Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 GMC Safari, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train19
- Service brakes, hydraulic18
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Seat belts6
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Electrical system4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Air bags3
- Steering3
- Tires2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 1999 Safari vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 GMC Safari failed the safety check 2.30% of the time — 30% more often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 161,218 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 14.3–15.3 L/100 km (about 15–16 mpg US), CO₂ 329–352 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Cargo · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 16.1 | 12.2 | 14.3 |
| Safari Passenger · Van: Passenger · Regular gasoline | 16.3 | 12.5 | 14.6 |
| Safari AWD Cargo · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 16.4 | 12.7 | 14.7 |
| Safari AWD Passenger · Van: Passenger · Regular gasoline | 17.0 | 13.3 | 15.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1999 GMC Safari.
| 2001097 17 Apr 2001 | Lights And Instruments Certain vehicles fail to comply with requirements of CMVSS No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The "fasten safety-belt" audible warning occasionally may not c… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What GMC told its dealers about the 1999 GMC Safari: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634999 | DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT |
| 634915 | SUBJECT REGARDING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM WHILE TURNING OR UNDER LIGHT BRAKING. *TT |
| 634576 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE RIGHT REAR DOOR HANDLE ON THE CARGO DOOR BREAKS. *TT |
| 628934 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, NO 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY, THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL OR A LOSS OF DRIVE OCCURS. *TT |
| 628070 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST NOISE, RATTLE NOISE AT 550 RPM. *TT |
| 627998 | BRIEF INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 CATALYST SYSTEM LOW EFFICIENCY BANK ONE. *TT |
| 626527 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE A WATER LEAK IN THE WINDSHIELD AREA. *JG |
| 623540 | INFORMATION REGARDING FASTEN SEAT BELT WARNING AUDIBLE SIGNAL PARTS AVAILABILITY. *SLC |
| 623443 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFIRM TO FEDERAL/CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION, 208, OCCUPANT RESTRAIN SYSTEM IN FRONTAL IMPACT, AND ARTICLE 22-3, TRIAS 49, SEAT BELT WARNING DEVICE, SOMETIMES ON CERTAIN VEHICLES THE SEAT BELT AUDIBLE SIGNAL MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS. *SLC |
| 623397 | CAMPAIGN PARTS BULLETIN REGARDING FASTEN SEAT BELT WARNING AUDIBLE SIGNAL. *TT |
| 620862 | SUBJECT REGARDING FASTEN SEAT BELT WARNING AUDIBLE SIGNAL - PARTS INFORMATION UPDATE. *TT |
| 620840 | SUBJECT REGARDING CAMPAIGN 01036 - FASTEN SEAT BELT WARNING AUDIBLE SIGNAL - PARTS INFORMATION UPDATE. *TT |
| 618269 | THIS MESSAGE CONCERNS 1996 THROUGH 2000 M & L VANS, CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI THAT MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF HEAT AT THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *TT |
| 617676 | THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF A POPPING OR SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW AREA ON 1999 THROUGH 2000 MODEL YEAR ASTRO AND SAFARI VANS. *TT |
| 616434 | THIS SERVICE VME MESSAGE ADDRESSES CUSTOMER COMMENTS OF EXCESSIVE BRAKE SQUEAL ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 11, 2000. *TT |
| 616395 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LOW SPEED SHUTTER OR VIBRATION DURING TIGHT LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS LIKE YOU'D MAKE IN A PARKING LOT AT SPEEDS OF UP TO FIVE MILES PER HOUR ON DRY PAVEMENT. *TT |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10242252 | This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns. |
| 10237671 | This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn. |
| 10232287 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10226382 | This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn. |
| 10208027 | This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update. |
| 10190934 | Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components are showing some form of corrosion. This corrosion may be red in appearance (rust) if the component is steel, forged iron or cast iron. This corrosion may also be grey or white in color if the component is constructed of an aluminum alloy. |
| 10190933 | Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components are showing some form of corrosion. This corrosion may be red in appearance (rust) if the component is steel, forged iron or cast iron. This corrosion may also be grey or white in color if the component is constructed of an aluminum alloy. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)