1990-2005 GMC Safari Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation GMC Safari. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation GMC Safari.

1990-2005 GMC Safari Review

GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro models were identical except for names and series designations. They are truck based, rear- or all-wheel-drive minivans that have higher payload and towing ratings than front-drive counterparts.The all-wheel-drive option, 4-wheel antilock brakes, and an extended bodystyle were added for 1990. Also new for '90 was a restyled instrument panel that included a larger glovebox. Five-passenger seating was standard, but seating for up to eight occupants might be installed. Developing 150 horsepower, the standard 4.3-liter V6 engine hooked to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Year to Year Changes

1991 GMC Safari: A high-output V6, rated 175 horsepower, became available in 2WD passenger Safaris in '91.

1992 GMC Safari: During the 1992 model year, a more powerful V6 engine option--rated 200 horsepower--became available. So did a new rear-door option, dubbed Dutch doors, featuring a one-piece glass liftgate with separately opening split panel doors below.

1993 GMC Safari: A revised 4-speed automatic transmission with electronic controls arrived in '93. Base engines jumped from 150 to 165 horsepower. A driver-side airbag became optional in mid-year.

1994 GMC Safari: A driver-side airbag was installed in all Safaris for '94. Other new safety features included side guard beams in both front doors and the sliding side door, plus a center high-mounted stoplamp in the roof.

1995 GMC Safari: Facelifted for 1995, all models got extended bodies and a 190-horsepower engine. Regular-length vans were dropped.

1996 GMC Safari: A passenger airbag went into 1996 models, which featured a revised dashboard with a locking glovebox. A new interior engine cover increased front foot room, and had built-in cupholders. New ducts heated and cooled rear seats.

1997 GMC Safari: Speed-sensitive power steering and daytime running lights led the list of changes for '97.

1998 GMC Safari: There were no significant changes for 1998, however, Ford dropped the rival Aerostar.

1999 GMC Safari: Changes were limited to optional running boards and redesigned outside mirrors.

2000 GMC Safari: Safaris gained rear child-seat anchors, a standard third-row bench seat for 7- or 8-passenger capacity, and a larger fuel tank (now made of plastic). Headlamps now switched on automatically in low-light conditions. Other new features included "flash-to-pass" headlamps, battery-rundown protection, and retained accessory power. A new Tow/Haul mode optimized shift points on the automatic transmission for heavy hauling and towing. The V6 engine was mildly updated for quieter operation and lower emissions. Maximum trailering capacities were increased: to 6000 pounds for 2WD models and 5800 with AWD.

2001 GMC Safari: Safari lost its base passenger model, leaving SLE and SLT trim levels for 2001. A new seven-passenger option replaced the second-row bench with twin bucket seats.

2002 GMC Safari: For 2002, passenger versions got standard deep-tint rear glass and cargo versions were available with remote keyless entry and a rear heater.

2003 GMC Safari: Like the similar Astro, Safari gets all-disc brakes and 16-inch wheels on all models.

2004 GMC Safari: The Safari is unchanged for 2004.

2005 GMC Safari: Safari is unchanged for 2005. General Motors says this is its last year.

1990-2005 GMC Safari Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Fuel economy

Optional all-wheel-drive traction	Entry/exit

Passenger room	Ride

Trailer-towing capability

Cargo room (extended-length)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Spacious inside with either the regular- or extended-length body, Safari vans can be fitted to tow up to 6000 pounds and seat up to eight. With those eight seats, regular-length models have little rear cargo room. Optional rear "Dutch doors" make loading more convenient and improve visibility. Standard full swing-out doors have a large center blind spot due to their thick vertical bar. Rear-drive is great for hauling, but Safari/Astro rides and handles more like a truck than a car. The rear axle hops around on bumpy roads, making it difficult to remain on course. The suspension pounds over broken pavement and allows too much floating on wavy roads. Although the standard V6 has plenty of torque for hauling heavy loads, that muscle does not translate into brisk pickup. Best to pick a Safari with the optional engine, or a later model if performance matters. An extended AWD Safari averaged 18.3 mpg.

Value for the Money
Safari is fine if you need a beast of burden, but don't want a full-size van. As a daily people-mover, however, a front-drive minivan would be wiser.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

GMC Safari AWD SLE	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	3

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	3

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	3

Room/Comfort (rear)	6

Cargo Capacity	10

Value within Class	4

Total:	45

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-2005 GMC Safari Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Cold-starting problems: New valve guide seals should eliminate the blue smoke from the tailpipe during cold starting. (1990-93)

Doors: The sliding door is hard to open or close, or does not glide smoothly because various parts are out of adjustment. (1990-93)

Engine misfire: The engine speed may flare during downshifts between third and second due to a faulty transmission control solenoid. (1996)

Engine noise: A whooping noise coming from the engine may be caused by the exhaust valves sticking in their guides. New valve guide seals should correct the problem. (1996)

Engine noise: A knocking sound from the engine may require either an oil filter having a built-in check valve, a revised PROM, or replacement of the main bearings. (1990-95)

Engine temperature: Overheating and coolant loss may be due to rough surface on radiator filler neck. Neck should be sanded smooth and cap replaced. (1999-2000)

Hard starting: The fuel injector wires tend to get pinched when the air filter is reinstalled. (1990-93)

Transmission leak: The rear seal on the transmission (extension housing seal) may leak on vans with a one-piece drive shaft. (1990-94)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$515

Alternator	$245

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$770

Brakes	$225

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$555

Exhaust System	$320

Radiator	$420

Shocks and/or Struts	$247

Timing Chain or Belt	$255

Universal Joints	$153

NHTSA Recall History

1990-91: Bucket seat's knob-recliner mechanism may loosen and cause bolt failure, allowing seatback to recline suddenly.

