Gmc SAVANA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
79,558 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 24 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 29.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Tires: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Suspension: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11012339 · 2017-08-02 (August 2, 2017)
MY BRAKES WENT OUT (FAILED) ON MY WAY HOME, LUCKILY IT WAS AT A STOP SIGN NEAR MY HOUSE ON A SIDE STREET! WHEN I LOOKED UNDER VAN THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING, PEEING OUT OF A HOLE! LOOKS LIKE ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AND CORRODED!
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11012339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177357 · 2006-12-29 (December 29, 2006)
BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO BURNED GROUND CONNECTION IN SOCKETS. SINGS OF PLASTIC MELTING IN EACH BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413912 · 2021-04-26 (April 26, 2021)
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND BETWEEN 35 TO 45 MPH HAS A ROUGH VIBRATION. PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR DRIVEWAY THE BRAKES WILL SOMETIMES FEEL DIFFERENT AND THE PEDAL WILL SHAKE.
Owner-reported narrative. 116,284 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240503 · 2008-09-01 (September 1, 2008)
THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON 2001 CHEVY SILVERADOS WITH 8.1L ENGINES DUE A INTERMITTENT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. (SEE RECALL ID# 53021). I OWN A 2002 GMC SAVANNA 3500 VAN WITH A 8.1L ENGINE (THE VAN WAS FACTORY ORDERED BY US IN AUG 2001) THAT HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME STALLING FAILURES FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. THE VAN HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEEDS IN EXCEEDS OF 40 MPH. AFTER BRINGING THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 3/26/08 (AND THEY FINDING NOTHING WRONG WITH IT), I HAVE LOGGED T…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262640 · 2009-03-21 (March 21, 2009)
VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN EARLY MORNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. NO RAIN, 45 DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP., HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER FIRST NOTICED DASH LIGHTS FLICKER & ALTERNATOR GAUGE SHOWING A DISCHARGE, THEN THESE ISSUES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VAN CONTINUED BEING DRIVEN FOR 15 MINUTES TO DESTINATION W/O FURTHER ISSUES. UPON DEPARTING VAN, DRIVER NOTICED UNUSUAL SMELL AND WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN AT ABOUT MIDPOINT. UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER SAW FLAMES EMANATING FROM SAID POINT UNDERNEATH THE VAN AND LI…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164323 · 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT THE STEERING, THE WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10979318 · 2017-04-19 (April 19, 2017)
FUEL TANK CORRODES AND LEAKS FUEL ON ROADWAY
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979318 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 3; 2007: 0; 2009: 0; 2010: 0; 2014: 0; 2015: 0