Ten problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1997 GMC Safari. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1997 GMC Safari complete power failure which negates power steering, power brakes, and is a danger to me and my family! I never know when the power will go out. It has gone out on at least 10 occasions since I purchased the vehicle. Also, the transmission "slams" into gear on occasion at no specific interval. There can be several days seperating the incidents; no logical pattern. I have taken the vehicle to martin Cadillac in los angeles at least 4 times to have these problems fixed and so far they have been unable to duplicate the problems and make the fix.
This seems like an awful lot of expensive repairs for this vehicle. The transmission problems are still not resolved. It took it to a transmission shop and they rebuilt the transmission but the problems still exist.
I have repeatly taken this car to a gm dealer for the problem. They charged me twice and finally admitted they could not find problem. Therefore, it left me no choice but to go to any independent transmission dealer, who advised me this is a ongoing GMC problem due to poor techancial design. Gm realizes this problem, yet has turned me down for reinbursement due to my having it fixed by independent. All my service work had been previously done by dealer. Dealer told me he was working with gm techs but could not find problem, yet the independent immediately knew of this problem and has serviced over 200 gm cars with same problem. . GMC supervisor tiffany baker denied payment. Valve body design problem. Converter slips when hot and driven over 50 miles. I have spent over $600. 00 on this problem and feel gm is responsible for the repair and should reimburse me.
Transmission over-pressurized and forced fluid out of the dip stick tube onto the engine and exhaust causing a large amount of smoke and creating a fire hazard. After rebuilding the transmission at my expense the same problem has occured 4 more times. The dealer has been very accomodating at trying to remedy this ongoing problem but has not been able to cure it.
All the gauges do not work due to electrical problems. Dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem. Previously, dealer replaced gas gauge. Also, transmissin malfunctioned.
Transmission jerks between first/ second and third gears. With no prior warning engine will started up when the vehicle is warmed up. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership.
Transmission malfunctioning since December 1997, resulted in its failure. Yh.
When starting up from park, the engine roars and looses power, sometimes only for a short distance but sometimes 500 to 600 feet. Also after starting up from a stopped position, the rear of the van gives off a very loud thud and van lurches at the same time as if someone rearended the vehicle. Sometimes, the van after being just started (still in park and not touching the brake or anything other than starting the engine) and sitting for a short while, the van will have a loud thud from the rear of the van and you can also feel movement at the same time.
Consumer disappointed in some of the problems he had with the chassis and other auxiliary systems. (nar) transmission, engine, ac/ heater, gas gauge, windshield wiper motor, electric window.
Ongoing problems with defective components on consumer's two vans. Each van has had problems withit's transmission, alternator, motors for door and windows, catalytic converter, fuel pump, oxygen sensors and windshield wiper motor. The consumer has two GMC Safari's both 1997 models. Their VIN's are 1gkdm19w8vb539209 and 1gkdm19w2vb546740.