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GMC SafariModel year report

2004 GMC Safari Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
17,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 GMC Safari (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2004 GMC Safari. The part named most often is suspension, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and equipment (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 379 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Suspension: “The rear end was making a noise and was taken to the car dealer checked the vehicle. The dealer said that the problem was with the carrier bearings and the ring & pinion (factory defect). The vehicle has been making this noise since it was purchased and the warranty will not cover repairs. The cost is estimated to be 1500.00 dollars. We have sent it to the dealer on 3 different occasions and they say the warranty refuses to pay for the repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #10239746, filed 2008-08, 17,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2004 Gmc Safari awd. The contact was driving approximately 3-5 MPH and coming to a stop when the ABS activated abnormally and caused the brakes to pulsate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised the contact that the hubs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. Updated 03/23/12 updated 04/09/12”

NHTSA complaint #10440549, filed 2011-12, 180,000 miles

Equipment: “The contact owns a 2004 Gmc Safari. The contact stated that the vacuum hose failed in her vehicle. She took the vehicle to a mechanic, who discovered a hole in the air conditioning line. The failure was caused by the air conditioning line rubbing against the fuel line. The mechanic stated that the repair for the air conditioning line would cost between $800-$1,000. She was advised to call the manufacturer because the defect appeared to be weakening the fuel line. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the issue and referred her to NHTSA. …”

NHTSA complaint #10267162, filed 2009-04, 134,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

60% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 134,000 miles.

40%0–1020%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10020%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 17,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2004120061200812009120111
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 2004 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 2004 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 automatic141916$4,200
Safari 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141916$4,200
Safari 2WD Conversion (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Safari AWD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800
Safari AWD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Safari AWD Conversion (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800

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 2004 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. 379 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 379 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 2004 GMC Safari have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2004 GMC Safari as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 GMC Safari is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2004 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 2004 GMC Safari get?

The EPA rates the 2004 GMC Safari (Safari 2WD (Passenger), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 GMC Safari reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,000 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 134,000 miles; 60% 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.