1985 GMC Safari

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1985 GMC Safari
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:17:35.767Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1985: 1 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1982	0
1983	0
1984	0
1985	1
1986	7
1987	11
1988	7
1989	18
1990	35
1991	39
1992	59
1993	61
1994	119
1995	195
1996	139
1997	135
1998	89
1999	61
2000	68
2001	39
2002	25
2003	18
2004	5
2005	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 of 1 total report mentions: latches/locks/linkages.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

OWNER STATES UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CAUSE HAS BEEN UNDETERMINED, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOOD LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE IS MADE HE HAD A HARD TIME IN...

NHTSA ODI report, 19970314

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 of 1 total report mentions: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 19970314

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19860425 — steering

A PART OF THE STEERING GEAR HOUSING WHICH ATTACHES TO THE FRAME MAY BREAK.

Remedy: REPLACE BROKEN OR CRACKED STEERING GEAR OR INSTALL A BRACE IF STEERING GEAR IS NOT BROKEN OR CRACKED.

Campaign 85V160000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19860501 — PE (closed 19870120)

INADEQUATE REAR BRAKES

I 19870121 — EA (closed 19880816)

REAR BRAKES

I 19890323 — PE (closed 19890919)

REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE

I 19900205 — PE (closed 19900629)

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

I 19920624 — EA (closed 19931119)

SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE

R 19940120 — seats

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

Campaign 93V187000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

Remedy: 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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 GMC Safari — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (1 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (1 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 85V160000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 93V187000 (seats) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 2001 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ■ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 GMC Safari reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 GMC Safari?

The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 GMC Safari have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.