1994 GMC Safari
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › GMC › Safari › 1994
These records cover every 1994 GMC Safari. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1994 GMC Safari. Newest first.
Certain r&b, inc. Central multiport fuel injection (cmfi) fuel return lines, models help 55163, napa balkamp 700-3270, and the connection 2560001, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. the fuel return line has a mechanical bleed valve which was not installed at the proper torque.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A fuel leak can occur at the valve, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy
R&b, inc. Will notify owners and at the customers request, either replace the fuel line or offer a full refund. the recall began on may 4, 2006. owners may contact r&b, inc. At 215-712-5330.
The manufacturer's certification label and/or the driver air bag advisory label may be missing from the vehicles, which does not conform to the requirements of 49 cfr 567.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: owners of vehicle would be unaware of the load capacity of the vans, the van build date, and would not have any assurance that the vans meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Remedy
The labels will be furnished to owner's for installation on the vehicles.
Owner complaints
119 complaints15 involved a crash2 involved a fire11 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
TL*- the contact stated that while fueling the 1994 GMC safari (15 with the vehicle running the transmission switched gears from park to reverse,, resulting in striking the vehicle behind it. the contact reentered the vehicle, shifted the loose gear into drive and moved the vehicle forward to a parking space. the vehicle w2asa drivable, but the gear shift was loose. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
Driving a 1994 GMC safari AWD and at a stop had the 41" torsion bar snapped. searched for replacement from salvage yards but they have stopped selling them due to liability reasons, need to install adjustment equipment sold by gm with a cost of $800. *nm
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
When driving during rainy weather, the windshield wiper failed intermittently. the dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak there were numerous recalls on other year and makes of the safari vans for the same problem. *sc *jb
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
The van was going down the I25 north of denver when the left front torsion bar snapped. I have driven many race cars and brining the van to a stop was the hardest I have ever done. By driving skills, luck and the good lord I am here today to write this complaint. does general motors need to wait…
The van was going down the I25 north of denver when the left front torsion bar snapped. I have driven many race cars and brining the van to a stop was the hardest I have ever done. By driving skills, luck and the good lord I am here today to write this complaint. does general motors need to wait for a family to die before they will step up to the plate. I did not know of this problem until I went to get parts and that IS when I find that gm knows they have defective torsion bars and supersedes the part numbers to shorter (from 40" to 36" bars) these bars are redesigned and must be replaced in pairs. I have the van torn down now with the failed part and it upsets me enough that I am going to let the van sit until general motors does something about this. Note that the GMC safari AWD vans and the chevrolet astro AWD vans are the same vehicle with the same problem.*ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling · Equipment · Power train · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
We purchased this vehicle 2 years ago. shortly thereafter, we had a problem in a mall parking lot wherein the electrical system (dash board, power windows, a/c, radio) failed at the very same time as the transmission, which would not shift out of 1ST gear. the problem went away after we turned…
We purchased this vehicle 2 years ago. shortly thereafter, we had a problem in a mall parking lot wherein the electrical system (dash board, power windows, a/c, radio) failed at the very same time as the transmission, which would not shift out of 1ST gear. the problem went away after we turned the car off and waited a few minutes. it happened only two other times. recently, it happened again, but IS not fixed by turning the car off and restarting. it has been suggested that it IS a wiring problem, but to date, we have not found anyone familiar with the problem and they all want to replace our transmission. it seems odd that the transmission and electrical problems happen at the same time, so electrical sounds more likely to us. the van has been sitting idle for almost 2 months now, as we are hesitant to spend a lot of money to fix it and even more hesitant to take it to someone who IS not familiar with the problem and just wants to replace the transmission without guarantee that this will fix the problem. please let me know if you have heard of this before and, if so, what the problem IS.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers failed on several occasions on a trip, during travel in a rainstorm. on one occasion, I pulled over and damaged the right side running board due to inability to see. this IS a dangerous flaw and needs to be addressed by the factory. *la
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Recall complaint nhtsa recall no. 03V159/gm recall no. 03023.The (above) recall IS concerning the failure of a windshield wiper system that fails due to a bad circuit board/motor assembly. there are many vehicles involved including 1994 vehicles, but for the GMC safari only 1995-1997 models are…
Recall complaint nhtsa recall no. 03V159/gm recall no. 03023.The (above) recall IS concerning the failure of a windshield wiper system that fails due to a bad circuit board/motor assembly. there are many vehicles involved including 1994 vehicles, but for the GMC safari only 1995-1997 models are listed. my 1994 GMC safari experienced the same failure mode as the other 1994 vehicles listed and the 1995-19997 safari models. the service repair receipt indicates the failure mode in agreement with the recall notice description. I had my vehicle repaired due to non-operation of my wiper system at a cost of $341.75. when the recall notice for this failure mode was announced it did not include the 1994 safari model year. I have had repeated conversations with GMC recall office and they indicate that my vehicle IS still not part of the recall. upon my own investigation, I found a 1995 GMC safari and found it had the same wiper motor assembly as my (1994) vehicle, this vehicle IS covered for the failure recall, but mine IS not. I indicated this to GMC but there was nothing they can do but accumulate complaints on other vehicles not covered in the recall. I have waited over 8 months since the recall announcement for an update, but they indicated no update was available. I believe nhtsa should investigate adding the 1994 GMC safari to the recall complaint notice nhtsa recall no. 03V159/gm recall no. 03023. please indicate what further action I can take in order to recover my expense ($341.75) in repairing the same defect which has been recalled on other safari models and on other 1994 general motors vehicles with the same failure mode description. thank you joseph d. Jaklic 317.877.3304 joseph_jaklic@yahoo.com . *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Our 1994 GMC safari accelerated suddenly twice within 2 hours. first incident on I40 near brinkley, ar while my wife was passing another vehicle. she switched the a/c from max to normal and the accelerator suddenly went to the floor. she stopped the problem by using both feet on the brakes and…
