Model year record

1994 GMC Safari recalls & problems

The 1994 GMC Safari has 2 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (39 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints119filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 18, 2006

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 06E0410007,800 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PROPER TORQUE.
Risk: A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.

EquipmentMay 9, 1994

Other › Labels

Recall 94V0870002,255 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: THE MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATION LABEL AND/OR THE DRIVER AIR BAG ADVISORY LABEL MAY BE MISSING FROM THE VEHICLES, WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR 567.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OWNERS OF VEHICLE WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THE LOAD CAPACITY OF THE VANS, THE VAN BUILD DATE, AND WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ASSURANCE THAT THE VANS MEET THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS.
Fix: THE LABELS WILL BE FURNISHED TO OWNER'S FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 GMC Safari

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Safari 2WD (cargo)

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Safari 2WD (cargo)

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

Safari AWD (cargo)

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Safari 2WD (passenger)

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Safari 2WD (passenger)

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Safari AWD (passenger)

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	39	7	0	6	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	30	0	0	0	89,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Torsion bar; Front	15	1	0	0	148,100 mi
Air bagsFrontal	9	8	0	7	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Wiring	8	0	2	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve); Engine	6	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	6	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Linkages	5	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Hood	4	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust	4	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Delivery › Fuel pump	4	0	0	0	—
Power trainAxle assembly › Axle shaft; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	4	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)Crash
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE FUELING THE 1994 GMC SAFARI (15 WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE,, RESULTING IN STRIKING THE VEHICLE BEHIND IT. THE CONTACT REENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED THE LOOSE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND MOVED THE VEHICLE FORWARD TO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE W2ASA DRIVABLE, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOOSE. *AK
Jan 30, 2007 · 155,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
DRIVING A 1994 GMC SAFARI AWD AND AT A STOP HAD THE 41" TORSION BAR SNAPPED. SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT FROM SALVAGE YARDS BUT THEY HAVE STOPPED SELLING THEM DUE TO LIABILITY REASONS, NEED TO INSTALL ADJUSTMENT EQUIPMENT SOLD BY GM WITH A COST OF $800. *NM
Aug 1, 2005 · 165,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
WHEN DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THERE WERE NUMEROUS RECALLS ON OTHER YEAR AND MAKES OF THE SAFARI VANS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB
May 1, 1998 · 69,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
THE VAN WAS GOING DOWN THE I25 NORTH OF DENVER WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR SNAPPED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY RACE CARS AND BRINING THE VAN TO A STOP WAS THE HARDEST I HAVE EVER DONE. BY DRIVING SKILLS, LUCK AND THE GOOD LORD I AM HERE TODAY TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. DOES GENERAL MOTORS NEED TO WAIT FOR A FAMILY TO DIE BEFORE THEY WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE. I DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I WENT TO GET PARTS AND THAT IS WHEN I FIND THAT GM KNOWS THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE TORSION BARS AND SUPERSEDES THE PART NUMBERS TO SHORTER (FROM 40" TO 36" BARS) THESE BARS ARE REDESIGNED AND MUST BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. I HAVE THE VAN TORN DOWN NOW WITH THE FAILED PART AND IT UPSETS ME ENOUGH THAT I AM GOING TO…
Sep 19, 2004 · 148,100 miles
Power train
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WE HAD A PROBLEM IN A MALL PARKING LOT WHEREIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH BOARD, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, RADIO) FAILED AT THE VERY SAME TIME AS THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AFTER WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. IT HAPPENED ONLY TWO OTHER TIMES. RECENTLY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT IS NOT FIXED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT IS A WIRING PROBLEM, BUT TO DATE, WE HAVE NOT FOUND ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND THEY ALL WANT TO REPLACE OUR TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS ODD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME,…
Oct 15, 2003 · 123,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON A TRIP, DURING TRAVEL IN A RAINSTORM. ON ONE OCCASION, I PULLED OVER AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT SIDE RUNNING BOARD DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE FACTORY. *LA
Apr 8, 2003 · 89,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
RECALL COMPLAINT NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V159/GM RECALL NO. 03023.THE (ABOVE) RECALL IS CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM THAT FAILS DUE TO A BAD CIRCUIT BOARD/MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE MANY VEHICLES INVOLVED INCLUDING 1994 VEHICLES, BUT FOR THE GMC SAFARI ONLY 1995-1997 MODELS ARE LISTED. MY 1994 GMC SAFARI EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE MODE AS THE OTHER 1994 VEHICLES LISTED AND THE 1995-19997 SAFARI MODELS. THE SERVICE REPAIR RECEIPT INDICATES THE FAILURE MODE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE RECALL NOTICE DESCRIPTION. I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO NON-OPERATION OF MY WIPER SYSTEM AT A COST OF $341.75. WHEN THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS FAILURE MODE WAS ANNOUNCED IT DID NOT INCLUDE THE…
Jul 5, 1999 · 58,710 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH ITS WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM. *SCC *JB
Jul 8, 2003 · 74,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

WINDSHIELD WIPERClosed
RQ99003 · opened Mar 8, 1999 · closed May 31, 2002