1998 GMC Safari Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 GMC Safari, 9% of the 89 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1998 Gmc Safari van automatic transmission model 700, failured at 93,000 miles due to a 3rd gear slippage. I found in my research to fix this problem this was common for Gmc trucks with this transmission for this to fail between 90,000 and 100,000 even with scheduled service. Gmc agreed to replace with a factory rebuild, which they did but at my cost of $2,300.00, with a 36 month/50,000 mile warranty. I could not find any tech service bulletins or recalls on your web site, do you have anyother information. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110285, filed 2005-02, 93,000 miles“I had the automatic transmission on this vehicle repaired on 3 different occasions in the 3 years I have owned it. The dealer did it twice under the extended warranty I had on it, the third time was 3,000 miles after the warranty ended an aamoco transmissions repaired it. This was the first week of december 2002. The transmission is again shifting hard and jumping into gear after stopping for red light or any such incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10014055, filed 2003-04“Numerous failure of the windshield wipers to operate ( sometimes they work sometimes they don't, when they do finally come on they won't turn off). Transmission problems disabled the vehicle on 3 occasions. Vehicle showing same symptoms of 1997 which was recalled”
NHTSA complaint #10100358, filed 2004-11“Transmission was replaced, failed again twelve hours after we got it back! Then all was fine until 4-17-99 when the transmission slipped again. Dealership is currently looking into fixing it again.”
NHTSA complaint #705925, filed 1999-04Related service bulletins
- 10096073Feb 17, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 10114916Oct 21, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
Transmission 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 1998 GMC Safari
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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