Does the 2001 GMC Safari have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 GMC Safari, the most recent reported on March 14, 2005 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Safari?

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (13 complaints), followed by electrical system (9).

How many 2001 GMC Safari complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 39 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 56 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 GMC Safari recalls and problems

1 recall and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 GMC Safari.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 GMC Safari recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 05V099000 · reported March 14, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 77,055 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain minivans, the multifunction switch may develop an open circuit condition in the stop lamp or hazard lamp circuit that results in the stop lamps and hazard lamps being inoperative.
The risk: The loss of stop lamps and rear hazard lamps could fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped and could lead to a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hazard warning flasher switch and apply special grease to the contacts at the time of installation of the module free of charge. The repair would be used in vehicles in which the hazard slider button is still movable. If a vehicle has a hazard slider button that is not movable (frozen), the entire multifunction switch will be replaced. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic13
Electrical system9
Exterior lighting4
Steering4
Engine and engine cooling3
Visibility3
Interior lighting2
Latches/locks/linkages2
Structure2
Vehicle speed control2

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 1, 2014 · Electrical system · 84,300 miles
AFTER FUELING, COULD NOT RESTART VEHICLE. DASH LIGHTS. HAD TO WAIT 15 - 30 MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE START VEHICLE. BATTERY 4 MONTHS OLD, INTERMITTENT ONGOING PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH DISCOVERED VIA WEB SEARCH LIST PROBLEM WITH "IGNITION PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM". THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT MY…

Aug 1, 2014 · Electrical system · 84,300 miles
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. BRAKE & ABS INDICATOR LIT. WAIT 15- 30 MINUTES AND VEHICLE MAY RESTART. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTED: PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM INTERMITTENT FAILURE.

Aug 1, 2014 · Electrical system · 84,300 miles
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. TIME IN BETWEEN ERRANDS 2 HOURS. OUTSIDE TEMP 95. HAD TO WAIT 15 - 30 MINUTES IN HOT VEHICLE TRYING TO START VEHICLE EVERY 20-30 SECONDS. PROBLEM WITH PASSLOCK/PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM AS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. CHECKED WITH PERSONAL OBD II & CAN SCAN TOOL AND…

May 21, 2014 · Electrical system · 81,500 miles
AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNTIL THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVER IS MOVED. ALL POWER IS UP, TURN KEY AND NO RESPONSE. DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVE SHIFT LEVER FROM P TO D3 MAY CAUSE STARTER TO WORK. TOLD BY AAA DRIVER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

Aug 17, 2011 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 84,300 miles
AT SLOW SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STOP. THE SIERRA VAN USES THE SAME COMPONENTS AS THE TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED BY 05V379000 ON 8/3/05. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WITH DIRTY SPEED SENSORS.

Safari model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	0	68	11	0
2001	1	39	1	2
2002	1	25	4	1
2003	1	18	1	1
2004	0	5	0	0

Across all years, the 2000 Safari has the most complaints (68). All GMC Safari years →

Questions

Does the 2001 GMC Safari have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 GMC Safari, the most recent reported on March 14, 2005 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Safari?: Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (13 complaints), followed by electrical system (9).
How many 2001 GMC Safari complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 39 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 56 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 1, 2014.