2003 Gmc SAFARI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
46,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 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 3 of 18 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 44.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
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 | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1; Seat Belts:Rear/Other: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10134767 · 2005-08-30 (August 30, 2005)
AT IRREGULAR TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS (~10 MPH), ON DRY CLEAN PAVEMENT, AND UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES AND EXTENDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER VEHICLES IN OTHER STATES, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM EXTENDS TO MORE YEAR MODELS AND OVER A WIDER AREA. IN ADDITION, GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #02-05-25-006A COVERING MORE VEHICLES THAN WERE IN THE INITIAL RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. IT SEEMS THAT IF A TSB WAS RELEASED, THEY ARE…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135233 · 2005-09-02 (September 2, 2005)
I OWN A 2003 GMC SAFARI WHICH I PURCHASED IN UTAH. EARLIER THIS YEAR I EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BAKING SYSTEM WHERE THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE AT LOW SPEEDS, INCREASING MY STOPPING DISTANCE GREATLY. I CONTACTED GM AS THIS SEEMED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT IN TO A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND NOTED THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD AND BILLED ME FOR A REPAIR. I SEE NOW THAT GM HAS ISSUE A RECALL, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT COVER MY STATE OR VEHICLE MODEL, I WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT THESE OTHER …
Owner-reported narrative. 46,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011257 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING FORWARD WHILE IN REVERSE. THE GM TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087674 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 2004)
VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED, THE FAN MOTOR WAS REPLACED, AND ALL OF THESE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004503 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE HYDRO BOOST FAILED CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK AND SLIGHT LOST OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109319 · 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109319 at NHTSA ↗