AI Damage1987 GMC Safari: common problems
Owners of the 1987 GMC Safari filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 36% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 27% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 18% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 18% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 9% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (36% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (18% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle was involved in a collision, and the seat belt did not perform as designed.
Customer wants to know how to replace the door handles on a 1987 safari van*
Consumer was backing into garage, put gear shift into park and vehicle took off backwards second time while waiting for some people to cross. Consumer's foot was still on the brakes and tires were spinning. Consumer had to put car in neutral to get it to stop.
Many other occurances can't find any used parts anywhere recyclers say very popular occurance
Intermittently the restraints will not retract. The driver has to tie a knot in the rear reestraint to properly secure the css . Dealer will be contacted.
Bracket that holds all moving components (air compressor, air pump, power steering pump, water pump) cracked.
Bracket holding power steering unit cracked, sheering off the mounting bolt, causing belt to come off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Safari has 52 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 11, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Safari 19867 sources
- Safari 19887 sources
- Safari 198918 sources
- Safari 199035 sources
- Safari 199139 sources
- Safari 199259 sources
- Safari 199361 sources
- Safari 1994119 sources
- Safari 1995195 sources
- Safari 1996139 sources
- Safari 1997135 sources
- Safari 199889 sources
- Safari 199961 sources
- Safari 200068 sources
- Safari 200139 sources
- Safari 200225 sources
- Safari 200318 sources
- Safari 20045 sources
- Safari 20054 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 GMC Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, seat belts. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (18%), brake failure (9%), door locks, latches, handles (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 GMC Safari?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 GMC Safari from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.