I LOVE THIS VAN BUT IM BEGINNING TO THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DOOR HANDLES. WHEN I LEAST EXPECT IT THE HANDLES WILL JUST BREAK OFF IN MY HAND. I HAVE REPLACED EACH ONE AT LEAST TWICE. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF. *TR
1996 GMC Safari (Gmc)
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Safari (gmc) years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
3 reportsTL *- THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 1996 GMC SAFARI VAN. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND WHEN HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. HIS FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE VEHICLES WERE BADLY …
Read full complaint
TL *- THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 1996 GMC SAFARI VAN. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND WHEN HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. HIS FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE VEHICLES WERE BADLY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR, BUT HE FELT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *AK UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A RESIDENCE WHERE A DEALER REPRESENTATIVE CAME FOR AN INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE TORSION BAR FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A RESIDENCE WHERE A DEALER REPRESENTATIVE CAME FOR AN INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE TORSION BAR FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration