How many recalls does the 1988 GMC Safari have?

The 1988 GMC Safari has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1988 GMC Safari has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1988 GMC Safari?

Of 8 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1988 GMC Safari Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 GMC Safari has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 945,571 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEATS 93V187000 1993-11-16 604,207 affected

Defect

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Consequence

IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 93V119000 1993-08-02 341,364 affected

Defect

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

STRUCTURE

Total complaints8

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The bolts on the power steering box snapped off. *jb”

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · reported 2003-06-05

“The front seat belts were inoperative. *jb”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT · reported 2003-06-05

“Steering wheel: driving along and bushings fell out of tilt steering wheel coupling, and steering wheel dropped in consumers lap. *ak *jb”

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · reported 1997-10-18

“Engine malfunctioned, oil rings have broken, causing oil leak. Tt”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1995-11-28

“The door locks in the rear doors broke, unable to open doors from inside. Tt bolts snap off from the motor the ones holding the power steering box. The belt comes off because the bracket breakes. *yh”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · reported 1995-10-02

“The door locks in the rear doors broke, unable to open doors from inside. Tt bolts snap off from the motor the ones holding the power steering box. The belt comes off because the bracket breakes. *yh”

STRUCTURE · reported 1995-10-02

“(7) of (8) seat belts will not lock. Belt is very loose, allowing alot of movement and (1) 0f (8) seat belt buckles does not latch. Problem has not been corrected. *ak”

SEAT BELTS

“Recall repairs done on broken seat bolt, but dealer charged consumer.”

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST