1996 GMC Safari
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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
14% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN BRAKES PRESSED ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHICH CAUSES A DELAYED STOP-TIME OF ABOUT 3 SECONDS. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20040205
OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, SHE STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, SHE ALSO NOTES THAT HER BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970212
WHILE DRIVING ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE ABS BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19961112
9% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: equipment — 10 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: visibility — 8 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
Campaign 97V057000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLU
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
Campaign 99V009000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE R
Campaign 01V123000 — check if this car was fixed
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND D
Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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
1996 GMC Safari — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V057000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V009000 (child seat) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V123000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 GMC Safari reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 GMC Safari is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Safari?
The most-reported component is suspension:front:springs:torsion bar, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Safari have?
6 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.