Our 1994 GMC safari accelerated suddenly twice within 2 hours. first incident on I40 near brinkley, ar while my wife was passing another vehicle. she switched the a/c from max to normal and the accelerator suddenly went to the floor. she stopped the problem by using both feet on the brakes and pumping 3 or 4 times to prevent the accelerating van from hitting the car in front of her. the cruise control switch was off. the second time occurred while driving about 35 to 40 mph. she touched nothing on the dash or the turn signal stalk. the accelerator went to the floor again and it took several pumps of the brakes to stop the car. it appears to be connected to the cruise control since pumping the brakes stops the acceleration.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
The vehicles windshield wipers experienced the same defect as stated in recall 03v159000. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
The vehicle experienced the same failure with its windshield wiper motor as stated in recall 03 v 159 000, but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vehicle. *ak the incident occurred during a heavy rain storm. *scc *jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
I have a problem with the windshield wipers on my 1994' GMC safari. according to nhtsa, this IS a known problem and yet the recall only covers from 95 and up models. if the problem was know to occur on the 1994 models, why doesn't the recall cover them? there have been several occassions in the…
I have a problem with the windshield wipers on my 1994' GMC safari. according to nhtsa, this IS a known problem and yet the recall only covers from 95 and up models. if the problem was know to occur on the 1994 models, why doesn't the recall cover them? there have been several occassions in the last 6 months when my wipers have failed and nearly cause me to be involved in an accident. I have had to pull over on the side of the road multiple times until they decided to work again. I shouldn't have to pay to have it fixed if it was a known problem and should have been included in the recall. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
Catasrtophic front suspension failure of the left torsion bar on a 1994 GMC safari AWD van. Apparently, the entire front suspension system must now be replaced due to "superseded parts" from gm. *nlm
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
The wipers stopped and changed speed setting on it's own. It was the second time the wiper module was replaced. Dealer notified. *nlm *cb *jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle IS experiencing the same failure with it's windshield wiper as stated in recall 03 v 159 000, but it's vin number or model year in not included. *tt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Moving in traffic at 20 mph. hit brakes for quick stop and van did not stop. hit car in front of us. *ak *nlm **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734314
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
Vehicle has ABS failure when driving in hazardous condition/weather. EX., snow, ice or rain. There IS a recall for ABS ecu 00 v 228 008, but this vehicle IS not included. Please provide more details. Ts
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Intermittent wiper motor (cf. Obi ID 869298) recalled on chevrolet S10 blazer. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
The windshield wipers tend to fail unexpectedly. the problem IS intermittent, but becoming progressively more frequent. my research has found that this problem has been reported on other GMC vehicles of about the same year of manufacture. gm recall # 98043, from 1998, apparently covers 1994,1995…
The windshield wipers tend to fail unexpectedly. the problem IS intermittent, but becoming progressively more frequent. my research has found that this problem has been reported on other GMC vehicles of about the same year of manufacture. gm recall # 98043, from 1998, apparently covers 1994,1995 and 1996 model year chevrolet and GMC trucks and suv's in the s/t and c/k series. I contacted GMC customer service and was informed that my vehicle (a 1994 GMC safari) IS not covered in the recall. the problem that I am experiencing IS identical to those involved in the recall. I believe that the problem IS far more pervasive than the specific vehicles covered in the recall. GMC has not provided me with any satisfaction in this matter.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column IS loose again for the second time. dealership had to take entire column apart and put it back together. owner IS uncomfortable due to dealership stating this IS unsafe to drive in that condition. please describe details.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Moving in traffic at 20 mph. hit brakes for quick stop and van did not stop. hit car in front of us. *ak
- Suspension › Front
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Intermittently windshield wipers stop while in motion and motor IS still running. problem has existed for 5 years. Dealer was never informed about ongoing problem.*ak consumer stated the problem IS sporadic, the wipers stopping running while driving on the highway.*jb
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
Front torsion bar broke while driving 25 mph. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
While driving right front torsion bar broke, and right front end dropped. dealer contacted.*ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
This will be the second compressor replaced in five years with numerous freon recharges due to leaks.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Windshield wiper
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.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 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.
- 634576Some customers may comment that the right rear door handle on the cargo door breaks.
- 608382Subject regarding ABS 3-sensor EBC4 - special policy.
- 52576Special policy adjustment - linear exhaust gas recirculation system.
- 52571Intermittent hestiations, low power, and rough running engine in cold temperatures (replace pcm).
- 51281Policy adjustment - linear exhaust gas recirculation system.
- 50561Insufficient a/c performance and/or noisy compressor clutch due to premature wear of the compressor shaft seals.
- 45821Inoperative or erratic speedometer and/or vehicle shifts down into second gear or will not shift out of second gear (replace connector C240).
- 45817Vehicle does not start readily upon cranking (replace fuel pump relay).
- 43025Unknown
- 41078Stepper motor cruise control will not resume or reset (replace smcc module).
- 39304Cold engine knock.
- 39297Inoperative or erratic speedometer and/or vehicle shifts down into second gear or will not shift out of second gear.
- 38072Hvac fan inoperative.
- 37947Oil pressure gauge reading concerns.
- 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.