Model year record

2017 GMC Savana recalls & problems

The 2017 GMC Savana has 6 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (3 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints7filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemApr 6, 2023

Wiring

Recall 23V247000150,830 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

EquipmentJun 11, 2019

Equipment

Recall 19V428000325 vehicles

Problem: Unicell Body Company Inc. (Unicell) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna, 2018-2019 Hino 155, Ford Econoline and Transit and Isuzu NPR, and 2018 Ram ProMaster-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Unicell will work with ASA Electronics to notify owners and offer a remedy, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service 1-800-384-4400 or Unicell at 1-716-853-8628.

VisibilityMay 23, 2019

Glass, side/rear

Recall 19V3870001,159 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: Tempered glass increases the risk of injury in the event of a side impact or rollover crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tempered glass windows with laminated glass windows, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192218960.

Electrical systemSep 21, 2018

Electrical system

Recall 18V65500030,448 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a single, manual, rear climate control module (CCM). If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.
Risk: If the CCM overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire in the vehicle's headliner.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the electrical insulation from a wiring connector within the CCM to remove the fire risk, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18299.

VisibilityMay 3, 2018

Power window devices and controls

Recall 18V295000207,483 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with power windows. Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.
Risk: High electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side window switch, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18155.

EquipmentApr 26, 2018

Equipment

Recall 18V2670006,154 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

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

2017 GMC Savana Cargo G23405 VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2017 GMC Savana Cargo G23705 VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2017 GMC Savana Cargo G33405 VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2017 GMC Savana Cargo G33705 VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2017 GMC Savana Passenger 2500 VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	29.2%

2017 GMC Savana Passenger 3500 12 PASS VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	29.2%

2017 GMC Savana Passenger 3500 15 PASS VAN RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	27.9%

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

Savana 2500 2WD (Passenger)

13mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Savana 3500 2WD (Passenger)

12mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,600/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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power train	3	0	0	—
Air bags	2	1	1	—
StructureBody	1	0	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	—
Suspension	1	0	0	—
Wheels	1	0	0	—
Steering	1	0	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
I was involved in a company car wreck on July 23 2026 I got hurt the airbags didn't deploy at all
Jul 23, 2026
Power train
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Savana. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
May 1, 2023 · 75,000 miles
Service brakes
The ABS Control Unit is faulty for the second time on this vehicle, with only 28,174 miles on it. The first time was 11/09/20 at 24,156 miles.
Dec 5, 2022
Air bags
My airbag light will come on randomly . I had it scanned and its coming up as a DTC .
Jun 16, 2022
Steering
Have taken it to the GMC dealership over seven times with same issue. They refuse to fix problem due to not being able to replicate it. Losing steering and braking issue is getting worse. This is a LARGE HEAVY TRUCK and GM refuses to help fix. This is very disturbing. Has to be something in the drive train.
Jul 13, 2021
Seat belts
I HAVE PURCHASED A CONVERSION VAN THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY AN AFTERMARKET UPFITTER BUT SOLD AS NEW ON A FRANCHISED GMC DEALERSHIP LOT. THE VAN CARRIES TWO PLACARDS WITH CONFLICTING GVWR INFORMATION. THESE VANS ARE BEING MODIFIED IN MASS QUANTITIES. THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SOFTEN THE RIDE BUT ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A 3/4 TON VAN. THE TIRES THAT ARE BEING INSTALLED ON THESE VANS FOR VANITY REASONS ARE NOT OF THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATING FOR A 3/4 TON VAN. WE HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TIRES FAILING AND THE REAR SPRINGS BENDING. THE CONVERSION COMPANY, THE GMC DEALER, NOR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WISH TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. YET THESE VANS CONTINUE TO BE SOLD IN…
Aug 12, 2019 · 24,000 miles
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOLIDAY AUTOMOTIVE (321 N ROLLING MEADOWS DR., FOND DU LAC, WI 54937, (866) 875-3224) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Dec 28, 2017 · 3,000 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

6L90 Transmission FailureClosed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) complaint related to four school buses built on General Motors (GM) van chassis. The VOQ alleged transmission failure resulting in a loss of all forward gear. In ODI's pre-investigative discussions with GM, ODI learned that valve body separator plates had been machined out of tolerance during production periods between October 2016 to April 2017 and February 2021 to April 2021. This out of tolerance machining may create excessive wear to the valve body check balls, possibly resulting in an inability to engage drive or reverse. The potential loss of drivability only begins when shifting from a park or neutral transmission selection and does not occur during a functional drive cycle. The average failure mileage of vehicles which experienced this condition…
PE23016 · opened Sep 27, 2023 · closed Jan 10, 2025