2002 Gmc Safari problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (6) · Suspension:front (2) · Air Bags (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Safari model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (350)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Electrical System 2024-08-26 · General Communication · Service Campaign
vehicle wide programming (vwp) is a new process to update software on gm vehicles. it provides the ability via a single selection within techline connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). the updating of modules is com
Showing the 6 most recent of 350 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-11-15 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc safari. while driving 45 mph, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by a 2006 dodge caravan. the contact's vehicle then crashed into a pole. the air bags did not deploy. the contact sustained lower back pain, a bruised toe, a forehead gash, and damage to the ribs. medical attention was required. a pol…”
2013-10-04 · Service Brakes · 92,000 mi“front brake line rusted out and failed, necessitating expensive repair and replacement. *tr…”
2009-06-08 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 76,306 mi“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 inf…”
2008-04-17 · Suspension:front:wheel Bearing · 28,530 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 gmc safari. while driving 5 or 6 mph, it took 40-50 feet before the contact could stop the vehicle. a mechanic stated that both the passenger and driver side wheel bearings and idler arms needed to be replaced. the local mechanic performed the repairs. gmc denied him reimbursement because they did not make the repair.…”
2008-02-25 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch · 28,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 gmc safari. the contact stated that the brake lights worked intermittently. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and they stated that the repair required them to dismantle some of the major components to better access the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified requesting inform…”
2007-05-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads · 22,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 gmc safari. the contact stated that the vehicle's brakes squeaked and she had the brake pads replaced. the pads were replaced a second time at 40,000 miles. the brakes continue to squeak. the vehicle's purchase date and engine size were unknown. the current mileage is 68,000 and failure mileage was 22,000.…”
2006-03-25 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 39,000 mi“had to replace transmission at 39,000 miles. then again at 131,000 miles. now it is back in the shop with transmission problems yet to be determined at 149,000 miles. judging from the complaints on the internet, this seems to be a defect that is costing the consumer a bundle of money. so far i have spent over $3000 to repair the transmission. i am …”
2006-01-24 · Suspension:front:hub · 43,514 mi“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…”
2006-01-09 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 43,500 mi“i was very nearly broadsided when my vehicle's anti lock brake sensor failed when attempting to stop at an intersection of a secondary road with a state highway. my vehicle proceeded into the intersection at a very slow rate of speed while my brake was pushed to the floor. i have subsequently discovered that there has been a recall for this problem…”
2005-11-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip“2002 gmc safari brakes would not perform properly. *ts ***no answer required*** the brakes would not stop the vehicle and resulted in extended stopping distance. the consumer mentioned this problem to the dealer several times but each time they claimed that no problem was found. the consumer heard of the recall on some gmc vehicle's but soon fou…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.