1994 GMC Safari problems & reliability
119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 GMC Safari. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
9 complaints report injuries (11 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1994 GMC Safari vehicles were involved in 5 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 37 | 31% |
| Visibility | 30 | 25% |
| Suspension | 15 | 13% |
| Air Bags | 8 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 4% |
| Steering | 5 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3% |
| Power Train | 4 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl*- the contact stated that while fueling the 1994 gmc safari (15 with the vehicle running the transmission switched gears from park to reverse,, resulting in striking the vehicle behind it. The contact reentered the vehicle, shifted the loose gear into drive and moved the vehicle forward to a parking space. The…”
Power Train · filed Jan 30, 2007
“Driving a 1994 gmc safari awd and at a stop had the 41" torsion bar snapped. Searched for replacement from salvage yards but they have stopped selling them due to liability reasons, need to install adjustment equipment sold by gm with a cost of $800. *nm”
Suspension · filed Aug 16, 2005
“When driving during rainy weather, the windshield wiper failed intermittently. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak there were numerous recalls on other year and makes of the safari vans for the same problem. *sc *jb”
Visibility · filed Jan 26, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- WINDSHIELD WIPER
Recall Query RQ99003 · opened Mar 8, 1999 · closed May 31, 2002
Technical service bulletins
23 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1994 GMC Safari. The 10 most recent:
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…
PIC4696E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 22, 2019
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…
PIC4696D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 5, 2019
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…
PIC4696C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 31, 2018
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will move down or self apply during full lock turns or near full lock turns. Chevrolet astro and gmc safari vans…
PIT-3665-A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2010
Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. *tt 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks. *tt
020730024A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2005
Window regulator motor does not fit. *tt
01667 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan. *tt
990730016A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2002
Some customers may comment that the right rear door handle on the cargo door breaks. *tt
020864013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2002
Subject regarding abs 3-sensor ebc4 - special policy. *tt
240699 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1994 GMC Safari in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1994 GMC Safari?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.