VehicleVerdict

1990 GMC Safari problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1990 GMC Safari sits mid-pack among Safari years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 40, with 4 recalls and 4 closed investigations.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (34% of the total).

44

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Safari years?

Safari NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted256 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 11 complaints1987: 22 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 25 complaints1990: 44 complaints1991: 60 complaints1992: 66 complaints1993: 79 complaints1994: 142 complaints1995: 256 complaints1996: 199 complaints1997: 200 complaints1998: 111 complaints1999: 92 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 55 complaints2002: 35 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 8 complaints
Safari NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Safari years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 GMC Safari problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1534%
Body & Structure716%
Seats511%
Seat Belts49%
Steering37%
Engine25%
Electrical System25%
Suspension25%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Latches & Locks12%
Lighting12%

Does the 1990 GMC Safari have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

93V187000SeatsNovember 16, 1993 · 604,207 units

Defect

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Consequence

IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

93V119000BrakesAugust 2, 1993 · 341,364 units

Defect

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

91V164000Seat BeltsSeptember 20, 1991 · 4,842 units

Defect

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Consequence

VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy

REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

90V146000Fuel SystemAugust 13, 1990 · 30,640 units

Defect

FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING, CAUSING A LEAKAGE OF FUEL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A FUEL RETURN LINE SEPARATION, A FUELLEAK OCCURRING IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IN PANIC STOP ABS BRAKES FAILED, VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE,ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 22, 1995 · crash

“IN DRY WEATHER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PASSENGER'S AND MIDLE BENCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ECM FAILED WHEN DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC LOCK ALSO FAILED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“CONSUMER HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 93V187000 FOR FRONTAL SEATS. REAR SEATS ARE THE SAME TYPE OF SEATS WITH A DIFFERENT PACKAGE. BUT, MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PARTS AS STATED IN THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SEATS. *AK THE FRONT AND THE REAR SEATS ARE RECLINING SEAT FOR THIS VAN UNLIKE OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats

“IN DRY WEATHER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PASSENGER'S AND MIDLE BENCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ECM FAILED WHEN DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC LOCK ALSO FAILED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MADE A STOP; THEN, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE, LATER SHE WAS TOLD THAT IDLE ARM HAD FALLEN OFF.*AK VEHICLE ALSO WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. STEERING COLUMN LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 22, 2001

1990 GMC Safari — common questions

Is the 1990 GMC Safari reliable?

It is close to typical for the Safari: 44 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1990 Safari problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (15 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints), seats (5 complaints).

Does the 1990 GMC Safari have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 GMC Safari. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 GMC Safari under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Safari years should you avoid?

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

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.