1998 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 59 complaints (10.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 25.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.7% |
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 | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 4; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 42 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 | 10 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 15; 2002: 9; 2003: 13; 2004: 3; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 10121529 · 2005-05-13 (May 13, 2005)
1998 GMC SAFARI HAS DIED FIVE TIMES AND EACH TIME THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER STEERING ABILITY.*MR STALLED WHILE DRIVING (NO START), CHECK FUEL SYSTEM. PERFORM FUEL INDUCTION AND THROTTLE BODY CLEAN. R&R OLD BELT, TENSIONER CAME APART, REPLACE TENSIONER AND BELT TO REPAIR. *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 30,738 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562919 · 2014-02-04 (February 4, 2014)
EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES SO CORRODED THAT THEY ARE CRACKING AND SPLITTING LEAKING FLUID AND NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. CORROSION ALSO NOTED ON FUEL LINES, AND VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 290,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020506 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03-V-930-000 RELATED TO A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR SWITCH. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106831 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN, AND IT MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE. DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING. THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER ONLY OPERATE THROUGH THE DEFROSTER. ALSO, UNLESS CONSUMER KEEPS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE BATTERY ALMOST DIES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558410 · 2001-01-04 (January 4, 2001)
TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT DISENTEGRATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022701 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK AND HARD PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER FOR THE PEDAL TO WORK. CAUTION WAS USED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED FORWARD BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048128 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL RAIL LINE SYSTEM WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER REPLACED FUEL RAIL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014055 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
I HAD THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. THE DEALER DID IT TWICE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD ON IT, THE THIRD TIME WAS 3,000 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED AN AAMOCO TRANSMISSIONS REPAIRED IT. THIS WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER 2002. THE TRANSMISSION IS AGAIN SHIFTING HARD AND "JUMPING" INTO GEAR AFTER STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT OR ANY SUCH INCIDENT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022209 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
GAUGE READS HOT AND PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044593 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FUEL TANK. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 54,909 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044593 at NHTSA ↗