1995: Fuel lines at tank were improperly tightened and could loosen.

1995: On a few vans, left lower control-arm bolt could loosen, fatigue, and break.

1995-97: The windshield-wiper motor may fail on certain vehicles. Dealer will inspect and replace affected parts.

1996-97: Outboard-seatbelt webbing on right rear bucket seat can separate during crash.

1996-98 w/integrated child seats: Seatbelt-retractor clutch spring and/or pawl spring in child seat may be missing.

1998: On certain vehicles, the outside-rearview-mirror switch may short circuit. Dealer will inspect and replace affected parts.

1998-99: Audible "fasten seatbelt" warning may not sound or may terminate too soon.

2001-02: Multifunction switch may develop an open circuit, causing stop lamps and hazard lamps to become inoperative.

2003: Poorly manufactured steering knuckles on some vehicles may allow for road contamination to enter and wear down the ball joint, resulting in difficulty controlling the vehicle

1990-2005 GMC Safari Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
Safari	$1,000-1,500	$600-900	$100-200
Safari AWD	$1,200-1,700	$700-1,000	$100-200

1991
Safari	$1,100-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200
Safari AWD	$1,400-1,900	$900-1,200	$200

1992
Safari	$1,200-1,700	$700-1,000	$100-200
Safari AWD	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300

1993
Safari	$1,400-2,000	$900-1,300	$200
Safari AWD	$1,700-2,300	$1,100-1,500	$300

1994
Safari	$1,500-2,400	$1,000-1,600	$200-300
Safari AWD	$1,900-2,800	$1,300-1,900	$300-400

1995
Safari	$1,800-2,600	$1,200-1,800	$300-400
Safari AWD	$2,200-2,900	$1,600-2,100	$400-600

1996
Safari	$2,200-3,300	$1,600-2,300	$400-600
Safari AWD	$2,600-3,600	$1,900-2,700	$500-800

1997
Safari	$2,700-3,800	$2,000-2,900	$600-800
Safari AWD	$3,100-4,100	$2,400-3,200	$700-1,000

1998
Safari	$3,200-4,200	$2,500-3,300	$800-1,100
Safari AWD	$3,600-4,600	$2,900-3,700	$1,000-1,300

1999
Safari	$3,800-4,900	$3,100-4,000	$1,200-1,500
Safari AWD	$4,200-5,400	$3,400-4,400	$1,400-1,800

2000
Safari	$4,500-5,600	$3,700-4,600	$1,600-2,000
Safari AWD	$5,000-6,100	$4,300-5,200	$2,000-2,400

2001
Safari	$5,400-6,400	$4,600-5,500	$2,200-2,600
Safari AWD	$5,900-6,900	$5,100-6,000	$2,500-2,900

2002
Safari	$6,600-7,700	$5,800-6,800	$3,000-3,500
Safari AWD	$7,100-8,200	$6,300-7,300	$3,400-3,900

2003
Safari	$7,900-9,600	$7,100-8,600	$4,000-4,900
Safari AWD	$8,400-10,100	$7,600-9,100	$4,400-5,300

2004
Safari	$9,800-11,300	$8,800-10,200	$5,100-5,900
Safari AWD	$10,400-12,000	$9,400-10,800	$5,500-6,400

2005
Safari	$11,800-13,500	$10,600-12,200	$6,600-7,600
Safari AWD	$12,400-14,200	$11,200-12,800	$7,100-8,100

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-2005 GMC Safari Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	1990-94 3-door van

Wheelbase, in.	111.0

Overall Length, in.	176.8

Overall Width, in.	77.0

Overall Height, in.	76.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	3960

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	151.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	27.0

Seating Capacity	8

Front Head Room, in.	39.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

All Safaris came with a 4.3-liter V6, but horsepowers from 150 to 200 might be found. The high-output option started at 175 horsepower, but jumped to 200 in '92. A year later, the base V6 gained 15 horses. All engines after 1994 are rated 190 horsepower. A 4-speed overdrive automatic was the only transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V6	4.3 / 262	150-165	230-235	4-speed automatic: 16/21	4-speed automatic: 14.5

ohv V6	4.3 / 262	175-200	230-260	4-speed automatic: 16/20	4-speed automatic: 18.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 Safari

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or all-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-2005 GMC Safari Review:

GMC Safari

GMC Safari Road Test

GMC Safari Reliability

GMC Safari Prices

GMC Safari Specs & Safety

GMC Safari Photos

GMC Safari Full Review