VehicleVerdict

2001 GMC Safari problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2001 GMC Safari sits mid-pack among Safari years: 55 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 40, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 56 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (29% of the total).

55

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

56

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Safari years?

Safari NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Safari years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 GMC Safari problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1629%
Electrical System916%
Lighting713%
Steering47%
Visibility & Wipers47%
Engine35%
Latches & Locks35%
Body & Structure24%
Speed Control24%
Other12%
Fuel System12%
Airbags12%
Seat Belts12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2001 GMC Safari have recalls?

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

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

05V099000LightingMarch 14, 2005 · 77,055 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE CONTACTS AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION OF THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE REPAIR WOULD BE USED IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IS STILL MOVABLE. IF A VEHICLE HAS A HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON THAT IS NOT MOVABLE (FROZEN), THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE OWNER THEY ADDED 3 OUNCES OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE UNTIL THE OWNER TRIED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO BRAKES, AGAIN. BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2004

“2001 GMC SAFARI VAN CAUGHT FIRE BURNED TO GROUND AFTER STARTED. WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM DASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTED. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 12, 2003 · fire

“WAS DRIVING, AT NIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE PROBLEM WOULD BE INTERMITTENTLY. WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE MULTIFUNCTION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 12, 2004

“BRAKES FAULTY. BRAND NEW PADS INSTALLED LAST WEEK ALL AROUND ADJUSTED AND DEALER CLAIMS ALL IS WELL BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT TAKES AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF FORCE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL TO STOP THIS VEHICLE, NOTICED AT 35K. DANGEROUS AND NOT EASY TO GET USED TO. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD LEAKS ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 1, 2003

“WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE WINDOWS RATTLED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT WAS REPLACED. *AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 4, 2003

2001 GMC Safari — common questions

Is the 2001 GMC Safari reliable?

It is close to typical for the Safari: 55 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2001 Safari problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (16 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), lighting (7 complaints).

Does the 2001 GMC Safari have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 GMC Safari. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 GMC Safari under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.