1999 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 52 complaints (17.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 28.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 17.3% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 9.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
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 | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 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 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 38 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 | 14 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2000: 14; 2001: 14; 2002: 8; 2003: 5; 2004: 6; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10007412 · 2002-09-13 (September 13, 2002)
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE COIL WIRE TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. WHEN THE WIRE FAILS, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL TO WORK. THIS CAUSES A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767118
Owner-reported narrative. 37,739 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086557 · 2004-08-10 (August 10, 2004)
SECOND OCCURANCE OF SAME PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM ENGAGING AT LOW SPEEDS FOR NO REASON ON 1999 GMC SAFARI VAN. THE PROBLEM IS A BAD SENSOR IN THE FRONT BRAKES BUT REQUIRES A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY UNIT.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021337 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
RED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TRANSMISSION WAS JUMPING INTO GEAR, WITH 26,000 MILES, TOOK TO DEALER THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. TOOK TRIP TO FLORIDA RED LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION (36,000 MI) FOUND PROBLEM,850$, SAID THIS WAS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. GMC PAID ME HALF, GOING TO COURT WITH DEALER FOR OTHER HALF. MY WARRANTY WAS OVER DUE TO YEARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032542 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
I OWN A 1999 GMC SAFARI THAT HAD ITS TRANSMISSION FAIL AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. IT FAILED BEFORE ITS FIRST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF THE 3/36 WARRANTY PERIOD SO I WAS OUT OF LUCK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193372 · 2007-06-14 (June 14, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SAFARI. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2005, THE STEERING IDLER ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAS LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT HAS PUT 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN TWO YEARS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IDLER ARMS HAVE FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 99,0…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 726457 · 2000-08-02 (August 2, 2000)
FUEL PUMP VERY NOISY-DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL-I HAVE YET TO HEAR ANOTHER VAN MAKE THE SAME NOISE!! I AM COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE. G.M. IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863534 · 2000-06-13 (June 13, 2000)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEMS WITHIN A 12-MONTH PERIOD. FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS/DRIVER'S POWER LOCK FAILED TO OPERATE/COURTESY LIGHTS AND RADIO WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY/BATTERY SHORTED OUT ON TWO OCCASIONS/SIDE WINDOW STOPPED OPERATING/TAIL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY BLINKED OFF/ON/ODOMETER WOULD FLASH OFF/ON, AND REAR DOOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK/UNLOCK. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012082 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
THE VEHICLE JERKED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THEN STALLED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012082 at NHTSA ↗