NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
25 reports100,000 miles · Nov 15, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOWER BACK PAIN, A BRUISED TOE, A FOREHEAD GASH, AND DAMAGE TO THE RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOWER BACK PAIN, A BRUISED TOE, A FOREHEAD GASH, AND DAMAGE TO THE RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TT UPDATED 8/21/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11046293
92,000 miles · Oct 4, 2013
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AND FAILED, NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546772
76,306 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS O.K. AND THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY CHA…
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MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS O.K. AND THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY CHARGED. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH AND A BRAKE LINING WAS LEAKING. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH LININGS AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND FILL WITH FRESH FLUID. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE PARTS CAME AND THE TECH WAS TO INSTALL THE LININGS THAT THE FLUID WAS SMOKING AND THE TECH ALMOST BURNED HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THREE HOURS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE SERVICE REP COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT GM TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE POSITIVE CABLE FOR GROUNDING. THEY FOUND IT WAS GROUNDING ON THE CENTER LINK OF THE STEERING. THE WORK ORDER SAID THEY RE-ROUTED THE CABLE. I WAS TOLD BY A GM REP IN ARGENTINA THAT GM FELT THAT AFTER THE TIME AND MILEAGE THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I TOLD HIM THAT IF THE CABLE HAD BEEN PROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED REGARDLESS OF THE TIME AND/OR MILES. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE FLUID HAD NOT LEAKED OUT OR BOILED TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. I FEEL IT COST ME ALL MOST $700. AT THIS POINT THAT WAS DO TO THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE GM REP SAID I COULD GO TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU THAT HE COULD DO NOTHING. CAN YOU HELP OR TELL ME WHERE I CAN GO FOR HELP? THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273158
28,530 miles · Apr 17, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 5 OR 6 MPH, IT TOOK 40-50 FEET BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS AND IDLER ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. GMC DENIED HIM REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THEY DID …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 5 OR 6 MPH, IT TOOK 40-50 FEET BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS AND IDLER ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. GMC DENIED HIM REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE A AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,550 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,530. UPDATED 5/5/08 *CN UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10224784
28,000 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR REQUIRED THEM TO DISMANTLE SOME OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS TO BETTER ACCESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR REQUIRED THEM TO DISMANTLE SOME OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS TO BETTER ACCESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REQUESTING INFORMATION ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V099000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10219097
22,000 miles · May 11, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES SQUEAKED AND SHE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE PADS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 40,000 MILES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES SQUEAKED AND SHE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE PADS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 40,000 MILES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #10190480
39,000 miles · Mar 25, 2006
Power Train
HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 39,000 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 131,000 MILES. NOW IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YET TO BE DETERMINED AT 149,000 MILES. JUDGING FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT THAT IS COSTING THE CONSUMER A BUNDLE OF MONEY. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT OVER $3000 TO REPAIR THE…
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HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 39,000 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 131,000 MILES. NOW IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YET TO BE DETERMINED AT 149,000 MILES. JUDGING FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT THAT IS COSTING THE CONSUMER A BUNDLE OF MONEY. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT OVER $3000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM NOW WAITING TO HEAR HOW MUCH MORE I WILL HAVE TO SPEND. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153709
43,514 miles · Jan 24, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, BUT COULD BE ABS SENSORS RUSTED OR HAD DIRT BUILD UP. THE DEALER CLEANED ABS SENSORS AND SPRAYED A RUST INHIBITOR ON SENSORS AND HUBS , AND SAID THEY HOPED THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF PROBL…
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WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, BUT COULD BE ABS SENSORS RUSTED OR HAD DIRT BUILD UP. THE DEALER CLEANED ABS SENSORS AND SPRAYED A RUST INHIBITOR ON SENSORS AND HUBS , AND SAID THEY HOPED THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF PROBLEM PERSISTS TO COME BACK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148491
43,500 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS VERY NEARLY BROADSIDED WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A SECONDARY ROAD WITH A STATE HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY BRAKE WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A REC…
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I WAS VERY NEARLY BROADSIDED WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A SECONDARY ROAD WITH A STATE HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY BRAKE WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT IT IS LIMITED TO SELECTED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. I LIVE IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK IN UPSTATE NY WHERE TOWNS USE DIRT ONLY ON ITS ROADS. I CAN'T IMAGINE A WORST SITUATION FOR THIS CONDITION TO OCCUR THAN THE COMBINATION OF SALT AND DIRT (LIKE DC I SUPPOSE). HOW MANY CRASHES OR FATALITIES ARE REQUIRED IN EACH STATE ON KNOWN PROBLEMS BEFORE RECALLS ARE EXPANDED? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147236
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 GMC SAFARI BRAKES WOULD NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT EACH TIME THEY CLAIMED THAT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF THE RECALL ON SOME GMC VE…
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2002 GMC SAFARI BRAKES WOULD NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT EACH TIME THEY CLAIMED THAT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF THE RECALL ON SOME GMC VEHICLE'S BUT SOON FOUND OUT THE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. * NM
NHTSA ODI #10145325