1997 GMC Savana Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

STRUCTURE

7 complaints

SIDE CARGO DOORS PROGRESSIVELY HARDER TO OPEN UNTIL REAR UPPER HINGE SNAPPED. DOOR LEFT HANGING, VERY DANGEROUS. NOT RUSTED OR ABUSED. *NLM

May 14, 2003

UPPER HINGE PIN FALLING OUT OF HINGES, AND CAUSING DOORS TO DROP. UNABLE TO CLOSE PROPERLY;. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

Dec 01, 2000

GLOVE BOX IS NOT SET CORRECTLY.

Feb 13, 1998

VEHICLE LEAKS CONTINUALLY INTO INTERIOR.

Feb 13, 1998

DESIGN OF NARROW RUNNING BOARDS ALONG WITH THE VINYL STRIPS AND THE LACK OF A RIGID PLATFORM CAUSED OCCUPANT OF THE VAN TO SLIP AND FALL.

Jan 16, 1998

Injuries: 1

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 complaints

CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED.*JB

May 28, 2002

TOWING A RENTED TRAILER AND SMALL HYDRA-HOE. WEATHER CONDITIONS HAD BEEN RAINING. THE TRAILER CONTAINS A HYRDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER THAT IS ACTIVATED FROM THE FORCE OF THE TRAILER PUSHING THE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPING. IN THIS CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCKS WOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT STOPPING POWER AS THEY WOULD NOT LOCK UP. THE MORE THE TRAILER PUSHED THE LESS THEY WOULD BRAKE. RIG WAS VIRTUALLY BRAKELESS INTO AN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS NOT A PANIC STOP, THE LIGHT HAD CHANGED WITH APPX 80 YARDS TO STOP SPEED APPX. 35MPH . *AK

Jan 05, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

BRAKE PEDAL KEEPS SQUEAKING. DEALER HAS REPLACED PEDAL. BUT, WITHIN 1000 MILES NOISE WILL COME BACK. *AK

Oct 15, 1999

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE ARE LOUD SQUEAKING NOISES AND THE PEDAL GETS SOFT AND GOES CLOSER TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, FRONT CALIPERS HAVE GOTTEN STUCK, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CANT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Aug 23, 1999

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS BRAKES WOULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS WOULD CAUSE A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE FOR THE VEHICLE. *AK

Oct 29, 1997

TIRES

5 complaints

THE REAR LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW UP WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. (FIRESTONE STEEL TEX R4S/TIRE SIZE LT223/75R16). *YH

Sep 19, 2001

THE REAR LEFT SIDE TIRE BLEW UP WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. (FIRESTONE STEEL TEX R4S/TIRE SIZE LT223/75R16). *YH

Sep 19, 2001

TIRE CAME APART-DID NOT DEFLATE-CONSIDERABLE BODY DAMAGE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 909D TIRESIZE: LT245/75R1)

Nov 30, 2000

TIRE CAME APART-DID NOT DEFLATE-CONSIDERABLE BODY DAMAGE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: 909D TIRE SIZE: LT245/75R1 )

Nov 30, 2000

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SS10 TIRE P235/70R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, TREAD HAD FALLEN OFF ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE, WAS NOT A BLOWOUT.PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY. VEHICLE TOWED TO TIRE SHOP & REPLACED. SENT TIRE TO FIRESTONE. *AK *SLC

Aug 03, 2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

4 complaints

PLASTIC PRESSURE FUEL LINE ON MY GMC 1997 SAVANNAH G150 DEVELOPED A PUNCTURE SPRAYING GASOLINE NEAR EXHAUST PIPE HAD TO REPLACE SEND DEFECTIVE LINE TO GM THEY SAID THEY HAD NO WAY TO TEST IT. *JB

Mar 08, 2006

MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF PUMP. *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768169

Oct 07, 2002

FUEL SENDING UNIT TANK FAILED TWICE ON THIS VAN. ONCE ON ANOTHER 3/4 TON VAN. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *AK

Jan 05, 2000

FUEL TANK HOLDS 1/2 TANK CAPACITY THEN BEGINS TO LEAK. NLM

Jun 23, 1999

POWER TRAIN

4 complaints

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING AN AWFUL NOISE, AND LIMITED MOBILIY. *SCC

