1993 GMC Safari Problems
- Complaints
- 61filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 17 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 GMC Safari (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this 1993 GMC Safari most often describe brake problems, particularly with the ABS system: a pedal that sinks toward the floor, wheels that lock up in wet or slippery conditions, and longer stopping distances. Complaints also cover front torsion bars that snap and drop the front of the van, plus miscellaneous electrical, transmission and cooling faults. Many reports come from older, high-mileage vans, so condition and maintenance history matter more than mileage alone.
- Brakes
ABS pedal sinks to floor / brakes fail to stop
- 21 complaints (34%)
- typically at 4.3 yrs old
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2001
Owners describe the brake pedal going all the way to the floor with little or no braking response, sometimes needing a release-and-reapply to slow the van. Several say the problem appears in wet weather or when the road is slippery, with the wheels locking and the van sliding. According to complaints, some dealers found no fault or called the brakes dirty, while others could not retrieve a diagnostic code. Reported across a wide range of mileages, most often in wet or slippery conditions.
What to check: Have the brake and ABS system inspected, and ask for records of any ABS service. Drive the van in wet conditions if possible and confirm pedal feel and straight, short stops.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When I applied the brakes in the snow I get a moaning noise (like someone playing a wind instrument poorly) and it takes forever to stop and it goes into a uncontrolled skid.”
NHTSA complaint #716974, filed 2000-01“Abs fail when wet allowing wheels to lock up. No code is generated in computer. Dealer lost without code. When system is dry and operating, if a slippery condition encountered after brakes have been applied; computer actuates but vehicle does not attempt to stop. This condition started in 1996 and continues today. No failure code is generated when system fails. Originaly one speed sensor was replaced at onset of problem.”
NHTSA complaint #703281, filed 1999-02 - Suspension
Front torsion bar snaps and front end drops
Mentioned in 5 of 37 sampled complaints
Complaints describe the front torsion bar breaking, often while the van is parked, with the front corner dropping onto the frame or tire. Some owners say the dealer told them the original spring design is no longer available and that both torsion bars need replacing. Others mention idler arm wear alongside the front-end work. Mostly reported on high-mileage vans, above 180,000 miles in the complaints that state mileage.
What to check: Inspect both front torsion bars and their adjuster sleeves for cracks or prior replacement, and ask whether either bar has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“1993 Gmc Safari all wheel drive 7-passenger standard wheel base van with 42 torsion bar front springs and 182,000 miles. The driver's side front torsion spring broke inside the adjuster sleeve at the frame crossmember, dropping the driver's side onto the frame. While this failure occurred while the vehicle was parked, just three days before I had used the van to take a trip with my family on the interstate at 70 MPH. A failure here would have been catastrophic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10136399, filed 2005-09, 182,000 miles“Gm of canada and the transport canada has been notified of this problem. Gm response is that if they detect a problem with a component they will investigate although it sounded more like a brush off. They claim that there is not a problem at this time with the torsion bar failure. The person I spoke with at transport canada was aware of 5 other reported cases of torsion bar failure on this model in the past two months. A GM dealer contacted in hamilton ontario had another request for torsion bar replacements yesterday. …”
NHTSA complaint #711098, filed 1999-09 - Electrical system
Electrical faults and stalling
Mentioned in 4 of 37 sampled complaints
Owners describe alternator and serpentine belt failures that lead to stalling, and instances where the electrical system shut down and power steering became heavy. One complaint notes exposed wiring near the console and parking brake mount shorting against metal. Several report repeated alternator replacements. Reported across a range of ages and mileages, with no clear mileage pattern in the sample.
What to check: Check charging voltage and the condition of the serpentine belt, and look for chafed or exposed wiring near the console, mirrors and parking brake.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“We feel that this van has had more than it's share of repairs. It has been towed home from cambridge md twice. Once due to alternator freezing up and breaking belt, and once for faulty ignition. It has had 4 alternators, an AC sensor, compressor and orafice. The rt. Ft. Pass. Door has had: new elec. Motor, window glide, weatherstripping. I've had 3 EGR valves installed, an o ring replaced, and 3 motor mounts replaced. Power steering pump and hose replaced. I've had the roof repainted. …”
NHTSA complaint #734877, filed 2000-10“Power mirror wire harness near 5 amp inline fuse has rubbed on emegency break mount. This has resulted in the white wire for the left power mirror being stripped to the point that the wire conductor is in direct contact with the emergency brake mount causing a short. A similar problem occured last year with a wire for the dome lights behind the roof console. That wire was totaly exposed and shorting to a console mount attached to the roof of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #724003, filed 2000-06
Buying note. Check the brakes and ABS carefully on a wet-road test drive, and inspect the front torsion bars and transfer case mounts on higher-mileage vans. Service records showing recent brake and charging-system work are worth asking for.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1993 GMC Safari. 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Brakes30 49%
- Suspension7 11%
- Electrical system6 9.8%
- Steering5 8.2%
- Engine cooling3 4.9%
- Fuel system3 4.9%
- Seats2 3.3%
- Equipment1 1.6%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “I just signed up for this on my computer and I got a recall notice on the ABS system. I called my local dealer to find out what to do about it and they said they have no idea what I'm talkin' about. The NHTSA campaign # is 99i006000 and stated that the dealers are to modify the computer program which operates the ABS unit.”
NHTSA complaint #736210, filed 2000-11Suspension: “Exceptionally dangerous spontaneous shearing of front left torsion bar. Gmc must know of this problem, because they have completely redesigned the torsion bars, requiring a major retrofitting (at the owner's expense) of the van's cross frame member. Fortunately for us, this major component of the suspension broke while the car was parked. Other reports on the internet describe the part as breaking while driving, instantly dropping the left side of the car until the tire hits the wheel well and throwing the car violently to the left.”
NHTSA complaint #764355, filed 2002-07Transmission and drivetrain: “The brackets on both sides of the transfer case, which held the front axle in place. Consumer very concerned about transfer case dropping while vehicle is in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #10030147, filed 2003-08, 124,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 124,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1993 GMC Safari. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari · 3 DR | not rated | 3 / 1 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 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) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
| Safari 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Safari 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $5,150 |
| Safari AWD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
| Safari AWD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $5,500 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1993 GMC Safari in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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
What are the most common problems with the 1993 GMC Safari?
Owners of this 1993 GMC Safari most often describe brake problems, particularly with the ABS system: a pedal that sinks toward the floor, wheels that lock up in wet or slippery conditions, and longer stopping distances. The issues reported most often: ABS pedal sinks to floor / brakes fail to stop; Front torsion bar snaps and front end drops; Electrical faults and stalling.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 GMC Safari have?
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1993 GMC Safari as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 GMC Safari is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 30 complaints (49% of the total), followed by suspension with 7.
Has the 1993 GMC Safari been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 GMC Safari get?
The EPA rates the 1993 GMC Safari (Safari 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 GMC Safari reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 124,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.