Automatic Transmission Problems of GMC Safari

This morning (5/4/05) while driving my 1999 GMC Safari, I experienced a jolt and a high rpm rev and a long 1-2 shift. I got to my destination (1/4 mile up the road) and then discovered that I had no reverse. I immediately drove to the dealer (a 6-mile drive). I noticed in addition to no reverse, there was also no overdrive (4th gear). The preliminary diagnosis from the dealer is a failed sun shell assembly. They (the dealer) indentifies this as a common problem. To repair it requires a major overhaul a nearly $2000. 00 repair. I'm a member of iatn (internation automotive technicians' network) and I did a serach of this concern and learned that this is a common failure. I also learned that gm has a TSB on this concern (I don't know the number or nature of the TSB). At 6-years of age and 88,000 miles this (in my estimation) is a premature failure. The transmission has been serviced (flushed and filter replacement) twice in the past three years and has not been abused. I do tow two snowmobiles in the winter, but the weight is by far within the parameters stated for this vehicle. I called the gm service assistance center and the woman acknowledged the pattern failure, but said their "policy" for goodwill assistance is capped at 72,000 miles, my vehicle has 88,000 miles. She was prepared to offer me some kind of voucher to be used toward the purchase of a new gm vehicle, but I'm not interested in that. There's clearly a product concern, and if gm is willing to give me a deal on a new car, why don't they give me a "deal" on repairing this one? anyway, that's my complaint.

See all problems of the 1999 GMC Safari 🔎.

(1) nothing leading up to event. Suddenly the vehicle was not able to be moved in reverse although the gear selector was able to be placed into r. Also, the vehicle would not drive smoothly in any forward gears. However, it was able to move forward and subsequently able to be driven onto a transport trailer for towing. (2) fortunately, the failure happened in a parking lot and no accident or injuries were incurred. The vehicle was loaded onto a u-haul vehicle transport trailer and taken to a transmission repair facility (ocean side transmission incorporated located in oceanside, CA). (3) transmission was repaired with several parts replaced at the cost of almost $2000. 00. Transmission repair shop said the shell was cracked and "this vehicle's transmission is known for having a weak shell". I have this old part available and it is broken into two pieces appearing to have sheared apart.

Valve body was replaced, the fan motor was replaced, and all of these parts were defective again. Dealer stated that vehicle needed a new transmission. The manufacturer stated warranty expired.

See all problems of the 2003 GMC Safari 🔎.

Numerous failure of the windshield wipers to operate ( sometimes they work sometimes they don't, when they do finally come on they won't turn off). Transmission problems disabled the vehicle on 3 occasions. Vehicle showing same symptoms of 1997 which was recalled.

See all problems of the 1998 GMC Safari 🔎.

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 now waiting to hear how much more I will have to spend. This needs to be investigated.

See all problems of the 2002 GMC Safari 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 1997 GMC Safari 🔎.

While driving at 45mph transmission went out. This vehicle was not any longer under warranty.

See all problems of the 2000 GMC Safari 🔎.

I had the automatic transmission on this vehicle repaired on 3 different occasions in the 3 years I have owned it. The dealer did it twice under the extended warranty I had on it, the third time was 3,000 miles after the warranty ended an aamoco transmissions repaired it. This was the first week of December 2002. The transmission is again shifting hard and "jumping" into gear after stopping for red light or any such incident.

While driving at any speed and with no warning gears will switch from 1st to 2nd, and it will be hard to change back to 1st gear. Dealer notified.

Red engine light came on transmission was jumping into gear, with 26,000 miles, took to dealer they found nothing wrong. Took trip to florida red light came on took to aamco transmission (36,000 mi) found problem,850$, said this was common with this vehicle. GMC paid me half, going to court with dealer for other half. My warranty was over due to years.

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.

Driver's side seat won't adjust--stripped gears. Hood latch does not work--I have to pry it up.

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.

Gm is refusing to fix problem. They claim that front brakes are over heated and rotors blue. Suggest that customer change driving habits and use transmission lower gears to assist slowing vehicle. All this accured between 35,693 miles and 37,389 miles.

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.

Drive train makes noise, recall notice however dealer doesn't know anything about it.

See all problems of the 1996 GMC Safari 🔎.

Gauge reads hot and problems with transmission. Ph.

Vehicle experiencing hard shift since purchased. Replacements were done on four occasions.

The transmission did not respond quickly enough to prevent the vehicle from rolling forward while in reverse. The gm technician stated that this is not a problem.

Rearend needed to be replaced at 61,000 miles, and a part within transmission locked up. Consumer had to have transmission rebuilt. Please provide further information.