Sep 12, 2002

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOST ALL OF IT'S FLUID WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND LEFT A CLOUD OF SMOKE WHICH CAUSED ME TO STOP. WHEN I SAW A POOL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, I LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE HAD CAUSED THE FLUID TO IGNITE UNDER THE VAN AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT, I ORDERED MY WIFE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN BECAUSE OF THE FLAMES. A MOTORIST MUST HAVE CALLED THE MT. MORRIS FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE A FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED AT THE SCEEN. I HAD ALREADY PUT THE FLAMES OUT BY USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER THAT I CARRY. MY VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO ALBERT CHEVROLET IN MT. MORRIS (THEY WERE ONE OF THE FEW DEALERSHIPS THAT WERE OPEN ON SATURDAY). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ALONE IS LISTED FOR $1,350.00 PLUS LABOR AND ANY ADDITION FLUIDS AND/OR PARTS. I ESTIMATE THIS TO COST APPROXIMATELY $2,500.00.*AK

May 13, 2001

Fire: 1

MAJOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE FIRST EVIDENCED BY HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT CAUSED BY KNOWN FACTORY DEFAULT IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND SOLENOID CIRCUITRY. MANY OWNERS REPORTING SAME PROBLEM EITHER WITHIN OR AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD.

Aug 01, 2000

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT SOON AFTER WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. NLM

Apr 13, 2000

STEERING

3 complaints

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. (NAR) *PH *CB

Mar 26, 2004

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM *PH *NLM

Nov 05, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SHAFT BROKE IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP, DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY AND SERPENTINE BELT.*JB

May 28, 2002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 complaints

REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WITH 69,000 MILES ON IT.

Feb 13, 2003

LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT WAS REPORTED TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. FIRST REPORTED AT 16,799 MILES. DEALER ALWAYS DID PRESSURE TEST BUT REPORTED NO PROBLEM. NOW MY MECHANIC TELLS ME I HAVE COOLANT IN THE OIL.

Apr 08, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WITHOUT REASON AT 30MPH AND UNDER ONLY. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DISCOVERED. *AK

May 11, 1998

SEAT BELTS

3 complaints

SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR CAPTAINS CHAIRS DO NO CONNECT WHEN A LARGE PERSON IS IN SEAT, AND WHEN A SMALL PERSON IS IN SEAT THE BELT CONNECTS ACROSS THE NECK, WHICH CAUSES CHOKING. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. STATES THE BELTS ARE NOT PROPERLY LOCATED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mar 02, 1999

VEHICLE'S SEAT BELTS HAVE TWO RETRACTORS, THE SHOULDER HARNESS AND THE LAP AND FLOOR. WHEN THE BELT IS HOOKED TOGETHER, CONSUMER CAN STAND AND WALK AWAY FROM THE SEAT AT LEAST THREE FEET. THE CONSUMER'S CHILD WHEN BUCKLED IN, THE BUCKLE OF THE SEAT BELT STOPS IN THE CENTER OF THE CHILD'S CHEST. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT HANDLED BY THEM. *AK

Jul 23, 1998

SEAT BELTS LOCKS UP, AND WHILE DRIVING THE BUCKLES WILL BECOME UNLATCHED. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BUCKLES ON THE VAN. *AK

Oct 03, 1997

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

1997 GMC SAVANA ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENTS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS EARLIER IN THE DAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0256-89) *JB UPDATED02/24/10 *BF

Aug 28, 2008

Fire: 1

AT 38,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD BETWEEN GEAR CHANGES, ONLY WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *YD

Dec 07, 2001

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THEN, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AN DETERMINED THAT SENSOR CONTROL MODULE HAD A SHORT DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE CARPET.*AK

Mar 10, 2004

AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH NOBODY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *LA *JB

Feb 24, 2004

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

2 complaints

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THERE HAS BEEN A GAS LEAK. CONSUMER STATES' HE CONSTANTLY BREATHING FUMES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Nov 19, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE RECALL #00V110000 FUEL ODOR LEAKAGE WAS REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE THE SENDING UNIT FAILS TO OPERATE WITHIN A WEEK. DEALER NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SENDING UNIT. PLEASE PROVIDE THAT DEALER NAME ADDRESS AND NUMBER. TS

Oct 30, 2002

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

PASSENGER'S SIDE 3RD WINDOW IN BACK FALLS OUT OF TRACK ONTO PAINT OF VAN WHEN UNLATCHED. THIS HAPPENED AT 297 MILES, WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER. *AK THE WINDOW FELL DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW . THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACED IT. *YH

Mar 22, 2001

BACK REAR WINDOWS ON THE BACK DOORS ARE NOT SET CORRECTLY.

