1988 Gmc Safari problems

General information about Gmc-Safari
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Chevrolet Astro is a van that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of American auto manufacturer General Motors from 1985 to 2005. Sold alongside the GMC Safari, the Astro was marketed in multiple configurations, including passenger minivan and cargo van.

The Astro and Safari used a rear-wheel drive chassis; all-wheel drive became an option in 1990. For its entire production, the Astro and Safari were produced by Baltimore Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland; the vans would be the final model line produced by the facility. In total, approximately 3.2 million Astros and Safaris were produced from 1985 through 2005.

Background

The Astro and Safari were introduced for the 1985 model year as the first minivan from General Motors. While marketed as a response to the first-generation Chrysler minivans, GM selected a rear-wheel drive layout, sizing the Astro and Safari closely to the short-wheelbase Chevrolet G10 van. Similar to the Ford Aerostar, to reduce production costs, GM adapted light-truck powertrain components; engines and transmissions were sourced from the Chevrolet S-10, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 5,500 lb (2,500 kg).

Prior to its use on a minivan, the Astro nameplate was used twice by General Motors; in 1967 (for the Chevrolet Astro 1 concept car) and from 1969 until 1987 (on the GMC Astro COE semitractor). GMC sourced the Safari nameplate from Pontiac (used by the latter to denote station wagons). As GMC was half of the Pontiac/GMC Division (later including Buick), from 1985 through 1989, both GMC and Pontiac Safaris were simultaneously offered through the same dealership network.

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Common 1988 Gmc Safari problems

The GMC Safari, produced from 1985 to 2005, has been praised for its reliability and spaciousness.

Transmission failure in the GMC Safari can occur at as low as 48,000 miles, which is significantly earlier than the expected lifespan of a transmission.

Another issue that has been reported by Safari owners is a rough idle, stalling, and loss of power.

Finally, some Safari owners have reported issues with the idle air control valve (IAC).

In conclusion, the GMC Safari has been praised for its reliability and spaciousness, but it has been plagued by common problems such as transmission failure, rough idle, stalling, and loss of power, and issues with the idle air control valve. These issues have been attributed to various causes, such as faulty sensors, loose wires, and poor quality control, and have been reported by Safari owners on various forums and websites.

Is the GMC Safari FWD or RWD?

rear-wheel drive

The Astro and Safari used a rear-wheel drive chassis; all-wheel drive became an option in 1990.

Are GMC Safaris good?

GMC Safari fan

It has been very reliable and gets >17.5 mpg doing package delivery in northern Nevada. It drives well, feels planted on the road and is rattle free. With regular maintenance this van should easily eclipse 200K miles.

Does Safari have power steering?

The power steering feature is available in 29 variant(s) of Tata Safari.

What year did GMC stop making the Safari?

The GMC Safari ended production after 2005; as of current production, this remains the final use of the nameplate by General Motors.

Are GMC Safaris good?

GMC Safari fan

When did they stop making GMC Safari?

2005

Chevrolet Astro

Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari
Also called	GMC Safari
Production	1985–2005
Assembly	Baltimore Assembly, Baltimore, Maryland
Body and chassis

Is GMC a quality?

GMC Reliability Rating Breakdown. The GMC Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 22nd out of 32 for all car brands.

Are GMC vehicles reliable?

GMC Overall Reliability and Maintenance Costs

According to RepairPal, one of the foremost sources for vehicle maintenance and reliability, GMC as a brand scores a 3 out of 5 for overall reliability, which is considered above average compared to other brands.

1988 Gmc Safari car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc Safari problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Steering problems
Seat belts problems
Seats problems
Engine and engine cooling problems
Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Gmc Safari vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1988 Gmc Safari complaints

The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Gmc Safari.

2003-06-05

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2003-06-05
Components: STEERING
Summary: THE BOLTS ON THE POWER STEERING BOX SNAPPED OFF. *JB

Add Complaint

2003-06-05

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2003-06-05
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB

Add Complaint

1997-10-22

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1997-10-18
VIN: 1GKDM15Z1JB
Components: STEERING
Summary: STEERING WHEEL: DRIVING ALONG AND BUSHINGS FELL OUT OF TILT STEERING WHEEL COUPLING, AND STEERING WHEEL DROPPED IN CONSUMERS LAP. *AK *JB

Add Complaint

1997-06-02

SEATS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1GKDM15Z7JB
Components: SEATS
Summary: RECALL REPAIRS DONE ON BROKEN SEAT BOLT, BUT DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER.

Add Complaint

1997-04-03

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: (7) OF (8) SEAT BELTS WILL NOT LOCK. BELT IS VERY LOOSE, ALLOWING ALOT OF MOVEMENT AND (1) 0F (8) SEAT BELT BUCKLES DOES NOT LATCH. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

Add Complaint

1995-11-28

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-11-28
VIN: 1GKDM15Z9JB
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED, OIL RINGS HAVE BROKEN, CAUSING OIL LEAK. TT

Add Complaint

1995-11-02

STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-10-02
VIN: 1GKDM15Z8JB
Components: STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Summary: THE DOOR LOCKS IN THE REAR DOORS BROKE, UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE. TT BOLTS SNAP OFF FROM THE MOTOR THE ONES HOLDING THE POWER STEERING BOX. THE BELT COMES OFF BECAUSE THE BRACKET BREAKES. *YH

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1988 Gmc Safari recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1988 Gmc Safari.

2006-05-19

Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

1993-11-16

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: 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.

1993-08-02

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: 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.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1988 Gmc Safari problems:

88 Astro van problems running. | Chevy Astro and GMC Safari Forum

https://www.astrosafari.com/threads/88-astro-van-problems-running.1743/

Nov 13, 2008 ... It is a 1988 4.3 V6 with only 63k Miles on it. I have so far replaced the TBI gasket, fuel filter, and map sensor. Here is the issue I am having ...

Q&A: Troubleshooting 1999 GMC Safari AWD Engine Issues

https://www.justanswer.com/gm/2pp6e-1999-gmc-safari-awd-hesitated-next-time-it-wouldnt-start.html

Oct 29, 2009 ... What causes intermittent failure in my 1999 GMC Safari AWD engine ... Fuel pump failure is also very common. ... I have a 1988 GMC Safari Mini van.

1998 hard or no start problems | Chevy Astro and GMC Safari Forum

https://www.astrosafari.com/threads/1998-hard-or-no-start-problems.2317/

Feb 11, 2009 ... The most common causes are worn ignition parts or low fuel pressure. When was the last tune-up done? How many miles on your vehicle? And what ...

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Transmission Problem — Car Forums at ...

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/15905/gmc/astro/gmc-safari-chevy-astro-transmission-problem

Jan 13, 2001 ... Regarding a "known problem" with these transmissions: I'm not sure I can go that far. I own 75 Astros now, and have had more than 100 others. ( ...