AI Damage1989 GMC Safari: common problems
Owners of the 1989 GMC Safari filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 39% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 28% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 7 complaints (39% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (11% 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, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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 brackets on the front and back of the power steering pump have broken 3+ times and have caused the vehicle to be towed, pump, serpentine belt, brackets, fluid, and hose to be replaced. I would like to know why and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. Please help. Thank you.
Random failure of the windshield wipers when vehicle is in motion. Very spooky when it happens at night. When questioned the dealership is not aware of any problem. But they knew just what the problem is and they have a fix.
Front van captains chair frame and track, has had to be repair several times. Seat lifts up, does not stay secured to track.
The aluminum or similar material bracket which connects the electronically-controlled driver's seat to the floor guides is "ripped" --- not completely but enough to make the seat insecure and definitely unsafe in a sudden stop or impact.
On going electrical problems since before I bought it, but even when I had a rebuilt engine put in by miles chev, millington,tn in july 97 at 146,737 miles ,nothing was said about any engine fires...most mechanics said it was a "minor" electrial problem...the "service engine soon" light came on when it needed oil, and…
The consumer has been experiencing problems with seat belts. While driving the seat belt doesn't adjust, it's loose. It does not hold. This defect complies with recall 98v150000. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted. The bolt holding the engine bracket broke off.
Rear seat belt failed under hard braking. Also, power steering pump rear bracket malfunctioned.
While getting into vehicle driver's side handle broke off door into driver's hand, the passenger's side handle has not broken. Dealer has not seen anything like it.
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 8,622 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Safari has 52 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 18, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
- Safari 19867 sources
- Safari 198711 sources
- Safari 19887 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 1989 GMC Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, seat belts, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (22%), steering or power steering problems (22%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 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 1989 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 1989 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.