Model year record

2001 GMC Safari recalls & problems

The 2001 GMC Safari has 3 safety recalls and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (15 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints39filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths56 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Exterior lightingMar 14, 2005

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 05V09900077,055 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

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

2001 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 (Passenger)

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 AWD (cargo)

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Safari AWD (Passenger)

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/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; Power assist	15	0	0	0	62,325 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Wiring › Interior/under dash	9	0	2	0	82,900 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Hazard flashing warning lights	5	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist system	4	0	0	0	40,940 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	4	0	0	0	31,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	3	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesTailgate › Latch; Doors › Latch	3	0	0	0	47,145 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	2	0	0	1	—
StructureBody › Bumpers; Body › Door	2	0	0	0	—
Interior lighting	2	0	0	0	—
Air bags	1	1	0	55	—
Service brakes, airAntilock › Wheel speed sensor	1	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. TIME IN BETWEEN ERRANDS 2 HOURS. OUTSIDE TEMP 95. HAD TO WAIT 15 - 30 MINUTES IN HOT VEHICLE TRYING TO START VEHICLE EVERY 20-30 SECONDS. PROBLEM WITH PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM AS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. CHECKED WITH PERSONAL OBD II & CAN SCAN TOOL AND FOUND NO DTC'S. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE CONSTANT AND OCCUPANT SAFETY IS A MAJOR CONCERN. *TR
Jul 31, 2014 · 84,300 miles
Electrical system
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. BRAKE & ABS INDICATOR LIT. WAIT 15- 30 MINUTES AND VEHICLE MAY RESTART. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTED: PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM INTERMITTENT FAILURE. *TR
Jul 2, 2014 · 84,300 miles
Electrical system
AFTER FUELING, COULD NOT RESTART VEHICLE. DASH LIGHTS. HAD TO WAIT 15 - 30 MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE START VEHICLE. BATTERY 4 MONTHS OLD, INTERMITTENT ONGOING PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH DISCOVERED VIA WEB SEARCH LIST PROBLEM WITH "IGNITION PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM". THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT MY LOCAL GM DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS OR FIX. ESTIMATED CONSUMER REPAIR COST OVER $1000,00. *TR
Jul 29, 2014 · 84,300 miles
Electrical system
AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNTIL THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVER IS MOVED. ALL POWER IS UP, TURN KEY AND NO RESPONSE. DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVE SHIFT LEVER FROM P TO D3 MAY CAUSE STARTER TO WORK. TOLD BY AAA DRIVER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
May 19, 2014 · 81,500 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring
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
Aug 12, 2011 · 84,300 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, BACKFIRES, AND FAILS TO START WHEN COLD. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 03-06-04-041 WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF WHEN THE VEHICLE DID START, IT WOULD RUN ROUGH AND THEN STALL. UPDATED
Aug 26, 2005 · 50,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Jun 5, 2006 · 69,000 miles
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES PART WAY DOWN, WILL NOT GO OUT - INTERMITTENT PROBLEM INCREASED TO PERMANENT PROBLEM. NOW GOES DOWN MAYBE 1/2 INCH, ONLY GOES UP 1/32 INCH AT A TIME. HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, NEEDS REPAIR AGAIN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 6/03, NOT LONG AFTER THAT, PROBLEM SURFACED IN INCREASING REGULARITY. WHEN I HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED BY DEALER IN 1/04, I WAS TOLD THIS HAD BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. ITEMS REPAIRED / REPLACED, WERE: 1314WSC95 - ELECTRICAL MISC. PO45391 - MOTOR PO45386 - ACTUATOR SEVERAL RIVETS. THE REPAIR FACILITY DESCRIBED THE WINDOW PROBLEM AS "BINDING", AND A ALSO FOUND THAT THE DOOR LOCK WAS NOT ACTIVATING PROPERLY DUE TO A DOOR LOCK MECHANISM PROBLEM…
Mar 1, 2006 · 84,537 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

LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATIONClosedLed to recall 05V099000
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…
PE04072 · opened Oct 19, 2004 · closed Mar 21, 2005