VehicleVerdict

2004 GMC Safari problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2004 GMC Safari — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Safari years?

Safari NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Safari years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 GMC Safari problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes225%
Suspension225%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)113%
Fuel System113%
Steering113%
Transmission113%

Does the 2004 GMC Safari have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI AWD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE ABS ACTIVATED ABNORMALLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 20, 2011

“WHILE PARALLEL PARKING VEHICLE TURNED 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT WITHIN TWO-CAR LENGTHS. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. DEALER CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, DID A COMPLETE WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND ROTATED THE TIRES. BUT, PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 14, 2004

“STEERING WHEEL OF 2004 GMC SAFARI IS RAPIDLY DECAYING. NO CLEANING CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN USED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WORK IN AN OFFICE, SO THERE ARE NO EXTRAORDINARY CHEMICALS ON MY HANDS. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 1, 2006

“THE REAR END WAS MAKING A NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CARRIER BEARINGS AND THE RING & PINION (FACTORY DEFECT). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING THIS NOISE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. THE COST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2004

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE RUBBING AGAINST THE FUEL LINE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 27, 2009

2004 GMC Safari — common questions

Is the 2004 GMC Safari reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2004 GMC Safari have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 GMC Safari. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.