2002 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
32,265 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 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 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 56.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 16.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
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 | 7 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Equipment: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10026642 · 2003-08-13 (August 13, 2003)
VEHICLE HAD BRAKE FAILURE WHILE GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT DIDN'T HOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER FELT GM SHOULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,231 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042443 · 2003-10-07 (October 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE SHUDDERED, THE ABS KICKED IN, AND A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034112 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY POPPED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN, BUT WILL NOT COME BACK UP WITH OUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THEM UP BY HAND. DOME LIGHT POPPED ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AT LEAST SIX TIMES SINCE ELEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069724 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
BRAKES SOFT AND NOSIE AT TIMES. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BRAKES JUMP WHEN STOPPING AT TIMES. BATTERY GOES DEAD. JUMPED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. GM TOLD ME TO REPLACE BATTERY. I DID AT WALMART FOR $50. INSTEAD AT AUTOWAY FOR $150. OVERHEAD INFORMATION (COMPASS, MILE PER GALLON ETC REPAIRED ABOUT SIX TIMES(BUT ON WARRANTY FROM AUTOWAY AND GM. HARD STARTING, FRONT DOORS JAM, RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FOG UP, TOLD TO TURN VENT BY AUTOWAY AND GM. VENT DOESN'T TURN. KEY LESS ENTRY DOESN'T WORK SOMETIMES. WAS TOLD BY AUTOWAY & GM THAT I AM THE PROBLEM BECAUSED …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138345 · 2005-10-03 (October 3, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE ABS ACTIVATED, AND VEHICLE LOST THE BRAKING CAPABILITY ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS MORE BRAKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE SERVICE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY STATED THE RIGHT HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TAKE OUT THE FUSE TO THE ABS AND THIS WOULD DISA…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273158 · 2009-06-08 (June 8, 2009)
MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS O.K. AND THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY CHARGED. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH AND A BRAKE LINING WAS LEAKING. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH LININGS AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND FILL WITH FRESH FLUID. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS I WAS TOLD THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,306 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153709 · 2006-03-25 (March 25, 2006)
HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 39,000 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 131,000 MILES. NOW IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YET TO BE DETERMINED AT 149,000 MILES. JUDGING FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT THAT IS COSTING THE CONSUMER A BUNDLE OF MONEY. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT OVER $3000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM NOW WAITING TO HEAR HOW MUCH MORE I WILL HAVE TO SPEND. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8021104 · 2002-10-18 (October 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT WITH OUT WARNING AT NIGHT. THE OVERHEAD INFORMATION PANEL HAS NOT WORKED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. MR THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED DUE TO ELECTRICAL LOCK FAILURE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FOGS UP AND CANNOT SEE MIRROR. KEY LESS SECURITY FAILED. *YH *JB *DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8021104 at NHTSA ↗