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GMC SafariModel year report

2002 GMC Safari Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,265miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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 / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 GMC Safari (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Safari. The part named most often is brakes, with 12 complaints (48% of the total), followed by suspension (4) and electrical system (3). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 78% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,265 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 303 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch and 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

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.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “My 2002 Gmc Safari would not start. I went and replaced the 2.5 year old battery (it was leaking at the terminals) it started one time and then about 45 minutes later it was dead again. It was towed to the dealer. I was first informed that the charging system was o.k. And that the probable cause was the battery was not fully charged. I was then informed that the brake light was on the dash and a brake lining was leaking. They recommended to replace both linings and flush the system and fill with fresh fluid. …”

NHTSA complaint #10273158, filed 2009-06, 76,306 miles

Suspension: “When backing out of garage brakes failed and the pedal went all the way to the floor. Dealer told me there was no brake problems, but could be ABS sensors rusted or had dirt build up. The dealer cleaned ABS sensors and sprayed a rust inhibitor on sensors and hubs , and said they hoped this would solve the problem. If problem persists to come back.”

NHTSA complaint #10148491, filed 2006-01, 43,514 miles

Electrical system: “Vehicle has experienced severe electrical problems. While driving power locks intermittently popped up and down on their own. Right side windows will go down, but will not come back up with out physically pulling them up by hand. Dome light popped on intermittently, and the vehicle had to be jump started at least six times since eleven months of ownership.”

NHTSA complaint #10034112, filed 2003-08, 2,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The heater blower motor doesn't operate in high humidity unless I unplug and replug the connection at the motor under the hood. It is an 02 Gmc Safari cargo van with 48k mi.”

NHTSA complaint #10078860, filed 2004-06, 45,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

78% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 45,000 miles.

17%0–1022%10–2539%25–506%50–7511%75–1006%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,265 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200352005200720092017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Safari · 3 DR not rated3 / 4———

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 2002 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Safari 2WD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141816$4,200
Safari 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152017$3,950
Safari AWD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Safari AWD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450

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

Recall details for the 2002 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. 303 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 303 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Safari

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2004517,0000—16—Not enough data
20031846,4001—16—Stable
20022532,2651—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20013952,8251—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20006851,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19996165,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19988971,0003—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199713580,0004—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199613993,6154—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995195112,0003—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1994119107,5001—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19936180,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19925999,2501—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199139162,0003—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199035—4—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198918117,2603—18—Stable
19887—2—18—Not enough data
1987111,9121—18—Not enough data
19867—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 2002 GMC Safari have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Safari as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 GMC Safari is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 12 complaints (48% of the total), followed by suspension with 4.

Has the 2002 GMC Safari been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC Safari get?

The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Safari (Safari 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 GMC Safari reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,265 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 45,000 miles; 78% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.