2002 GMC Safari Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

9 complaints

MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS O.K. AND THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY CHARGED. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH AND A BRAKE LINING WAS LEAKING. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH LININGS AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND FILL WITH FRESH FLUID. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE PARTS CAME AND THE TECH WAS TO INSTALL THE LININGS THAT THE FLUID WAS SMOKING AND THE TECH ALMOST BURNED HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THREE HOURS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE SERVICE REP COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT GM TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE POSITIVE CABLE FOR GROUNDING. THEY FOUND IT WAS GROUNDING ON THE CENTER LINK OF THE STEERING. THE WORK ORDER SAID THEY RE-ROUTED THE CABLE. I WAS TOLD BY A GM REP IN ARGENTINA THAT GM FELT THAT AFTER THE TIME AND MILEAGE THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I TOLD HIM THAT IF THE CABLE HAD BEEN PROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED REGARDLESS OF THE TIME AND/OR MILES. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE FLUID HAD NOT LEAKED OUT OR BOILED TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. I FEEL IT COST ME ALL MOST $700. AT THIS POINT THAT WAS DO TO THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE GM REP SAID I COULD GO TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU THAT HE COULD DO NOTHING. CAN YOU HELP OR TELL ME WHERE I CAN GO FOR HELP? THANK YOU. *TR

Jun 08, 2009

IN DECEMBER 2007 THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BEGAN ACTIVATING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS ON DRY, SMOOTH PAVEMENT. THE ACTIVATION NOW OCCURS WITH ABOUT 33% OF ALL COMPLETE STOPS ON DRY, SMOOTH PAVEMENT. ABS SYSTEM HAS EVEN ACTIVATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPLETE STOPS ON SOME OCCASIONS. *TR

Jan 21, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES SQUEAKED AND SHE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE PADS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT 40,000 MILES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

May 11, 2007

I WAS VERY NEARLY BROADSIDED WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A SECONDARY ROAD WITH A STATE HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY BRAKE WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT IT IS LIMITED TO SELECTED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. I LIVE IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK IN UPSTATE NY WHERE TOWNS USE DIRT ONLY ON ITS ROADS. I CAN'T IMAGINE A WORST SITUATION FOR THIS CONDITION TO OCCUR THAN THE COMBINATION OF SALT AND DIRT (LIKE DC I SUPPOSE). HOW MANY CRASHES OR FATALITIES ARE REQUIRED IN EACH STATE ON KNOWN PROBLEMS BEFORE RECALLS ARE EXPANDED? *JB

Jan 09, 2006

2002 GMC SAFARI BRAKES WOULD NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT EACH TIME THEY CLAIMED THAT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF THE RECALL ON SOME GMC VEHICLE'S BUT SOON FOUND OUT THE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. * NM

Nov 29, 2005

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

THE GRAND AM SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ITS ANTI THEFT DEVISE IF YOU GO TO EDMANS.COM YOU WILL SEE MANY COMPLAINTS TO THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS MANY MORE. WE ARE ALL GETTING STRANDED AND SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. G.M. NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS AND DO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mar 19, 2008

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON DASH WENT OUT ON VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE GMC ENVOY. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, HOWEVER IT WAS EVENTUALLY EXTRACTED. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES. GMC CALLED HER THIS MORNING AND TOLD HER THERE WERE 7 RECALLS PREVIOUSLY ON THIS VEHICLE, ALL OF WHICH HAD EXPIRED.

Dec 18, 2006

ENGINE FIRE. STARTED BY A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *NM

Jan 15, 2005

Fire: 1

THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR LIGHTS ON A NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST DASH, RADIO, DRL, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING. FUSE(S) WERE REPLACED AND SOME LIGHTS HAD COME BACK ON. THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED COMPENSATION AND A NEW VEHICLE. *MR *SCC *NLM

May 06, 2003

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOWER BACK PAIN, A BRUISED TOE, A FOREHEAD GASH, AND DAMAGE TO THE RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TT UPDATED 8/21/18*JB

Nov 15, 2017

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHILE DRIVING DURING FOGGY CONDITIONS AT 20 TO 25 MPH, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER BROKE HER BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH

Nov 12, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

THE REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE LEFT WHEEL & AXLE CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE HOUSING. *TR

May 18, 2010

HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 39,000 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 131,000 MILES. NOW IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YET TO BE DETERMINED AT 149,000 MILES. JUDGING FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT THAT IS COSTING THE CONSUMER A BUNDLE OF MONEY. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT OVER $3000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM NOW WAITING TO HEAR HOW MUCH MORE I WILL HAVE TO SPEND. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB

