Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 GMC Savana, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Power train7
- Structure6
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Steering4
- Tires3
- Air bags3
- Seat belts3
- Seats2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 1997 Savana vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them. 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 1997 GMC Savana failed the safety check 1.03% of the time — 36% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 154,153 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1997 GMC Savana.
| 2001058 9 Mar 2001 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel tank front rollover valve could stick open and allow fuel leakage. If the vehicle is parked down a grade of 2.5 degrees or more, … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
PASSENGER VANS. THESE VANS EXPERIENCE FUEL ODORS OR LEAKAGE.
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 1997 GMC Savana: 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 |
| 634727 | THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INFORM DEALERS THAT THE VCM / PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION AND / OR WATER INTRUSION. *TT |
| 634592 | SIDE CARGO DOORS ARE HARD TO OPEN OR STIFF ON 1996 - 2002 CHEVROLET AND GMC G-VAN MODELS. *TT |
| 629613 | ADDRESSING CUSTOMERS COMMENTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL COOLER LINES LEAKING. *TT |
| 628070 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST NOISE, RATTLE NOISE AT 550 RPM. *TT |
| 626337 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF BINDING SIDE CARGO DOOR HINGES. *SLC |
| 617786 | THIS SERVICE MESSAGE ADDRESSES CUSTOMER CONCERNS REGARDING THEFT DETERRENTS, A NEW REAR DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE AND LICENSE PLATE HOUSING DEVELOPED FOR ADDED THEFT PROTECTION. *TT |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10232287 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10209734 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 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. |
| 10171318 | 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. |
| 10170494 | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock. |
| 10168979 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details. |
| 10166638 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10165876 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. |
| 10157018 | 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. |
| 10154641 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10141381 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. |
| 10139019 | This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern. |
| 10138060 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10137901 | This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle. |
| 10114947 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. |
| 10114924 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)