2003 GMC Safari Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2003 GMC Safari, and owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2003 GMC Safari
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension: lower ball joint
Certain minivans have an interference condition between the lower ball joint rubber boot and the steering knuckle (both left/right sides), which could result in cutting of the boot that is intended to seal the ball joint. If the lower ball joint boot were cut, contamination from the road (salt, dirt, water, etc.) could enter the ball…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering knuckles. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 8, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 GMC Safari have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 57,366 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The brake lines in front are rusted out and leaking creating a serious problem, as the brakes are not working. I see this is a re-occurring problem with GMC vehicles. The cost to repair is astronomica”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 5, 2015 · Service brakes
“. I would like to report the incident i had with my automobile: GMC safari wagon 2003. One day in july this year (2014) i applied the brakes of the above vehicle when i was approaching the red traffic”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 28, 2014 · Service brakes
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 GMC Safari Passenger (Safari 2WD (Passenger), Safari AWD (Passenger)). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 12–14 / 16–19 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Vans, Passenger Type |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 4.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare GMC Safari model years
Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Safari model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 GMC Safari | 2 | 1 |
| 1986 GMC Safari | 1 | 7 |
| 1987 GMC Safari | 1 | 11 |
| 1988 GMC Safari | 2 | 7 |
| 1989 GMC Safari | 3 | 18 |
| 1990 GMC Safari | 4 | 35 |
| 1991 GMC Safari | 3 | 39 |
| 1992 GMC Safari | 1 | 59 |
| 1993 GMC Safari | 0 | 61 |
| 1994 GMC Safari | 1 | 119 |
| 1995 GMC Safari | 3 | 195 |
| 1996 GMC Safari | 4 | 139 |
| 1997 GMC Safari | 4 | 135 |
| 1998 GMC Safari | 3 | 89 |
| 1999 GMC Safari | 1 | 61 |
| 2000 GMC Safari | 0 | 68 |
| 2001 GMC Safari | 1 | 39 |
| 2002 GMC Safari | 1 | 25 |
| 2003 GMC Safari | 1 | 18 |
| 2004 GMC Safari | 0 | 5 |
| 2005 GMC Safari | 0 | 4 |
Checking a specific 2003 GMC Safari
How do I know if my 2003 GMC Safari has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2003 GMC Safari; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V328000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other GMC models
- Sierra 15008,930 complaints
- Acadia5,569 complaints
- Yukon4,989 complaints
- Sierra3,937 complaints
- Terrain3,124 complaints
- Jimmy2,720 complaints
- Envoy2,459 complaints
- Yukon XL2,417 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.