MYRModel Year Report

1997 GMC Safari

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 GMC Safari
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:51.332Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
135
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 11 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 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 135 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 1987 1988: 7 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 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 135 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 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 135 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

1997: 135 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Visibility

24% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

Power train

16% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and cooling unit and lines.

FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

Service brakes

13% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

11% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing pump and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 135 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-04-28Seat belts97V057000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1999-01-21Child seat99V009000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belts on the child seats, and if necessary, replace the child seat.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2001-06-27Seat belts01V123000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  6. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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

1997 GMC Safari — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V057000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 99V009000 · Child seat
  • Recall 01V123000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • 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 1997 GMC Safari reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 GMC Safari is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Safari?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Safari have?
6 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.