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1989 GMC Safari

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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 18 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.

  • Steering. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

18 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

THE BRACKETS ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVE BROKEN 3+ TIMES AND HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED, PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, BRACKETS, FLUID, AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIM…

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THE BRACKETS ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAVE BROKEN 3+ TIMES AND HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED, PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, BRACKETS, FLUID, AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST WEEK. 08/18/2011 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420867

66,000 miles · May 10, 2004
Visibility

RANDOM FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. VERY SPOOKY WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT. WHEN QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM. BUT THEY KNEW JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY HAVE A FIX. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10072366

168,520 miles · Apr 4, 2003
Structure

FRONT VAN CAPTAINS CHAIR FRAME AND TRACK, HAS HAD TO BE REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT LIFTS UP, DOES NOT STAY SECURED TO TRACK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10013978

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Seats

THE ALUMINUM OR SIMILAR MATERIAL BRACKET WHICH CONNECTS THE ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOOR GUIDES IS "RIPPED" --- NOT COMPLETELY BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE SEAT INSECURE AND DEFINITELY UNSAFE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #721472

Mileage unknown · May 22, 1999
Steering

WITHOUT WARNING THE TIE ROD RIPPED ITSELF OUT OF THE FRAME. IF THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEED, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. ONE BODY SHOP OWNER SAID THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #706774

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

ON GOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVEN WHEN I HAD A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN BY MILES CHEV, MILLINGTON,TN IN JULY 97 AT 146,737 MILES ,NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT ANY ENGINE FIRES...MOST MECHANICS SAID IT WAS A "MINOR" ELECTRIAL PROBLEM...THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IT NEEDED OIL, AND PERIODICA…

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ON GOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT EVEN WHEN I HAD A REBUILT ENGINE PUT IN BY MILES CHEV, MILLINGTON,TN IN JULY 97 AT 146,737 MILES ,NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT ANY ENGINE FIRES...MOST MECHANICS SAID IT WAS A "MINOR" ELECTRIAL PROBLEM...THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON WHEN IT NEEDED OIL, AND PERIODICALLY THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGANCY BRAKE HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED AND THE LEVER PULLED TO DOUBLE CHECK FOR RELEASE. NO OTHER WARNINGS OF POSSIBLE FIRE...NO SMOKE OR ODORS THAT NIGHT, JUST DROVE HOME ABOUT 20 MILES IN THE RAIN, PARKED IN MY DRIVE AND ABOUT 3.5HRS LATER A MAN WALKING BY SAW IT BURNING AND HAD PEOPLE CALL 911. TUNE UP & OIL CHG. @187,314M,12/17/98. *AK

NHTSA ODI #702531

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T ADJUST, IT'S LOOSE. IT DOES NOT HOLD. THIS DEFECT COMPLIES WITH RECALL 98V150000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK THE BOLT HOLDING THE ENGINE BRACKET BROKE OFF. *YH

NHTSA ODI #830926

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1998
Seat BeltsSteering

REAR SEAT BELT FAILED UNDER HARD BRAKING. ALSO, POWER STEERING PUMP REAR BRACKET MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ODI #781443

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 1997
Seat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM SEAT BECAUSE THE LAP BELT DID NOT HOLD. FURTHERMORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING OVER 55 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812141

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1997
Power TrainInjury

GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #808228

Official recalls

3

93V187000 · Seats

Nov 16, 1993

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

93V119000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Aug 2, 1993

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

91V164000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Sep 20, 1991

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

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

1

EA92022 · Seat Back Bolt Breakage

Opened Jun 24, 1992 · Closed Nov 19, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

There is no summary currently available