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.
1997 GMC Safari electrical problems
11 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Wiring: front underhood3
- Wiring: interior/under dash2
- Alternator/generator/regulator2
- 12v/24v/48v battery2
- Wiring1
- Horn1
- 12v/24v/48v battery: cables1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Safari electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 1997 GMC Safari owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving consumer smelled smoke coming from the vents, and underneath hood from the windshield. Consumer pulled over, lifted up the hood, and vehicle caught on fire. Consumer was able to extinguishe the fire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.
September 1, 1999: AC problem (not cooling) repaired under warranty. November 3, 1999: left drivers door window motor replaced under warranty (not passenger side as documented on the invoice). January 31, 2003: I wrote to gmc customer service via email, detailing some problems that had developed with my van. I complained that the drivers window motor was intermittent at best. I mentioned was the windshield wipers worked erratically. My low setting on the AC fan was inoperable, and eventually all 3 levels stopped. I had been living with it for over a year, because I am a single mom, work full time and couldnt afford to be without my transportation. The reply I got was that my van was too old, and things break. Three months later, I received a recall campaign in the mail for the windshield wiper motor. May 8, 2003: I took my van into the closest gmc dealer to have my drivers window motor ($329.38) and the AC resistor replaced ($103.24), and perform the campaign to replace the windshield motor. July 22, 2003: returned to gmc dealer to repair AC problem (AC blows from defroster and not from vents) that developed may 10, 2003.($132.50) september 24, 2003: returned to gmc dealer for same AC problem that returned july 30, 2003. That van was in the service department all day, and was never repaired. I had to have my car for work and could not leave it. Needless to say, I was very unhappy with them. I had been unable to leave the van again until just recently, choosing instead to live with the problem until such time I could afford to be without the car for a day. April 20, 2004: returned to gmc dealer for AC problem. Was told the hose was broken in a different place than before. (169.24). During the drive home, the AC problem returned. April 29, 2004: van wont start due to a dead battery. I replaced the battery, and still same problem returns. Now I have an electrical problem somewhere that is killing my battery, and I cant find it.
Ongoing problems with defective components on consumer's two vans. Each van has had problems with it's transmission, alternator, motors for door and windows, catalytic converter, fuel pump, oxygen sensors and windshield wiper motor. *la the consumer has two gmc safari's both 1997 models. Their VIN's are [xxx] and [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
1997 gmc safari complete power failure which negates power steering, power brakes, and is a danger to me and my family! I never know when the power will go out. It has gone out on at least 10 occasions since I purchased the vehicle. Also, the transmission "slams" into gear on occasion at no specific interval. There can be several days seperating the incidents; no logical pattern. I have taken the vehicle to martin cadillac in los angeles at least 4 times to have these problems fixed and so far they have been unable to duplicate the problems and make the fix.
Horn works erratically. Specifically, it doesn't work at all at higher highway speeds.
Battery that came with the vehicle is leaking acid from the postive power post which is melting paint from the inner fender, and possibly damaging lines underneath battery. Vehicle repaired at owner's cost, gm to reimburse. *ak
A malfunctioning wiring harness causing loss of all instrument panel lights. Also, turn signal became inoperative, consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has pulled all types of wires out of the engine compartment, problem still occurs. *ak
All the gauges do not work due to electrical problems. Dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem. Previously, dealer replaced gas gauge. Also, transmissin malfunctioned.
The battery cable line hanging over the the top of the transmission cooling line going into the intake/outtake maniford, which cut it in half. The transmission caught on fire.contacted the dealer.
Questions about the 1997 GMC Safari electrical
Does the 1997 GMC Safari have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the electrical of the 1997 GMC Safari, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 GMC Safari electrical problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1997 GMC Safari electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the GMC Safari have the most electrical problems?
The GMC Safari model years with the most electrical complaints are 1996 (12 complaints) and 1997 (11 complaints).
Other 1997 GMC Safari problems
Visibility 29Transmission 21Brakes 18Engine 18Fuel system 17Steering 14Acceleration 9Body 8Seat belts 8Airbags 6Suspension 5Lights 2Locks 2Seats 2Tires 2Wheels 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 GMC Safari?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history