1996 Gmc SAFARI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
82 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
93,615 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 82 complaints (23.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 17.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 7 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 7; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 6; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 5; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 60 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 21; 2001: 19; 2002: 11; 2003: 10; 2004: 13; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003955 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE IMPACT.*JB PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006943 · 2002-07-17 (July 17, 2002)
FLAT TIRE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. CAN PRESENT SAFETY PROBLEM IF DRIVER TRIES TO DRIVE CAR WITHOUT FIXING FLAT. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*764370
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018166 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPER EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, BUT IT'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026262 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING TORSION BAR BROKE ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DOWN ON THE FRONT TIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT GMC NEEDS TO NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE DEFECTS OF HOW BAD OF A DESIGN THE TORSION BARS ARE. *AK *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026635 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD "BANG." FRONT RIGHT SIDE WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 7/7/2003 WHO REPAIRED THE TORSION BAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031642 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITONER IS TURNED ON AIR DOES NOT GET COLD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAYS AIR CONDITIONER HOSE IS LEAKING FREON. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031740 · 2003-07-31 (July 31, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032813 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH DRIVERS SIDE TORSION BAR INEXPLICABLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BROKE. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND PULLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY FOR MY PASSENGERS AND MYSELF I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY REGAIN CONTROL AND COME TO A SAFE STOP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. SUCH A FAILURE COULD EASILY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. SINCE THE TORSION BAR FAILURE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DIFFERENT MECHANICS "THEY BREAK ALL THE TIME" AND "IT IS A DESIGN FLAW". I UNDERSTAND THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,265 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032813 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V123000 · Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices
Reported: 2001-04-10 (April 10, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V057000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 1997-04-08 (April 8, 1997)
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V009000 · Child Seat
Reported: 1999-01-20 (January 20, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