GMC

Safari

Vans · model years 1985 to 2005

Includes Safari 2WD (cargo), Safari 2WD (passenger), Safari 2WD Conversion (cargo) and 3 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 131 Safari trims All GMC cars

The verdict

Best year: 2005. complaints: 4, below this model's typical 60; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 1995. complaints: 195, about 4.9x this model's typical 40; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the GMC Safari
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1985	20Gas	17.5	$3,825	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	12Gas	19	$3,525	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	7Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	6Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	6Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	6Gas	17	$3,650	4	35	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 37%, STRUCTURE 15%, SEAT BELTS 10%
complaints: 35, below this model's typical 60 recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 45 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	4Gas	16.5	$3,775	3	39	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 29%, POWER TRAIN 13%, SEAT BELTS 7%
complaints: 39, below this model's typical 40 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 33 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	8Gas	16	$3,900	1	59	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 41%, SUSPENSION 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 59, below this model's typical 80 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 66 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	6Gas	16.5	$4,675	0	61	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 41%, SUSPENSION 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 61, above this model's typical 60 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	6Gas	16	$4,675	1	119	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 27%, VISIBILITY 22%, SUSPENSION 11%
complaints: 119, about 2x this model's typical 60 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 26 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	4Gas	16	$4,800	3	195	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23%, VISIBILITY 16%, SUSPENSION 14%
complaints: 195, about 4.9x this model's typical 40 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	4Gas	16	$3,900	4	139	VISIBILITY 18%, SUSPENSION 15%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%
complaints: 139, about 3.5x this model's typical 40 recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	4Gas	16	$3,900	4	135	VISIBILITY 16%, POWER TRAIN 11%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 135, about 3.4x this model's typical 40 recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	4Gas	16	$3,900	3	89	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 11%, VISIBILITY 9%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 89, about 2.2x this model's typical 40 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	4Gas	16	$3,900	1	61	POWER TRAIN 23%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 22%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%
complaints: 61, about 1.5x this model's typical 40 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	4Gas	16	$3,900	0	68	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 28%, STRUCTURE 7%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%
complaints: 68, about 1.7x this model's typical 40 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	4Gas	16	$3,900	1	39	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 26%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8%
complaints: 39, below this model's typical 40 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 56 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	4Gas	15.5	$4,025	1	25	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 31%, SUSPENSION 11%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 25, below this model's typical 40 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	6Gas	15	$4,150	1	18	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 26%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 18, below this model's typical 60 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 76 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	6Gas	15	$4,150	0	5	SUSPENSION 29%, EQUIPMENT 14%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14%
complaints: 5, below this model's typical 60 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 94 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	6Gas	15.5	$4,025	0	4	STEERING 25%, STRUCTURE 25%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%
complaints: 4, below this model's typical 60 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 94 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1985: 17.5 to 2005: 15.5

Owner complaints1990: 35 to 2005: 4

How we score each year

We compare each year of the GMC Safari to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.