1989 GMC Safari Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 117,260miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 GMC Safari (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1989 GMC Safari. The part named most often is steering, with 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by seat belts (5) and engine cooling (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 117,260 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage 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.
- Steering7 39%
- Seat belts5 28%
- Engine cooling3 17%
- Seats2 11%
- Body and structure2 11%
- Electrical system1 5.6%
- Exterior lighting1 5.6%
Example complaints
Steering: “The brackets on the front and back of the power steering pump have broken 3+ times and have caused the vehicle to be towed, pump, serpentine belt, brackets, fluid, and hose to be replaced. I would like to know why and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. Please help. Thank you. This has happened several times the most recent was last week. 08/18/2011”
NHTSA complaint #10420867, filed 2011-08Seat belts: “The consumer has been experiencing problems with seat belts. While driving the seat belt doesn't adjust, it's loose. It does not hold. This defect complies with recall 98v150000. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted. The bolt holding the engine bracket broke off.”
NHTSA complaint #830926, filed 1998-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 66,000 and 168,520 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 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.
- 93V119000Aug 2, 1993Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: GMC Safari 1988–1992, Chevrolet Blazer 1988–1992, Suburban 1988–1992 +6 more
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.
- 91V164000Sep 20, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: GMC Safari 1989–1991, Ford Aerostar 1989–1991, Chevrolet Astro 1989–1991 +1 more
Seat belt anchorage bar for rear sofa failed to sustain loads required by fmvss 210.
Recall details for the 1989 GMC Safari → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10028790Nov 1, 2010Brakes. General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will move down or self apply during full lock turns or near full lock turns. Chevrolet astro and…
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 1989 GMC Safari have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1989 GMC Safari as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 GMC Safari is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by seat belts with 5.
Has the 1989 GMC Safari been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 GMC Safari get?
The EPA rates the 1989 GMC Safari (Safari 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 GMC Safari reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 117,260 miles and the middle half falls between 66,000 and 168,520 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.