MYRModel Year Report

1998 GMC Safari

◆ Worse than typical
1998 GMC Safari
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:59.969Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
89
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

17% 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 1998: 89 complaints 1998 89 1999: 61 complaints 2000: 68 complaints 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 1998: 89 complaints 1998 89 1999: 61 complaints 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 1998: 89 complaints 1998 89 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

1998: 89 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.

Service brakes

17% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Excessive corrosion of hydraulic brake lines. Brake lines so corroded that they are cracking and splitting leaking fluid and necessitating expensive repairs. Corrosion also noted on fuel lines, and vehicle undercarriage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-04

Visibility

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

Electrical system

11% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE

Power train

9% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

I had the automatic transmission on this vehicle repaired on 3 different occasions in the 3 years I have owned it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-07

Vehicle speed control

9% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 89 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. R
    2003-04-24Visibility03V093000 Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on April 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. 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 →

  6. 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

1998 GMC Safari — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V009000 · Child seat
  • Recall 01V123000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V093000 · 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 1998 GMC Safari reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 GMC Safari is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 GMC Safari?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Safari have?
5 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.