MYRModel Year Report

1988 GMC Safari

○ Not enough data
1988 GMC Safari
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:38.100Z

Only 7 complaints 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 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
7

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 11 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 7 1989: 18 complaints 1990: 35 complaints 1991: 40 complaints 1991 1992: 60 complaints 1993: 61 complaints 1994: 125 complaints 1994 1995: 195 complaints 1996: 139 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1997 1998: 89 complaints 1999: 61 complaints 2000: 68 complaints 2000 2001: 39 complaints 2002: 25 complaints 2003: 18 complaints 2003 2004: 5 complaints 2005: 4 complaints
1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 11 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 7 1989: 18 complaints 1990: 35 complaints 1991: 40 complaints 1991 1992: 60 complaints 1993: 61 complaints 1993 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 195 complaints 1995 1996: 139 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1997 1998: 89 complaints 1999: 61 complaints 1999 2000: 68 complaints 2001: 39 complaints 2001 2002: 25 complaints 2003: 18 complaints 2003 2004: 5 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2005
1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 11 complaints 1987 1988: 7 complaints 1988 7 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 35 complaints 1990 1991: 40 complaints 1991 1992: 60 complaints 1992 1993: 61 complaints 1993 1994: 125 complaints 1994 1995: 195 complaints 1995 1996: 139 complaints 1996 1997: 135 complaints 1997 1998: 89 complaints 1998 1999: 61 complaints 1999 2000: 68 complaints 2000 2001: 39 complaints 2001 2002: 25 complaints 2002 2003: 18 complaints 2003 2004: 5 complaints 2004 2005: 4 complaints 2005

1988: 7 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19820
19830
19840
19851
19867
198711
19887
198918
199035
199140
199260
199361
1994125
1995195
1996139
1997135
199889
199961
200068
200139
200225
200318
20045
20054

Known problem areas

Only 7 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Steering

2 of 7 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.

Show complaint excerpts

The bolts on the power steering box snapped off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-05

Seat belts

2 of 7 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing front.

Show complaint excerpts

The front seat belts were inoperative.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-05

Structure

1 of 7 total reports mentions: structure.

Show complaint excerpts

The door locks in the rear doors broke, unable to open doors from inside. Tt bolts snap off from the motor the ones holding the power steering box. The belt comes off because the bracket breakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-02

Also filed under Latches/locks/linkages

Seats

1 of 7 total reports mentions: seats, most commonly citing power adjust.

Latches/locks/linkages

1 of 7 total reports mentions: latches/locks/linkages, most commonly citing latch.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1988-09-12Engineering analysisClosed 1989-10-31 Rear a/c unit
  2. I
    1989-03-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-19 Rear axle seal failure
  3. I
    1989-12-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-04-16 Power steering failure
  4. I
    1990-02-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-29 Spare tire carrier failure
  5. I
    1990-04-16Engineering analysisClosed 1991-04-30 Power steering failure
  6. I
    1992-06-24Engineering analysisClosed 1993-11-19 Seat back bolt breakage
  7. R
    1993-11-08Service brakes, hydraulic93V119000 Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.

    Remedy: Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1994-01-20Seats93V187000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 GMC Safari — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V119000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 93V187000 · Seats
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 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 1988 GMC Safari?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 GMC Safari have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.