The 1990 GMC Safari has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 981,053 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS93V1870001993-11-16604,207 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, HYDRAULIC93V1190001993-08-02341,364 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.
SEAT BELTS91V1640001991-09-204,842 affected
Defect
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Consequence
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy
REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING, CAUSING A LEAKAGE OF FUEL.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A FUEL RETURN LINE SEPARATION, A FUELLEAK OCCURRING IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy
INSTALL A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
12
2crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
6
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
2
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
Total complaints44
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Consumer discovered that the power driver seat would rock back and forth when the vehicle accelerated too quickly, consumer thought that a mounting bolt was loose, he then tilted the seat back and inspected the front mounting bolt to the seat platform connection and the consumer saw that when the…”
“Consumer discovered that the power driver seat would rock back and forth when the vehicle accelerated too quickly, consumer thought that a mounting bolt was loose, he then tilted the seat back and inspected the front mounting bolt to the seat platform connection and the consumer saw that when the…”
“Consumer was driving along and made a stop; then, put vehicle in reverse and it made a loud noise, later she was told that idle arm had fallen off.*ak vehicle also would vibrate while driving at 65 mph. Steering column loose and needed to be tightened. *slc”
“Consumer was driving along and made a stop; then, put vehicle in reverse and it made a loud noise, later she was told that idle arm had fallen off.*ak vehicle also would vibrate while driving at 65 mph. Steering column loose and needed to be tightened. *slc”
“Consumer was driving along and made a stop; then, put vehicle in reverse and it made a loud noise, later she was told that idle arm had fallen off.*ak vehicle also would vibrate while driving at 65 mph. Steering column loose and needed to be tightened. *slc”
“Was leaning forward with the seat belt on. Seat belt failed to lock up properly when this happens. Owner feels it would not be adequate protection if an accident occurs. *ak”
“Took the vehicle for repair service on rear end. Was hit. When consumer drove away, steering wheel column moved the column into the inner sleeve.consumer contacted dealer. *ak”
“Took the vehicle for repair service on rear end. Was hit. When consumer drove away, steering wheel column moved the column into the inner sleeve.consumer contacted dealer. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA91028 Opened 1991-06-10 · closed 1992-06-30
BRAKE FAILURE
===
InvestigationEA92022 Opened 1992-06-24 · closed 1993-11-19
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE91052 Opened 1991-02-22 · closed 1991-06-10
BRAKE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE97025 Opened 1997-06-12 · closed 1997-11-26
INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE
ALLEGED ELECTRICAL FIRES MAY OCCUR IN THE DASH AREA WHILE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BEING OPERATED OR WHILE PARKED.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 GMC Safari as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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