GMC Safari years to avoid

The GMC Safari years to avoid are 1995, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1998, 2000, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1991 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1984 is the cleanest year on record.

1,537

Total complaints

Recall campaigns

1982–2005

Years covered

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

GMC Safari NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Safari years to avoid

Year	Why	Complaints	vs avg
1995	High complaint rate	256	6.5×
1997	High complaint rate	200	5.1×
1996	High complaint rate	199	5.0×
1994	High complaint rate	142	3.6×
1998	High complaint rate	111	2.8×
2000	High complaint rate	95	2.4×
1999	High complaint rate	92	2.3×
1993	High complaint rate	79	2.0×
1992	High complaint rate	66	1.7×
1991	High complaint rate	60	1.5×

Every Safari year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Investigations
2005	8	2	0
2004	8	2	0
2003	19	3	0
2002	35	3	1
2001	55	3	1
2000avoid	95	2	0
1999avoid	92	3	0
1998avoid	111	5	0
1997avoid	200	6	1
1996avoid	199	6	1
1995avoid	256	6	2
1994avoid	142	2	1
1993avoid	79	2	0
1992avoid	66	3	0
1991avoid	60	4	4
1990	44	4	4
1989	25	4	1
1988	8	3	6
1987	22	2	6
1986	11	2	5
1985	2	3	5
1984	0	0	1
1983	0	0	1
1982	0	0	1

Common questions

What are the worst GMC Safari years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Safari years to avoid are 1995, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1998, 2000, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1991. The cleanest year on record is 1984.

What is the best year for the GMC Safari?

By complaint volume, 1984 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Safari years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the GMC Safari have?

Across all model years, the Safari has 18 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,537 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.