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2001 GMC Safari

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 GMC Safari do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

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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

24 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 4 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 reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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84,300 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. THE SIERRA VAN USES THE SAME COMPONENTS AS THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED BY 05V379000 ON 8/3/05. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WITH DIRTY SPEED SENSORS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419790

69,000 miles · Jul 24, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT AT A SPEED OF LOWER THAN 8 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNAL TO INDICATE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED FILING A COMPLAINT WIT…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT AT A SPEED OF LOWER THAN 8 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNAL TO INDICATE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED YET BY THE CONTACT.

NHTSA ODI #10163305

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

DT: 2001 GM SAFARI. THE CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND VEHICLE COULD SLIDE INTO THE INTERSECTION. WIFE WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CONSUMER WENT TO DIFFERENT DEALERS, THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT MAY BE THAT THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPACKED. . THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TOOK TO LOCAL …

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DT: 2001 GM SAFARI. THE CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND VEHICLE COULD SLIDE INTO THE INTERSECTION. WIFE WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CONSUMER WENT TO DIFFERENT DEALERS, THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT MAY BE THAT THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPACKED. . THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TOOK TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THE VEHICLE HAD 58,000 MILES. BRAKE FAILURE STARTED WITHIN MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. BRAKES BECAME WORSE. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT KEEP FRONT TIRES FROM WEARING OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10137882

49,500 miles · May 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2001 GMC SAFARI VAN.APPROX 49000 MILES.I FIRST EXPIERENCED MY ANTILOC BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATING WHEN NOT NEEDED AT SLOW SPEEDS.THINKING THIS WAS A LITTLE ODD AND I THOUGHT I WOULD NEED TO GET IT TO ACT UP MORE IN ORDER TO PROPERLY EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY SERVICE PERSONEL.AND I THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR AS EVEN THO THE …

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I HAVE A 2001 GMC SAFARI VAN.APPROX 49000 MILES.I FIRST EXPIERENCED MY ANTILOC BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATING WHEN NOT NEEDED AT SLOW SPEEDS.THINKING THIS WAS A LITTLE ODD AND I THOUGHT I WOULD NEED TO GET IT TO ACT UP MORE IN ORDER TO PROPERLY EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY SERVICE PERSONEL.AND I THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR AS EVEN THO THE ANTILOC SYSTEM ACTIVATED THE BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK FINE.UNTILL ONE DAY WHEN ALL I HEARD WAS THE NOISE ACCUSTOMED WITH THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.AFTER PUSHING AS HARD AS I HAVE EVER PUSHED ON A BRAKE PEDAL THE VAN STOPPED. BEING AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE I GOT IT INTO MY SERVICE DEPT.WHO REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS.

NHTSA ODI #10120151

71,384 miles · Feb 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT TWO BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER HAVE RUB THROUGH ONE ANOTHER. *JB *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109801

9,000 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE OWNER THEY ADDED 3 OUNCES OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE UNTIL THE OWNER TRIED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO BRAKES, AGAIN. BRAKE FLUID WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. PROV…

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THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE OWNER THEY ADDED 3 OUNCES OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE UNTIL THE OWNER TRIED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO BRAKES, AGAIN. BRAKE FLUID WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10107440

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE'S ABS MALFUNCTIONED. *NM THE ABS WOULD RELEASE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED IN A NORMAL MANNER IF THE CONSUMER HIT A BUMP. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED HE BUMPED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, BUT DID NOT STATE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10111135

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE WINDOWS RATTLED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT WAS REPLACED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022326

31,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureVisibility

BRAKES FAULTY. BRAND NEW PADS INSTALLED LAST WEEK ALL AROUND ADJUSTED AND DEALER CLAIMS ALL IS WELL BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT TAKES AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF FORCE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL TO STOP THIS VEHICLE, NOTICED AT 35K. DANGEROUS AND NOT EASY TO GET USED TO. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD LEAKS ON THE TOP DRIVERS SIDE AND THE RE…

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BRAKES FAULTY. BRAND NEW PADS INSTALLED LAST WEEK ALL AROUND ADJUSTED AND DEALER CLAIMS ALL IS WELL BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT TAKES AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF FORCE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL TO STOP THIS VEHICLE, NOTICED AT 35K. DANGEROUS AND NOT EASY TO GET USED TO. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD LEAKS ON THE TOP DRIVERS SIDE AND THE REAR RIGHT DOOR HANDLE IS FAILING ON BACK DUTCH DOORS NOW AT 65K. ALSO, BOTH POWER DOOR ACTUATORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED COMPLETELY AT 34K. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023658

55,650 miles · Feb 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO RIGHT-FRONT BRAKE LINE RUBBED ON THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE UNTIL THE BRAKE LINE LEAKED FLUID OUT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD.

NHTSA ODI #10005342

Official recalls

1

05V099000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Mar 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 & remedy

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.

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

PE04072 · Loss Of Brake Lamp Illumination

Opened Oct 19, 2004 · Closed Mar 21, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 9, 2005, GM STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI VEHICLES; SPECIFICALLY, ALL MY 2001 VEHICLES AND EARLY MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH AND AUGUST 2001.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-099 FOR DETAILS.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS.THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE MATERIAL AND LUBRICATION FOR THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR THAT RESULT IN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE HAZARD SWITCH AND STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IN OPEN (NO CONTACT) CONDITION.DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH CONTACTOR.IF A VEHICLE HAS A STUCK HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON, DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.