Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 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 | 18 | 20% |
| Power train | 15 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 5% |
| Tires | 4 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
| Seats | 3 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SAFARI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAN ACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SAFARI. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2005, THE STEERING IDLER ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAS LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT HAS PUT 30,00
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S ABS SENSOR UNIT FAILED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR UNIT THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1999 GMC SAFARI TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SEE GM TSB #00-07-30-002 DATED 11/2000. 1ST-2ND LATE SHIFT, REVERSE, 2ND, & 4TH GEAR CAUSED IMMEDIATE FAILURE. ALL REQUIRED TRANSMISSION SERVICE PERFORMED BY DEALER ON THIS VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS TRAVELING ON MY JOB. I WAS IN ATLANTA GA. AND IT WAS RAINING. TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN AND I LIGHTLY APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THEY LOCKED DOWN CAUSING THE YUKON TO SLIDE. I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS H
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
DT: ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE PROBLEM BEGAN. WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS ABOUT 5-10 MPH ABS KICKS IN AND A GRINDING SOUND OCCURS. THIS CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. ALL WHEEL DRIVE, ALL WHEEL ANTILOCK TO THE OWNER'S KN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THIS MORNING (5/4/05) WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 GMC SAFARI, I EXPERIENCED A JOLT AND A HIGH RPM REV AND A LONG 1-2 SHIFT. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION (1/4 MILE UP THE ROAD) AND THEN DISCOVERED THAT I HAD NO REVERSE. I IMMEDIATEL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
EMAIL FM ROBERT CARTER (TX) RE GMC REFUSING TO REPAIR A RECALL ENGINE PART FREE OF CHARGE ON HIS GMC SAFARI VAN SINCE HE MISSED THE RECALL CUT OFF DATE WHILE ON MILITARY DUTY OVERSEAS.*MR *NM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 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 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE R
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 18 of them (20%). 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 1999 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.