AI DamagePontiac Safari: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Pontiac Safari across 3 model years: 6 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Visibility: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1987–1989
- automatic, 4-speed 1987–1989
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Car would run rough and stall when in traffic, causing loss of power brakes. Tps replaced four times.
The windshield wiper controls turn on and work fine at all speeds. However, when you try to turn the wipers off, (turn the wiper controll to the "off" position, you cannot do so unless you stop the car and turn off the engine.
Unable to get the fluid from the windshield wiper motor to clean the windows. There appears to be a electrical short.the plastic piece to the windshield wiper arm is broken.consumer contacted dealer.
Master cylinder failed. Vehicle did not slow down or stopped when brakes were applied. Had taken to dealer & had master cylinder replaced, but problem still continues.
The tilt wheel column is very loose and moves left and right.
Engine compartment fire, while the vehicle was being driven, unknown causes. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
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.