Mar 25, 2006

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR DOESN'T OPERATE IN HIGH HUMIDITY UNLESS I UNPLUG AND REPLUG THE CONNECTION AT THE MOTOR UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS AN 02 GMC SAFARI CARGO VAN WITH 48K MI. *JB

Jun 26, 2004

MEMORY MIRRORS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN AND RESET TO RANDOM POSITIONS NOT SELECTED BY THE DRIVER. THE MIRRORS SOMETIMES "CREEP" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE IS A LOUD CRUCNING, RUBBING, OR GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHELL WELL WHILE MAKING A VERY TIGHT LEFT TURN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. A VERY LOUD HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL EMANATES FROM THE RADIO WHENEVER THE FM BAND IS SELECTED. THE SOUND IS VERY DISTRACTING AND CAUSES VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO GET A HEADACHE.*AK

Jul 05, 2001

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

THE VEHICLES FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVERS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. M PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM.

Sep 25, 2003

FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSTABLE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. CONSUMER CANNOT CONTROL VEHICLE AT TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK.*AK

May 13, 2002

TIRES

1 complaint

ON MAY 5, 2018 TRAVELING ON I-40, MILE 398 WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY VAN STARTED SHAKING. I KNEW/FELT THAT A TIRE HAD BLOWN. I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT HELP. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND PUT ON NOVEMBER OF 2016. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR WRANGLERS WITH 8,789 MILES ON THESE TIRES..

May 08, 2018

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AND FAILED, NECESSITATING EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. *TR

Oct 04, 2013

STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 5 OR 6 MPH, IT TOOK 40-50 FEET BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS AND IDLER ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. GMC DENIED HIM REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE A AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,550 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,530. UPDATED 5/5/08 *CN UPDATED

Apr 17, 2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR REQUIRED THEM TO DISMANTLE SOME OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS TO BETTER ACCESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED REQUESTING INFORMATION ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V099000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ

Feb 25, 2008

SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, BUT COULD BE ABS SENSORS RUSTED OR HAD DIRT BUILD UP. THE DEALER CLEANED ABS SENSORS AND SPRAYED A RUST INHIBITOR ON SENSORS AND HUBS , AND SAID THEY HOPED THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF PROBLEM PERSISTS TO COME BACK.*AK

Jan 24, 2006

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

THE RIGHT FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE ON THE VEHICLE, PER THE MANUFACTURE. YOU CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE AS WELL AS HEAR IT. THE MANUFACTURE WILL TRY TO PLACE MORE INSTALLATION ON, HOWEVER THEY STATED THE DEFECT IS NOT REVERSIBLE.

Sep 14, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

BRAKES SOFT AND NOSIE AT TIMES. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BRAKES JUMP WHEN STOPPING AT TIMES. BATTERY GOES DEAD. JUMPED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. GM TOLD ME TO REPLACE BATTERY. I DID AT WALMART FOR $50. INSTEAD AT AUTOWAY FOR $150. OVERHEAD INFORMATION (COMPASS, MILE PER GALLON ETC REPAIRED ABOUT SIX TIMES(BUT ON WARRANTY FROM AUTOWAY AND GM. HARD STARTING, FRONT DOORS JAM, RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FOG UP, TOLD TO TURN VENT BY AUTOWAY AND GM. VENT DOESN'T TURN. KEY LESS ENTRY DOESN'T WORK SOMETIMES. WAS TOLD BY AUTOWAY & GM THAT I AM THE PROBLEM BECAUSED I AM DISABLED AND SHOULD NOT DRIVE.

Jan 15, 2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY POPPED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN, BUT WILL NOT COME BACK UP WITH OUT PHYSICALLY PULLING THEM UP BY HAND. DOME LIGHT POPPED ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AT LEAST SIX TIMES SINCE ELEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *AK

Aug 18, 2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT WITH OUT WARNING AT NIGHT. THE OVERHEAD INFORMATION PANEL HAS NOT WORKED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. MR THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED DUE TO ELECTRICAL LOCK FAILURE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FOGS UP AND CANNOT SEE MIRROR. KEY LESS SECURITY FAILED. *YH *JB *DT

Oct 18, 2002

STEERING

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVINGF 60-65 MPH POWER ASSIST PUMP FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

Aug 29, 2002

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHILE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE IT ACCELERATED FORWARD UNTIL APPLIED BRAKES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND MECHANIC STATED THE RPMS HAVE BEEN LOWERED THAT WAS WHY VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING.*AK

Jul 23, 2002

4.8/5.0

99 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2002 GMC Safari have?

The 2002 GMC Safari currently has 32 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2002 GMC Safari?

The most common problems reported for the 2002 GMC Safari are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2002 GMC Safari problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2002 GMC Safari comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.