AI Damage2003 GMC Safari: common problems
Owners of the 2003 GMC Safari filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 39% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (39% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 1 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.
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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 contact stated that while driving 45 mph, he crashed head-on into another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries reported. A police report was not filed. The failure and current mileage was 126,000.
The brake lines in front are rusted out and leaking creating a serious problem, as the brakes are not working. I see this is a re-occurring problem with gmc vehicles. The cost to repair is astronomical. Why isn't gmc recalling these vehicles?
Each time, the pedal just dropped to the floor, the "brake" light came on, and we have had to practically stand on the brake pedal to get it to finally roll to a stop. Fortunately it has been at slow speeds each time and we have not caused any accidents yet.
A certified inspector showed us that all four rear seat belts do not lock when pulled quickly indicating that the seatbelts would not restrain the child in an accident (or an adult either). Took the vehicle back to the dealer.
He lifted the hood and noticed the clamp that held the brake line was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire, and the vehicle was towed to his residence. He changed the brake line hose, and drove the vehicle for about a mile at 35 mph.
While driving at any speed steering wheel vibrated. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
During the test drive, prior to purchase, there was a harmonic roar noise vibration coming from the rear.
Consumer received recall 03v328000. Recall repairs were performed at dealership. After recall repairs were performed consumer noticed tires were wearing very badly on the outside, and were losing all tread. Took vehicle to tire dealer, and was informed that tires were not rotated after recall repairs were performed.
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 8,624 of 36,659 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
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
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 200225 sources
- Safari 20045 sources
- Safari 20054 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (17%), vibration (17%), airbags did not deploy (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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 2026-11-06.