2002 Gmc SAFARI: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 10040587 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
THE VEHICLES FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVERS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. M PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040587 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 10047796 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DURING FOGGY CONDITIONS AT 20 TO 25 MPH, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER BROKE HER BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10047796 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 10078860 · 2004-06-26 (June 26, 2004)
THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR DOESN'T OPERATE IN HIGH HUMIDITY UNLESS I UNPLUG AND REPLUG THE CONNECTION AT THE MOTOR UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS AN 02 GMC SAFARI CARGO VAN WITH 48K MI. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089319 · 2004-09-21 (September 21, 2004)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BOUNCES UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SWITCH TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULAR HAD SHORTENED OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 23,544 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089319 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V099000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2005-03-14 (March 14, 2005)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE CONTACTS AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION OF THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE REPAIR WOULD BE USED IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IS STILL MOVABLE. IF A VEHICLE HAS A HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON THAT IS NOT MOVABLE (FROZEN), THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA campaign record ↗