1997 GMC Safari Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 16%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,568miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 GMC Safari, 16% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,568 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“97 Safari consistently sets p1870 code, transmission slips when warmed up. The vehicle shift extremely hard (actually slip)1st-2nd-3rd. Hard enough a significant chance of u-joint breakage, uncontrolled tire spinning on ice/slick roads, (I have experienced),whiplash type experience under moderate acceleration. This sudden shift also attributed to causing interior components such as center console to shake loose. Several instances have caused items in center column cup holder to fall out and spill. …”
NHTSA complaint #10016477, filed 2003-04, 85,000 miles“I have repeatly taken this car to a GM dealer for the problem. They charged me twice and finally admitted they could not find problem. Therefore, it left me no choice but to go to any independent transmission dealer, who advised me this is a ongoing Gmc problem due to poor techancial design. Gm realizes this problem, yet has turned me down for reinbursement due to my having it fixed by independent. All my service work had been previously done by dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #749333, filed 2001-07“Additionally, upon repair of failed powertrain transmission and after spekaing to another Safari owner who had similair faiure, it is also apparnet that the heat sensor to the transmission failed to evoke the check engine light etc.. But the failure code was stored into the onboard computer system. This potentially hazardous situation may be occurring more frequently. I do not have any way of obtaining any failure data so that I can run some regression analysis. …”
NHTSA complaint #747170, filed 2001-06“1997 Gmc Safari complete power failure which negates power steering, power brakes, and is a danger to me and my family! I never know when the power will go out. It has gone out on at least 10 occasions since I purchased the vehicle. Also, the transmission slams into gear on occasion at no specific interval. There can be several days seperating the incidents; no logical pattern. I have taken the vehicle to martin cadillac in los angeles at least 4 times to have these problems fixed and so far they have been unable to duplicate the problems and make the fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10030456, filed 2003-07“Dt: the contact stated the transmission failed . He contacted the dealership, and had repair work done in may 2005. In september 2005 the transmission failed completely. He contacted the manufacturer, they contacted the dealership. The dealership offered to refund the money for service toward a new transmission, but this repair has not currently been made.”
NHTSA complaint #10141457, filed 2005-11Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 20% |
| 2003 | 2 | 11% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% |
| 1999 | 19 | 31% |
| 1998 | 8 | 9% |
| 1997 | 21 | 16% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 6 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1991 | 7 | 18% |
| 1989 | 2 | 11% |
| 1987 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Safari
29 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 GMC Safari
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology