Does the 2003 GMC Safari have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 GMC Safari, the most recent reported on September 12, 2003 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Safari?

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (5 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (2).

How many 2003 GMC Safari complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 18 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 GMC Safari recalls and problems

1 recall and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 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.

2003 GMC Safari recalls

Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint

NHTSA campaign 03V328000 · reported September 12, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 41,477 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: The steering knuckle could separate from the lower control arm, dropping down the affected corner of the vehicle. The coil spring would push the control arm down into contact with the ground, creating a drag that would slow the vehicle. The driver could have difficulty in maintaining the directional control of the vehicle. In addition, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle if forces resulting from the wheel's dragging action were sufficient to fracture the tie rod end and upper ball joint connections. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel's hydraulic brake hose, resulting in lost braking performance from the front brake system. Vehicle stopping distance would increase, which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

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

Service brakes, hydraulic5
Engine and engine cooling2
Power train2
Service brakes2
Air bags1
Seat belts1
Steering1
Structure1
Suspension1
Tires1

What owners report

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

Oct 5, 2015 · Service brakes · 189,000 miles
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 ASTRONOMICAL. WHY ISN'T GMC RECALLING THESE VEHICLES?

Sep 28, 2014 · Service brakes · 67,000 miles
. 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 LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN THROUGH THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS RECENTLY WORKED ON. I INVESTIGATED THE REASON WHY IT…

Mar 25, 2013 · Air bags · 126,000 miles · crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Jul 17, 2009 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 80,000 miles
OUR 2003 GMC SAFARI HAS HAD THE BRAKES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT AT LEAST SIX TIMES (EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO) FOR THE PAST YEAR. EACH TIME, THE PEDAL JUST DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, THE "BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE HAVE HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET IT TO FINALLY ROLL TO A STOP…

Apr 19, 2007 · Seat belts
PURCHASED BOOSTER SEATS FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN. A CERTIFIED INSPECTOR SHOWED US THAT ALL FOUR REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN PULLED QUICKLY INDICATING THAT THE SEATBELTS WOULD NOT RESTRAIN THE CHILD IN AN ACCIDENT (OR AN ADULT EITHER). TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THE SEATBELTS LOCK WHEN YOU…

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
2005	0	4	0	0

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

Questions

Does the 2003 GMC Safari have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 GMC Safari, the most recent reported on September 12, 2003 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Safari?: Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (5 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (2).
How many 2003 GMC Safari complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 18 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 5, 2015.