1998 GMC Safari

◆ Worse than typical

1998 GMC Safari
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:17:31.694Z

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 PER YEAR

1998: 89 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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file.

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, 20030407

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 4 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 89

R 19990121 — child seat

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

R 20010627 — seat belts

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

R 20030424 — visibility

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 A

Campaign 03V093000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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

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

1998 GMC Safari — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (4 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 99V009000 (child seat) has been completed.
Verify recall 01V123000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V093000 (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

▲ 1990 ▲ 2001 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ■ 1997

See all years ranked →

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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Safari have?

5 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.