VehicleVerdict

2000 GMC Savana problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 70 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 15.6 times the median Savana year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 32 Savana years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 44% of all reports (31 of 70), far ahead of tires & wheels at 8.

70

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Savana years?

Savana NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted70 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 45 complaints1997: 63 complaints1998: 39 complaints1999: 64 complaints2000: 70 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 13 complaints2003: 23 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 16 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 12 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 7 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 3 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Savana NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Savana years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 GMC Savana problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3144%
Tires & Wheels811%
Steering710%
Body & Structure46%
Transmission34%
Engine34%
Seat Belts23%
Electrical System23%
Fuel System23%
Latches & Locks23%
Speed Control23%
Suspension23%
Airbags11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2000 GMC Savana have recalls?

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

05V005000TransmissionJanuary 7, 2005 · 98,221 units

Defect

SOME PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC PUMP DRIVESHAFT THAT CAN FRACTURE, RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, THE SAME CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST FOR BRAKING AFTER THE RESERVE PRESSURE IS DEPLETED.

Consequence

AN INOPERATIVE PUMP CAN CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND IN HYDRO-BOOST EQUIPPED VEHICLES ALSO INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT, BUT DOES NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR SLOW THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

00V085000SteeringMarch 16, 2000 · 10,468 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE THAT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THREE SCREW CLAMPS TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE JOINTS. IF THE CLAMPS ARE NOT THE SCREW TYPE, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLAMPS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2000 GMC SAVANA VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES. ON TWO OCCASSIONS WHEN I HAD TO MAKE SUDDEN STOPS I ENCOUNTERED BRAKE FAILURE. ALTHOUGH, THERE WERE OTHER TIMES THEY NEVER RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. THE BRAKES WOULD SEEM TO ENGAGE THEN LET GO CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL FATHER THAN EXPECTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 5, 2003 · crash

“TOTAL SIDEWALL BLOW OUT OF REAR LEFT TIRE ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. VAN WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL BY DRIVER AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TIRE AND ALUMINUM WHEEL DISTROYED. FIRESTONE TIRES WERE PUT ON BY CONVERSION VAN COMPANY (EXPLORER CONVERSIONS) AND SELLING GMC DEALER INDICATED THESE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 6, 2002

“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEM. GMC WAS CALLED AND DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 13, 2002

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SAVANNA. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WS ABLE TO PUT HIS FINGER THROUGH THE RUST AND THE FRAME. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 9, 2009

“BASICLY THE VAN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING HAS PROVEN TO BE UNSAFE AND HAZARDEST TO ME AND MY FAMILY. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 10, 2000

2000 GMC Savana — common questions

Is the 2000 GMC Savana reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 70 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 32 Savana years. It is one of the Savana years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Savana problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (31 complaints), tires & wheels (8 complaints), steering (7 complaints).

Does the 2000 GMC Savana have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 GMC Savana. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 GMC Savana under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Savana years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Savana years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1998. The cleanest record among Savana years belongs to 2026.

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.