The 1989 GMC Safari has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 950,413 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. 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.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
3
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
STEERING
2
1crashes1injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
1
1injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
1
Total complaints25
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The brackets on the front and back of the power steering pump have broken 3+ times and have caused the vehicle to be towed, pump, serpentine belt, brackets, fluid, and hose to be replaced. I would like to know why and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. Please help. Thank you.…”
“The brackets on the front and back of the power steering pump have broken 3+ times and have caused the vehicle to be towed, pump, serpentine belt, brackets, fluid, and hose to be replaced. I would like to know why and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. Please help. Thank you.…”
“Random failure of the windshield wipers when vehicle is in motion. Very spooky when it happens at night. When questioned the dealership is not aware of any problem. But they knew just what the problem is and they have a fix. *la”
“Front van captains chair frame and track, has had to be repair several times. Seat lifts up, does not stay secured to track. *jb”
“The aluminum or similar material bracket which connects the electronically-controlled driver's seat to the floor guides is "ripped" --- not completely but enough to make the seat insecure and definitely unsafe in a sudden stop or impact.*ak”
“Without warning the tie rod ripped itself out of the frame. If this vehicle had been traveling at normal speed, the driver would have completely lost the ability to steer the vehicle. One body shop owner said that he has never seen or heard of anything like this.”
“On going electrical problems since before I bought it, but even when I had a rebuilt engine put in by miles chev, millington,tn in july 97 at 146,737 miles ,nothing was said about any engine fires...most mechanics said it was a "minor" electrial problem...the "service engine soon" light came on…”
“Rear seat belt failed under hard braking. Also, power steering pump rear bracket malfunctioned.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA92022 Opened 1992-06-24 · closed 1993-11-19
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 GMC Safari as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.