Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 GMC Safari, and it carries 6 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 | 48 | 24% |
| Suspension | 31 | 15% |
| Visibility | 28 | 14% |
| Air bags | 16 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3% |
| Structure | 6 | 3% |
| Seats | 5 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WAS DRIVING TO WORK ABOUT 25MPH THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ACCELERATION WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE TO A PARKING LOT BUT ENDED UP HAVING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHICH I WAS IN FORMED THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED BUT COULD SMELL
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
1995 GMC SAFARI. CONSUMER STATES THE REAR SPRINGS ARE CARBON FIBER AND HAVE DELAMINATED. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT CAUSED AN UNSTABLE CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE'S BODY WAS NOT PROPERLY
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I HAVE A 95 GMC SAFARI THAT WAS EQUIPED WITH DEXCOOL COOLANT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE FREEZEOUT PLUGS, THAT HAVE BEEN EATEN AWAY BY THE COOLANT. THERE ARE SEVERAL LAW SUITS BUT NONE OF THEM INCLUDE SAFARI OR ASTRO VANS
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC SAFARI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE FRONT TORSION BAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SNAPPED IN HALF. THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
CRASH IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT CORNER/BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER COMING FROM THE SIDE , THE DRIVER'S LEFT. DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING RESPONSE DUE TO FAILURE OF ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT RESULTED IN SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO ONCOMING
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1995 GMC SAFARI LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A FENCE. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Tires
95 GMC SAFARI/95 CHEVY ASTRO I HAVE OWNED 3 OF THESE MODELS SINCE 1995 AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL 3 OF THEM. THE FUSIBLE LINK CONNECTION LOCATED BEHIND THE BATTERY WHERE POWER GOES INTO THE FUSE PAN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1995 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).
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND D
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 48 of them (24%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. 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.