMBER 1, 1999: AC PROBLEM (NOT COOLING) REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOVEMBER 3, 1999: LEFT DRIVERS 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 DRIVERS 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 WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,804 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748517 · 2001-07-16 (July 16, 2001)
SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, HAVE NOTED UNFORTUNATLEY WHEN IT START TO RAIN THAT THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS ACTIVATE WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBLEM CAN BE RECTIFIED BY GETTING OUT OF THE VAN, OPENING THE HOOD AND PRESSING THE WIRE CONECTIONS TOGETHER. HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE WIPERS WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE. ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS HAVE POWER AMD THE PLUG CONNECTION IS TIGHT AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO LOOSEN. THOUGH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 858704 · 2000-03-16 (March 16, 2000)
VEHICLE STALLS AT A SLOW SPEED OR WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM A STOP POSITION. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON 12 OCCASIONS, AND AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED. ROTORS REPAIRED/OUT OF ROUND, MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED, HEADLAMP SWITCH REPLACED.*AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 892016 · 2001-07-05 (July 5, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ENGINE STALLED. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. ON JULY 1 WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 892016 at NHTSA ↗