1990 GMC Safari
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › GMC › Safari › 1990
These records cover every 1990 GMC Safari. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1990 GMC Safari. Newest first.
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl between them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft" joint results in lower than specified bolt torque which leads to joint looseness, causing bolt fatigue and eventual bolt failure.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If bolt failure occurs to the driver's seat, it wouldallow the seat back to suddenly recline, and could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the foam and/or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame "soft" joint and replace the recliner bolts.
Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Separation of the rotor sections can cause loss ofbraking ability in the affected wheel. This could result in increased stoppingdistance and/or loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Remedy
Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are normal maintenance items.
Seat belt anchorage bar for rear sofa failed to sustain loads required by fmvss 210.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicles would not comply with fmvss 210.
Remedy
Replace noncomplying sofa bar with bar that meets requirements.
Fuel return hoses may break at either crimped coupling, causing a leakage of fuel.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a fuel return line separation, a fuelleak occurring in the presence of an ignition source could cause a fire.
Remedy
Install a properly crimped fuel return hose.
Owner complaints
35 complaints2 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
Consumer discovered that the power driver seat would rock back and forth when the vehicle accelerated too quickly, consumer thought that a mounting bolt was loose, he then tilted the seat back and inspected the front mounting bolt to the seat platform connection and the consumer saw that when the…
Consumer discovered that the power driver seat would rock back and forth when the vehicle accelerated too quickly, consumer thought that a mounting bolt was loose, he then tilted the seat back and inspected the front mounting bolt to the seat platform connection and the consumer saw that when the seat back was pushed, the entire bolt/nut combo lifted off of the mounting platform, and that was the cause of the seat rocking back and forth, upon lifting the seat off the platform all four corners of the platform had broken off, the adjacent metal around the bolt holes were disfigured, fractured and cracked.*jb
- Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar · Suspension
Consumer was driving along and made a stop; then, put vehicle in reverse and it made a loud noise, later she was told that idle arm had fallen off.*ak vehicle also would vibrate while driving at 65 mph. steering column loose and needed to be tightened. *slc
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Consumer have received recall notice 93v187000 for frontal seats. rear seats are the same type of seats with a different package. but, manufacturer refused to replace the parts as stated in the recall for the rear seats. *ak the front and the rear seats are reclining seat for this van unlike other vans. *Yh
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The 2 front safety belts dont work properly, if you lean forward the shoulder belt stay loose and don't come back against the passenger, also a rear lap belt which IS supposed to be able to retract and lock into place after it IS pulled all the way out does not work. I had contacted gm a couple…
The 2 front safety belts dont work properly, if you lean forward the shoulder belt stay loose and don't come back against the passenger, also a rear lap belt which IS supposed to be able to retract and lock into place after it IS pulled all the way out does not work. I had contacted gm a couple years ago and they said they would make a note of it but would not offer to fix them. I think beings this IS a safety issue they should repair it. The belts have been like this ever since we bought the van, it was a used vehicle, we didnt buy it new. I transport children, I have a 5 year old and a 3 month old, so this IS very important to me, I have to always make sure they are in one of the working belts. This also leaves the driver at risk, beings the drivers belt doesnt function properly. I am unable to use one of the spots in the back due to the defective belt. If you can help, please contact me @ 314-729-1288 or email me at heywinky@aol.com thank you, maureen wiehage. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
After a hard braking incident, the ABS & brake lights came on and stayed on. system was reset by mechanic, worked for 4 or 5 brake applications but had electric motor noise under hood, then problem returned. regular brakes work properly, ABS does not. independent repair shop stated ABS computer…
After a hard braking incident, the ABS & brake lights came on and stayed on. system was reset by mechanic, worked for 4 or 5 brake applications but had electric motor noise under hood, then problem returned. regular brakes work properly, ABS does not. independent repair shop stated ABS computer failure. cost to repair - $450, work not performed. problem persists. after viewing your online complaints, this seems to be a common problem for this make/model/year of vehicle. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS warning lights comes on, indicating that the ABS does not function at all. Dealer has seen vehicle, and reset the ABS code. Problem exsits again. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS light keeps coming on & staying. When applying brakes (ABS), vehicle would slide. Vehicle fails to stop right away. Wheels would lock up. Been to dealer & mechanic reset computer for brakes. The diagnostic machine had a code of 63. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Was leaning forward with the seat belt on. Seat belt failed to lock up properly when this happens. Owner feels it would not be adequate protection if an accident occurs. *Ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar · Suspension › Rear
Took the vehicle for repair service on rear end. Was hit. When consumer drove away, steering wheel column moved the column into the inner sleeve.consumer contacted dealer. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When traveling 70 mph consumer lost all power. also, vehicle went from 70 to 0 in a matter of seconds. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the motor. this has been a continuous problem. Please provide any further details. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Sliding door came out of the track, door was locked. Incident occurred two times. Dealer has been notified and IS investigating problem. no warranty. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brake problems; during normal braking at low speed in no inclement weather, mostly when coming out of the driveway(very little hill), when applying the brakes, the pedal goes straight to the floor and the truck does not stop. After the truck sits for one to two minutes and the brakes are normal, dealer not able to detect a prolbem with the system. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
The motor speed control switch for the heater and air conditioner melted inside the instrument panel/replaced switch and blower motor. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
Antilock brake light comes on.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Antilock brakes failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Owner has ABS brakes. brakes drag, brake pedal goes to the floor. owner has had vehicle in for service, and dealers are unable to find anything wrong. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When applying the ABS brakes in icy weather, the ABS light came on and the front brakes locked up. replaced ABS system. please describe. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Structure › Body › Door
In dry weather applied the brakes and ABS light came on and there were no brakes, took to dealer and he replaced the computer system, the passenger's and midle bench seat belt buckles broke on three different occasions, the ecm failed when driving and the electric lock also failed. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
The bracket that holds the front seat broke . Please describe . *ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
At 26,000 miles the headlight switch burnt out, repaired and again the headlight switch burnt out, also there's a burning plastic smell on the driver side. please describe in detail. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Intermittent stalling.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
The anti-lock brake control value has failed. this has been replaced twice in the last (2) years and it has to be replaced again.*ak consumer states replacements only last 17-18 thousand miles. *slc
- Structure › Body › Door
Consumer was loading the vehicle and the sliding door fell no one was injured. Please describe .*ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Consumer was loading the truck and sliding door came off. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The drivers seat belt will not come out of the retracting case and this IS the second one installed in the vehicle. It cannot be worn. Please describe. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Instrument panel/dash electrical fire
Alleged electrical fires may occur in the dash area while the subject vehicles are being operated or while parked.
- Seat back bolt breakage
There is no summary currently available
- Brake failure
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- Brake failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10028790General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will move down or self apply during full lock turns or near full lock turns. Chevrolet astro and GMC safari vans; hummer 2 are included. Updated 5/24/11.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 10007244Window regulator motor does not fit.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
- 39304Cold engine knock.
- 37942Transmission extention seal leaks.
Every GMC Safari model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.