1990 GMC Safari recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING, CAUSING A LEAKAGE OF FUEL.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A FUEL RETURN LINE SEPARATION, A FUELLEAK OCCURRING IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The fix: INSTALL A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 SAFARI.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V146000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL RETURN HOSES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCK VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0 L TBI GASENGINE AND 60 GALLON FUEL TANK.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 SAFARI.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V119000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; DISK ROTORS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS AND VANS SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWINGSTATES: CT, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, AND WI.NOTES: THE VEHICLES INVOLVED CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING: THE 5THCHARACTER OF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BE A "K" OR "L", AND THESEVENTH CHARACTER MUST BE "3","4","5","6", OR "9".IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE, AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIMEAND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT ORNONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST GMC TRUCK ZONE OFFICE. THE TELEPHONENUMBERS OF THE ZONE OFFICES ARE LISTED IN YOUR WARRANTY AND OWNER'S ASSISTANCEINFORMATION MANUALS. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETYADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 SAFARI.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V187000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT TRACKS, ANCHORS, AND SEATS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS WITHKNOB TYPE RECLINER MECHANISMS.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT THE GMC SERVICE CENTER AT 1-313-456-4547 OR THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTERAT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO, PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETYADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
4. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
What could happen: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
The fix: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 SAFARI.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V164000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE; FMVSS 210.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS.NOTE: THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED BY SHERROD VANS, INC.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 GMC Safari owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (15), Hydraulic (15), Body / structure (7), Seats (5), Seat belts (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/22/2002 · Seats
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 SEAT BACK WAS PUSHED, THE ENTIRE BOLT/NUT COMBO LIFTED OFF OF…
04/22/2002 · Seats
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 SEAT BACK WAS PUSHED, THE ENTIRE BOLT/NUT COMBO LIFTED OFF OF…
08/03/2001 · Steering
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
09/20/2000 · Seats
CONSUMER HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 93V187000 FOR FRONTAL SEATS. REAR SEATS ARE THE SAME TYPE OF SEATS WITH A DIFFERENT PACKAGE. BUT, MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PARTS AS STATED IN THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SEATS. *AK THE FRONT AND THE REAR SEATS ARE RECLINING SEAT FOR THIS VAN UNLIKE OTHER VANS. *YH
04/11/2000 · Seat belts
THE 2 FRONT SAFETY BELTS DONT WORK PROPERLY, IF YOU LEAN FORWARD THE SHOULDER BELT STAY LOOSE AND DON'T COME BACK AGAINST THE PASSENGER, ALSO A REAR LAP BELT WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO RETRACT AND LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER IT IS PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT DOES NOT WORK. I HAD CONTACTED GM A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT BUT WOULD…
04/04/2000 · Brakes
AFTER A HARD BRAKING INCIDENT, THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. SYSTEM WAS RESET BY MECHANIC, WORKED FOR 4 OR 5 BRAKE APPLICATIONS BUT HAD ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE UNDER HOOD, THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. REGULAR BRAKES WORK PROPERLY, ABS DOES NOT. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP STATED ABS COMPUTER FAILURE. COST TO REPAIR - $450, WORK NOT PERFORMED. PROBLE…
10/18/1999 · Brakes
THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS COMES ON, INDICATING THAT THE ABS DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND RESET THE ABS CODE. PROBLEM EXSITS AGAIN. *AK
10/01/1999 · Brakes
ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYING. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES (ABS), VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE. VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP RIGHT AWAY. WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP. BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC RESET COMPUTER FOR BRAKES. THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE HAD A CODE OF 63. *AK