1986 GMC Safari Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 GMC Safari (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 GMC Safari. The part named most often is seats, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine cooling (1). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seats complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seats3 43%
- Brakes1 14%
- Engine cooling1 14%
- Exterior lighting1 14%
- Seat belts1 14%
- Steering1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
- Tires1 14%
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 GMC Safari version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V187000Nov 16, 1993SeatsCovers: GMC Safari 1985–1991, Chevrolet Astro 1985–1991, Suburban 1989–1990 +1 more
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl between them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft" joint results in lower than specified bolt torque which leads to joint looseness, causing bolt fatigue and eventual bolt failure.
Recall details for the 1986 GMC Safari → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 GMC Safari.
Other model years of the GMC Safari
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 17,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 18 | 46,400 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 25 | 32,265 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 39 | 52,825 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 68 | 51,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 61 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 89 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 135 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 139 | 93,615 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 195 | 112,000 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 119 | 107,500 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 61 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 59 | 99,250 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 39 | 162,000 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 35 | — | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 18 | 117,260 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 11 | 1,912 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Safari model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 GMC Safari have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 GMC Safari as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 GMC Safari is reported most often?
Seats is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1986 GMC Safari been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 GMC Safari get?
The EPA rates the 1986 GMC Safari (Safari 2WD (cargo), 2.5L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.