AI Damage2002 GMC Safari: common problems
Owners of the 2002 GMC Safari filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 48% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 12% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 8% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 12 complaints (48% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
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 25 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 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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 air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained lower back pain, a bruised toe, a forehead gash, and damage to the ribs. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified.
The airbags failed to deploy. As a result, the driver broke her back. A police report was taken. Please describe further.
Vehicle shuddered, the abs kicked in, and a collision occurred. Consumer felt that the brakes failed. The dealer have been notified of the problem.
Vehicle had brake failure while going down an incline. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor but didn't hold. The vehicle was totaled. Consumer felt gm should replace the vehicle.
My 2002 gmc safari would not start. I went and replaced the 2.5 year old battery (it was leaking at the terminals) it started one time and then about 45 minutes later it was dead again. It was towed to the dealer. I was first informed that the charging system was o.k.
Tl contact owns a 2002 gmc safari. The contact stated that the brake lights worked intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and they stated that the repair required them to dismantle some of the major components to better access the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
Had to replace transmission at 39,000 miles. Then again at 131,000 miles. Now it is back in the shop with transmission problems yet to be determined at 149,000 miles. Judging from the complaints on the internet, this seems to be a defect that is costing the consumer a bundle of money.
You can feel the vibration of the engine as well as hear it. The manufacture will try to place more installation on, however they stated the defect is not reversible.
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 7,448 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Safari has 52 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 25, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 199889 sources
- Safari 199961 sources
- Safari 200068 sources
- Safari 200139 sources
- Safari 200318 sources
- Safari 20045 sources
- Safari 20054 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, suspension, electrical system. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (16%), windows, sunroof (12%), airbags did not deploy (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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.