This van belongs to my mother. My sister was driving the day of the accident. She is 60 yrs of age and a very good driver. Her description: "just pulling away from one light & coming up to another. Wasn't going more than 20 MPH. Step on the brakes & they weren't there." the accident caused about $500 in damage to the honda auto that was struck, and similar light damage to the bumper of the safari. I inspected system and found no leaks, and concluded that master cylinder may be failing, so I replaced it. After that repair, had excellent pedal. I borrowed the van a few days later, and while driving it, I experienced the same no brake condition 3 times, once which left the front end out into an intersection (luckily, no collision). I recognized that the anti-lock braking system was erroneously keeping the front brakes from applying, and that was what caused the no brake condition. A gm mechanic advised me to pull the ABS fuse. I did so, and now the van has great brakes, every time. I have done the same to another family vehicle also equipped with this dangerous system; I'm not waiting until it causes another accident. This condition screams for your attention. No one was hurt by this particular failure incident (except financially), but it is just a matter of time before someone ends up gliding into a busy intersection, or over a crosswalk, and does cause a death or two. Please have all these dangerous ABS vehicles recalled, and have these safety features-turned-safety hazards defeated, before someone does become a victim.
The worst 1997 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.
- Visibility29
- Transmission21
- Brakes18
- Engine18
- Fuel system17
- Steering14
- Electrical11
- Acceleration9
- Body8
- Seat belts8
- Airbags6
- Suspension5
- Lights2
- Locks2
- Seats2
- Tires2
- Wheels2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 GMC Safari 49
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
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
1997 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 | 20-21 | 16-17 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 17-20 | 15-16 |
What 1997 GMC Safari owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1997 gmc safari brake failed completely no rear no front suspect it was the anti lock control under the drivers seat . No leaks visible.
Windshield wiper module failure, approximately in early 2006 on 1000k trip. Parts purchased module n12463 part number 12463090 from dealer in edmonton at cost of $64.87 including gst.. Returned home 1000k as dealer too busy too fix, and paid $36.00 labor to have installed. Total cost for module and labor: $100.87. My request is for gm to pay this $100.87 as this should have been covered under a recall notice at any time in the life of these vehicles.
Fuel leak in safari supplied fuel line that goes to the generator.
1997 gmc safari van vehicle doors would not close properly. *kb ***nar*** the consumer had to tie the doors with a rope to keep them closed.
Dt: the contact stated the transmission failed . He contacted the dealership, and had repair work done in may 2005. In september 2005 the transmission failed completely. He contacted the manufacturer, they contacted the dealership. The dealership offered to refund the money for service toward a new transmission, but this repair has not currently been made.
1997 gmc safari transmission failure. Sun gear shell failure caused no reverse, second or overdrive on this vehicle.
Dt: dealer told the caller the throttle stuck was stuck in the open position. This caused the vehicle to accelerate without warning. Caller has not received a notice to have this part maintained. Dealer said they will not fix it for free. Manufacturer said because of the age and mileage they will not fix it. Caller felt it was a manufacturers defect. Caller had no idea that part was a maintenance item. Caller was sitting at a light the vehicle took off, and he had to hold the brakes hard, and turn it off to get it to stop.*ak
At 90000 miles, windshield wipers on my 97 gmc safari suddenly started to fail while driving in the rain. 10 minutes later they might work for a while. This started happening regularly. I had several near accidents on the freeways of los angeles as a result. I was told by one web forum it was faulty leads due to wire harness stress. I have not been able to afford to fix the problem and now avoid the freeways in the rain.
Brakes fail at speeds less than 5 MPH
Compare the 1997 GMC Safari
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Questions about the 1997 GMC Safari
Is the 1997 GMC Safari reliable?
Owners have filed 135 complaints about the 1997 GMC Safari, 7.5 times a typical Safari model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 GMC Safari?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 29 complaints. Next is transmission (21).
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Safari have?
4 recalls, covering visibility, seat belts and child seat.
Was there a recall on the 1997 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 1997 GMC Safari get?
Official estimates for the 1997 GMC Safari range from 15 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 20-21 highway.
VIN decoder
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