Electrical system fails even with new battery, alternator. When I attempt to start vehicle all power is lost. Happened last year is happening again, only in winter. Kills battery after battery. Have bought 3 batteries, now the electrical power just does not come on.
The worst 1996 GMC Safari problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility33
- Brakes29
- Suspension29
- Body12
- Electrical12
- Steering11
- Engine10
- Fuel system8
- Seat belts7
- Acceleration5
- Airbags4
- Locks4
- Tires4
- Seats3
- Transmission3
- Lights2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 GMC Safari
Recalls 4
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
- Risk
- If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 03V159000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. Some of these vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the "fasten safety-belt" audible warning occasionally may not come on or may terminate in less than four seconds as required by the standard.
- Risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new alarm module. Owner notification began june 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V123000 · Recall details
Child seat
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with integrated dual child seats. Some of these vehicles may be missing a seat belt retractor clutch spring and/or pawl spring in the child seat. If the clutch spring was missing, the seat belt would lock in the retracted position and could not be used. If the pawl spring was missing, the seat belt restraint would continually play out and would not lock.
- Risk
- These conditions could increase the occupant's risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the seat belts on the child seats, and if necessary, replace the child seat.
Recall number 99V009000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- The outboard safety belt webbing on the right-hand rear bucket seat can separate during a vehicle crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the vehicle occupant would not be properly restrained and personal injury could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a protector on the rear seat cushion frame.
Recall number 97V057000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1996 GMC Safari
Defect investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v‑150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
EA02006
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 GMC Safari 46
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine and engine cooling
- General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will...
1996 GMC Safari fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 19-20 | 16-17 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 17-20 | 15-16 |
What 1996 GMC Safari owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Gmc safari van was parked in driveway, next morning it was discovered that the front had collapsed and was just 2 inches off the pavement, inner fenders were touching the tires. Discovered that the torsion bars had failed, dealer said repairs will be $1000, part has been redesigned and has a new mounting kit to go along with new torsion bars . Vehicle is used as second family car and driven by daughter for school and work, luckily failure occurred while parked.
Problem with 1996 gmc safari van not starting. *bf the mechanic found the fuel pump was not pumping fuel. Upon retrieving the fuel pump from the gas tank, he found it to have suffered severe electrical damage. The actual failure was not the fuel pump, but because it generated enough heat to melt the hose coming from the pump along the connection. The consumer also stated he had to have a rebuilt engine installed after the first engine failed with only 87,000 miles.
The consumer 1996 gmc safari van electrical problem with fuel pump. *bf the fuel pump did not pump fuel. The fuel pump suffered electrical damage. The fuel filter was changed when the rebuilt engine was placed in the vehicle. The main bearing was shot.
The brakes will not engage intermittently. At times there was a noise. Dealer could not duplicate the problem, so they will replace the ABS system.
Power windows do not work. Consumer checked the fuses, and the fuses are not the problem. Consumer took the vehicle to an after market repair shop where the defect was noticed. *ak no recall found on this issue.
The power windows failed. As a result, when the windows were up they were unable to come back down.
Torsion bar broken
The vehicle idled rough,the service soon light illuminated and then the engine mifired. This occured because the fuel injectors were either stuck in the open or close position. The problem happened due to deposit build up which caused the poppet valve to stick and fail. There was tsb #000604003b on this issue. The dealership cleaned the injectors, but should of replaced the csfi fuel system as per the tsb.
Coolant leak cause by intake manifold failure.
Compare the 1996 GMC Safari
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Questions about the 1996 GMC Safari
Is the 1996 GMC Safari reliable?
Owners have filed 139 complaints about the 1996 GMC Safari, 7.7 times a typical Safari model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 GMC Safari?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 33 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles. Next is brakes (29).
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Safari have?
4 recalls, covering visibility, seat belts and child seat.
Was there a recall on the 1996 GMC Safari visibility?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V159000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Safari have the most visibility problems?
The GMC Safari model years with the most visibility complaints are 1995 (38 complaints), 1996 (33 complaints) and 1994 (30 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 GMC Safari get?
Official estimates for the 1996 GMC Safari range from 15 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 19-20 highway.
VIN decoder
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