AI Damage1990 GMC Safari: common problems
Owners of the 1990 GMC Safari filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 35
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 43% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 15 complaints (43% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 6 complaints (17% of all).
- Seat belts: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Seats: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (6% 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, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 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.
In panic stop abs brakes failed, vehicle rolled forward, causing extended stopping distance,once resulting in an accident, also abs light came on.
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,…
Vehicle also would vibrate while driving at 65 mph. Steering column loose and needed to be tightened.
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. The front and the rear seats are reclining seat for this van unlike other vans.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 6,335 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Safari has 52 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 35, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
- Safari 19867 sources
- Safari 198711 sources
- Safari 19887 sources
- Safari 198918 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 1990 GMC Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, structure, seat belts. Total complaints: 35. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), brake failure (14%), seat belts (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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.