Safari (2003)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
GMC Safari Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
LU3
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Safari, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Recalls (3)
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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 SOCKET AREA OF THE BALL JOINT CAUSING THE JOINT TO WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY.
Alternatives in Van
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2003-2003 GMC Safari complaints?
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 GMC Safari. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the safety systems and the transmission.
Is the 2003-2003 GMC Safari a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 GMC Safari. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2003 GMC Safari have?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2003 GMC Safari as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2003-2003 GMC Safari?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2003-2003 GMC Safari vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Safari?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the safety systems and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Safari have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003 GMC Safari. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 24 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-10-12.