AI Damage1998 GMC Safari: common problems
Owners of the 1998 GMC Safari filed 89 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and visibility. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 89
- involving a crash
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (16% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 10 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (9% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 8 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 89 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 | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 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.
While driving 20-25mph and going straight vehicle made a popping noise, and steering failed. Vehicle was forced to go into a ditch due to steering wheel not being able to turn. There was one injury. Dealer was notified, and replaced steering gear box.
Driver could not avoid hitting other vehicle due to steering locking up when applying the brakes.
Consumer was involved in a 30 mph head-on collision in which driver's and passenger air bags did not deploy. Please give any further details.
Was crossing a 4- lane highway when another vehicle broadsided safari. Upon impact, neither air bags deployed. Driver suffered spinal injury and was hospitalized. Police report included.
While traveling approximately 70mph right front wheel came off with 21,000 miles on vehicle due to 5 bolts shearing off. Maintained control of vehicle. Took damaged parts to manufacturer & was informed that it was not their problem. Has all reports pertaining to bolts. Called hotline & left several messages.
While traveling on the highway at705mph, front passenger's side wheel separated from the rotor because all five lugs, nuts, & bolts came off. Dealer has been contacted. Manufacturer was informed & declared not their problem.
During frontal impact at 40 mph the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Please provide details.
Excessive corrosion of hydraulic brake lines. Brake lines so corroded that they are cracking and splitting leaking fluid and necessitating expensive repairs. Corrosion also noted on fuel lines, and vehicle undercarriage.
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 3,835 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Safari has 52 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 89, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- 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 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 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 1998 GMC Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 89. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (7%), steering or power steering problems (7%), brake failure (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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.