Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 GMC Safari, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 30 | 45% |
| Suspension | 10 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 8% |
| Power train | 5 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Child seat | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED ONTO THE FRONT TIRES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT IN USE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT THE SHOCKS DID NOT RE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
AS FOR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY. I OPENED THE DOOR OF MY VAN AND FOUND THE SMELL OF MELTING PLASTIC COMING OUT OF IT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER, WHICH I US
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE A 1992 GMC SAFARI VAN. IT HAS NO ANCHOR SYSTEM FOR A CHILD SEAT AND GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATES NO REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH A SYSTEM. IT IS MY OPION THAT JUST LIKE OTHER VEHICLES THE VAN SHOULD HAVE AN ANCHOR SYSTE
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
WHILE WIFE AN FAMILY WERE IN VAN, PASSENGER SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED, SLAMMING RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE DOWN. AWD DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND CAUSING FAMILY TO BECOME STRANDED. GM HAS DISCONTINUED REPLACEMENTS, A CONVERSION
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR SNAPPED IN TWO PLACES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
ABS SYSTEM FAILED. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY STILL HAD BRAKES. *AK ABS FAILED WHEN CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. T
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND REMAINS ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE REAR BRAKES PROVIDE VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. REAR BRAKE SHOES SHOW VERY LITTLE WEAR EVEN AFTER 60,000 MILES. RECENT ARTICLE IN PAPER HIGHLIGHTS THE PROBLEM. IT DIRECTS THE CAUSE TOWARD THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 GMC Safari. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PR
Risk: A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE N
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 30 of them (45%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.