1999 GMC Safari Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems — slipping, harsh 1-2 shifts, loss of reverse or overdrive — and brake complaints, particularly ABS engaging at low speed, pedal going to the floor, and repeated rotor/pad wear. Many reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, though some transmission and brake complaints appear much earlier. Cooling-system and fuel-injector complaints also recur in the sample.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifts, no reverse or overdrive

   • 12 complaints (20%)
   • median 70,500 mi at 5.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2005

   Complaints describe the automatic transmission slipping between first and second gear, clunking or jolting on shifts, and in some cases a sudden loss of reverse and overdrive. Several owners say the dealer rebuilt or replaced the transmission, and some report being told the failure was a known internal part problem. Others describe the repair as a major overhaul at significant cost, with warranty coverage disputed because of the vehicle's age or mileage. Reported from about 26,000 to 110,000 miles, with many between 44,000 and 88,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and check that reverse and overdrive engage properly on a test drive, including a cold start. Note whether the 1-2 shift feels harsh or delayed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Red engine light came on transmission was jumping into gear, with 26,000 miles, took to dealer they found nothing wrong. Took trip to florida red light came on took to aamco transmission (36,000 mi) found problem,850$, said this was common with this vehicle. Gmc paid me half, going to court with dealer for other half. My warranty was over due to years.”

   NHTSA complaint #10021337, filed 2003-06, 26,000 miles

   “I own a 1999 Gmc Safari that had its transmission fail at less than 50,000 miles. It failed before its first scheduled maintenance. I contacted the dealer and was told I was out of the 3/36 warranty period so I was out of luck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032542, filed 2003-08, 40,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed or brakes pull, pedal goes to floor

   • 11 complaints (18%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2006

   Owners describe the ABS activating and grinding at low speeds when no slip is present, extending stopping distance, and in some cases the brake pedal sinking to the floor. Other complaints describe the van pulling hard to one side under braking, and dealers reportedly found corroded or failed wheel-speed sensors, sometimes requiring replacement of the hub/bearing assembly. Several owners say the problem returned after repairs, and some report the ABS light staying on. Mostly reported between about 5,000 and 110,000 miles, often at low-speed braking.

   11 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test braking at low speed on a quiet surface and watch for ABS pulsing or grinding without wheel slip; ask whether the ABS light works and whether wheel-speed sensors or hubs were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When brakeing van will pull very hard to right. After 1st time in shop the van went about 6,000 miles before problem accurred again. After the 2nd time fixed the van went 5,000 when the problem was so bad that I was pulling the steering wheel to left every time I had to brake to prevent going to the right. Just dropped van off with dealer for 4th time with only 1500 miles since last repair. Now we are fighting the dealer about the rental car.”

   NHTSA complaint #719077, filed 2000-02

   “Accident occurred due to ABS failure. Accident occurred approx. 10 miles from my residence in a school zone. I was traveling at approx. 30 MPH (35 MPH posted), following other autos and when autos in front of me slowed, I pressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor with no positive results. There was no warning that the brakes were going to perform improperly and I was not attempting to make a sudden stop. Due to the brake failure, I impacted the rear-end of another vehicle, which subsequently hit the auto in front of it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #747406, filed 2001-06
3. 3
   Brakes

   Repeated rotor and pad wear, brake shudder

   • 7 complaints (11%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2004

   Complaints describe front rotors warping or grooving and the van shuddering or shimmying when the brakes are applied, sometimes within the first 30,000 miles. Owners report rotors turned or replaced more than once and pads and shoes replaced at short intervals, with dealers describing it as normal wear rather than a covered repair. Most often reported below 40,000 miles, with repeat occurrences afterward.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for a pulsation through the pedal or steering wheel when braking from highway speed, and ask for receipts showing how often rotors and pads were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front rotors were warped and grooved to the point that turning them would have made them to thin for safe use. I have never owned a car that the rotors warped so badly at less than 30,000 miles. In my opinion and my mechanics, Gmc is installing inferior rotors at a great expense to it's customers. Dt”

   NHTSA complaint #769992, filed 2002-11

   “There was no failures on the brakes but the pads and shoes have had to be replaced at 15,000 and at 30,000 miles. This, I feel, is excessive and the dealer can offer me no explanation as to why a brand new cars brakes would go bad this often.”

   NHTSA complaint #736021, filed 2000-11
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Repeated fuel injector problems and rough running

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 1.2 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2002

   Owners report recurring fuel injector failures, with the service engine soon light coming on, rough running, no-start or stalling while driving. Complaints describe dealers flushing the injection system, replacing injectors, and in some cases replacing the fuel pump relay, connectors, or a leaking fuel pressure regulator. Several owners say the same injector problem came back multiple times. Reported across a wide mileage range, including low-mileage vans.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records on injector replacement and fuel system cleaning, and check whether the engine idles smoothly and starts reliably from cold and warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Conusmers vehicle has been in for repairs of the fuel injectors six times. Vehicle is not running properly because of the failure. The service engine soon light illuminated resulting in necessary flushing of the injectors. The fuel pressure regulator is leaking and the fuel tank filler pipe needed replacing.”

   NHTSA complaint #565977, filed 2002-06

   “The vehicles fuel system is faulty causing the vehicle to exhibit a no start or stall condition while driving, the dealer has replaced fuel pump relay, 4 terminal connectors at the power distribution center, the check engine light illuminated and the dealer replaced all six injectors. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #561209, filed 2001-05
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal moves or self-applies at full turns

   • 11 complaints (18%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2005

   Some owners report the brake pedal dropping or applying by itself while turning near full lock, such as in parking maneuvers. Service bulletins for this vehicle describe the condition and advise that the hydro-boost unit is not serviceable and requires replacement if the pedal moves or applies on its own during full turns. Reported at various mileages, typically during low-speed full-lock turns.

   9 related service bulletins

   What to check: At a standstill or in a parking lot, turn the wheel to full lock and press the brake to see whether the pedal moves or the van creeps; ask whether the hydro-boost unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gm is refusing to fix problem. They claim that front brakes are over heated and rotors blue. Suggest that customer change driving habits and use transmission lower gears to assist slowing vehicle. All this accured between 35,693 miles and 37,389 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #719101, filed 2000-02

   “When applying the brakes the vehicle shimmies excessively. This happens everytime the brakes are applied. Dlr replaced the brakes 4 times. Still no solution.”

   NHTSA complaint #847788, filed 1999-09

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with these vans is worthwhile, focusing on transmission operation in all gears and on the brakes at low speed. Service records showing transmission work and brake or wheel-sensor repairs help show whether the commonly reported problems have already been addressed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 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.