Model year record

1997 GMC Savana recalls & problems

The 1997 GMC Savana has 2 safety recalls and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (13 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints46filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, gasolineApr 17, 2000

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V110000109,239 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED EVAPORATIVE EMISSION PIPE ASSEMBLY.

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.

Fuel economy

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/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 › Master cylinder	13	2	0	2	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body › Door	7	0	0	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	7	0	2	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system	5	0	1	0	—
TiresTread/belt	5	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	4	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid	4	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	4	0	0	0	—
Air bagsSide/window; Frontal	3	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Power adjust	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	2	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring	2	0	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine coolingFire
1997 GMC SAVANA ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENTS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS EARLIER IN THE DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0256-89) *JB UPDATED02/24/10 *BF
Jun 17, 2008
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
PLASTIC PRESSURE FUEL LINE ON MY GMC 1997 SAVANNAH G150 DEVELOPED A PUNCTURE SPRAYING GASOLINE NEAR EXHAUST PIPE HAD TO REPLACE SEND DEFECTIVE LINE TO GM THEY SAID THEY HAD NO WAY TO TEST IT. *JB
Feb 3, 2005 · 33,000 miles
Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. (NAR) *PH *CB
Aug 1, 2001
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THEN, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AN DETERMINED THAT SENSOR CONTROL MODULE HAD A SHORT DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE CARPET.*AK
Mar 1, 2004 · 111,480 miles
Air bags › Frontal
AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH NOBODY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *LA *JB
Feb 24, 2004
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM *PH *NLM
Sep 20, 2003 · 30,463 miles
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
SIDE CARGO DOORS PROGRESSIVELY HARDER TO OPEN UNTIL REAR UPPER HINGE SNAPPED. DOOR LEFT HANGING, VERY DANGEROUS. NOT RUSTED OR ABUSED. *NLM
May 15, 2003 · 570,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WITH 69,000 MILES ON IT.
Jan 30, 2003 · 69,707 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.