Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 GMC Safari, and it carries 2 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 | 41 | 27% |
| Visibility | 31 | 20% |
| Suspension | 16 | 10% |
| Air bags | 10 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 5% |
| Steering | 6 | 4% |
| Seats | 5 | 3% |
| Structure | 5 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SAFARI. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A ME
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE FUELING THE 1994 GMC SAFARI (15 WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE,, RESULTING IN STRIKING THE VEHICLE BEHIND IT. THE CONTACT REENTERED THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DRIVING A 1994 GMC SAFARI AWD AND AT A STOP HAD THE 41" TORSION BAR SNAPPED. SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT FROM SALVAGE YARDS BUT THEY HAVE STOPPED SELLING THEM DUE TO LIABILITY REASONS, NEED TO INSTALL ADJUSTMENT EQUIPMENT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHEN DRIVING DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THERE WERE NUMEROUS RECALLS ON OTHER YEAR AND MAKES OF THE SAFARI VANS
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE VAN WAS GOING DOWN THE I25 NORTH OF DENVER WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR SNAPPED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY RACE CARS AND BRINING THE VAN TO A STOP WAS THE HARDEST I HAVE EVER DONE. BY DRIVING SKILLS, LUCK AND THE GOOD L
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WE HAD A PROBLEM IN A MALL PARKING LOT WHEREIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH BOARD, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, RADIO) FAILED AT THE VERY SAME TIME AS THE TRANSMISSION, W
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON A TRIP, DURING TRAVEL IN A RAINSTORM. ON ONE OCCASION, I PULLED OVER AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT SIDE RUNNING BOARD DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW AND NEED
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
RECALL COMPLAINT NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V159/GM RECALL NO. 03023.THE (ABOVE) RECALL IS CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM THAT FAILS DUE TO A BAD CIRCUIT BOARD/MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE MANY VEHICLES INVOL
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
THE MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATION LABEL AND/OR THE DRIVER AIR BAG ADVISORY LABEL MAY BE MISSING FROM THE VEHICLES, WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF 49 CFR 567.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OWNERS OF VEHICLE WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THE LOAD CAPACITY OF THE VANS, THE VAN BUILD DATE, AND WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ASSURANCE THAT THE VANS MEET THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE S
Fix: THE LABELS WILL BE FURNISHED TO OWNER'S FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| 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 154 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 41 of them (27%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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 70/100. 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.