Feb 13, 1998

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS HAVE ALL CORRODED DUE TO MOISTURE, POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE OR ELECTRICAL FAILURES. *AK

Aug 15, 2000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VAN BRIEFLY LOST POWER. AT THE NEXT STOP SIGN I NOTICED WHITE STEAM OR SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER TURNING THE VAN CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER UNTIL I GOT PULLED OVER. AFTER GETTING MYSELF AND TWO OF MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE VAN THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK AND I KNEW IT WAS A FIRE. AS WE WALKED BACK TO A SAFE DISTANCE I COULD SEE FIRE DRIPPING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VAN. IT WAS SOON ENGULFED IN FIRE AND CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED TO PUT IT OUT. THE VAN WAS TOTALED.

Mar 24, 1999

Fire: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL REAR BRAKES WOULD GRAB. WHEN CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL LIKE BRAKES WERE STILL APPLIED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED TO THE DEALER TO DISCONNECT THE REAR BRAKE ADJUSTER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE REAR BRAKES WERE OVER ADJUSTING, CONSUMER STATES SINCE THE REMOVAL, THE BRAKES STILL GRAB AND STAY PARTIALLY ON AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN RELEASED, DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO RESPOND LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE A LOAD IN IT. *SLC

Aug 27, 2001

SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

WHILE SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE DRIVER FELT A PULSATION IN FRONT STEERING WHEEL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND HE CHANGED BRAKE ROTORS, BUT NOT PADS. SINCE THEN, CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER 4 MORE TIMES. LAST TIME WAS ON 01/ 28/99. PICKED IT UP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, AND IT STILL HAD PULSATION. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IT FELT AS THOUGH VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP. *AK

Feb 03, 2000

AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

SAFETY HAZARD! THE ELECTRIC DRIVER SEAT IS NOT SQUARE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL.THE SEAT POSITION MAKES THE DRIVER SET AT AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF THE WHEEL SO IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED IT WILL HIT THE DRIVER IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD AND TWIST THE BODY AROUND.THE WAY THE DRIVER SEAT IS ANGLED THE AIR BAG WILL NEVER HIT SQUARE WITH THE BODY . THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE AIR BAG WILL CAUSE THE BODY TO TWIST AS OPPOSED TO HITTING YOU SQUARE AND HOLDING YOU FACE FORWARD . I FEEL IT WILL CROWD THE DRIVER TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IN A TWISTED CONDITION. GMC AND AUTO FORM AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND I AM TOLD I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS SAFETY HAZARD AS THEY CANNOT CORRECT IT AND THEY ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. AGAIN THAT I WILL HAVE TO JUST LIVE WITH. I HOPE THAT THE VEHICLE IS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MULTIPLE DEATHS AND OR PERMANENT INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

Jan 13, 2000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

1. REAR ADJUSTMENT SPRING WAS NOT INSTALLED IN VEHICLE FROM FACTORY, CAUSING BRAKES TO BECOME SPONGY. 2. TRANSMISSION HAS BECOME FAULTY WIHTIN 42,000.

Sep 08, 1999

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

WHILE USING THE JACK TO CHANGE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL DOWN. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL TO CONTACTED. *AK

Apr 27, 1998

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

WHEN PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE TRUCK IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES, ALSO THE STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND IT HAS BEEN ALIGNED 4 TIMES. *AK

Dec 01, 1997

SEATS

1 complaint

HEAD RESTS BLOCKS THE VIEW OF REAR WINDOWS.

Nov 05, 1997

4.6/5.0

49 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1997 GMC Savana have?

The 1997 GMC Savana currently has 51 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 1997 GMC Savana?

The most common problems reported for the 1997 GMC Savana 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 1997 GMC Savana problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1997 GMC Savana comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.