2004 Gmc Safari problems
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 2004 Gmc Safari problems
The GMC Safari, particularly the 2004 model, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are the issues in detail:
- Engine Stalls While Driving: This is one of the most reported problems with the 2004 GMC Safari. The engine can suddenly stall while driving, which can be dangerous, especially at high speeds. This issue has been reported to occur at an average mileage of 28,000 miles, and the average cost to fix this problem is $1,500.
- Instrument Panel Lights Flickering and Exterior Lights Intermittent: This problem is related to the electrical system of the vehicle. The instrument panel lights can flicker, and the exterior lights can be intermittent, which can affect the visibility of the driver, especially during nighttime driving. This issue has been reported to occur at an average mileage of 10,000 miles.
- Issues with Anti-lock Brakes: This problem is related to the braking system of the vehicle. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) can malfunction, which can affect the braking performance of the vehicle. This issue has been reported to occur at an average mileage of 150,000 miles, and the average cost to fix this problem is $1,500.
- Issues with Lane-keeping Assist: This problem is related to the safety features of the vehicle. The lane-keeping assist system can malfunction, which can affect the ability of the vehicle to stay in its lane. This issue has been reported to occur at an average mileage of 10,000 miles.
- Issues with Traction Control: This problem is related to the traction control system of the vehicle. The traction control system can malfunction, which can affect the ability of the vehicle to maintain traction on slippery surfaces. This issue has been reported to occur at an average mileage of 10,000 miles.
- Issues with Tires: This problem is related to the tires of the vehicle. The tires can have low air pressure, high air pressure, or a slow leak, which can affect the safety and performance of the vehicle. This issue has been reported to occur at an average mileage of 10,000 miles.
These problems can affect the safety, performance, and reliability of the 2004 GMC Safari. It is recommended that owners of this vehicle address these issues promptly to ensure the safe and efficient operation of their vehicle.
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.
What is the gas mileage on a 2004 GMC Safari?
Based on data from 10 vehicles, 206 fuel-ups and 58,831 miles of driving, the 2004 GMC Safari gets a combined Avg MPG of 15.07 with a 0.37 MPG margin of error.
Is the GMC Safari front or rear wheel drive?
rear-wheel-drive
Along with the Chevrolet Astro van, Safari was GM's rear-wheel-drive response to Lee Iacocca's front-wheel-drive mini-vans at Chrysler in the mid-'80s. GM insisted van owners wanted rear-wheel-drive, truck-tough haulers, not front-wheel-drive vans built for show and not tow.
When was the last GMC Safari made?
2005
Chevrolet Astro
| Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Also called | GMC Safari |
| Production | 1985–2005 |
| Assembly | Baltimore Assembly, Baltimore, Maryland |
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.
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.
When did they stop making GMC Safari?
General Motors today announced that its Chevy Astro and GMC Safari will be discontinued in 2005. As a consequence, the company's Baltimore, Maryland assembly plant, which exclusively builds the Chevy Astro and GMC Safari, will also close in 2005.
What size engine is in the GMC Safari?
Under the hood, the carmaker installed a 4.3-liter V6 engine paired to a standard 4-speed automatic gearbox.
2004 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:
- Suspension problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2004 Gmc Safari vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2004 Gmc Safari complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2004 Gmc Safari.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-10-20
- VIN: 1GKEL19XX4B
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI AWD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE ABS ACTIVATED ABNORMALLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PULSATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. UPDATED 03/23/12 *BF UPDATED 04/09/12
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-04-27
- VIN: 1GKEL19X44B
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VACUUM HOSE FAILED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE RUBBING AGAINST THE FUEL LINE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE WOULD COST BETWEEN $800-$1,000. SHE WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE DEFECT APPEARED TO BE WEAKENING THE FUEL LINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE ISSUE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-15
- VIN: 1GKDM19X64B
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE REAR END WAS MAKING A NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CARRIER BEARINGS AND THE RING & PINION (FACTORY DEFECT). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING THIS NOISE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. THE COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE 1500.00 DOLLARS. WE HAVE SENT IT TO THE DEALER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THE WARRANTY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-12-29
- VIN: 1GKEL19X94B
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I PURCHASED NEW A 2004 GMC SAFARI VAN ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. I RECENTLY HAD A TIRE FAILURE 350 MILES FROM HOME (RIGHT REAR). NO BIG DEAL JUST PUT THE SPARE ON RIGHT. WELL IT WAS 8:30 AT NIGHT WITH ICE ON THE ROAD. I GOT TO THE BURM , JACKED IT UP, WHEELS CHOCKED, IT SLIPPED OFF THE JACK, DO TO THE ICE. WITH LUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AND HAD A FLOOR JACK. GOT THE TIRE ON, LOOKING GOOD. TOOK OFF TO TRY AND GET A NEW TIRE ON BEFORE THEY CLOSE. WELL GUESS WHAT? THE DONUT SPARE FROM THE FACTORY ISN'T THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE OTHER THREE! THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BUCK AND JUMP. THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS YOU CAN DRIVE ON THIS SPARE FOR 3,000 MILES. IF I HAD TRIED TO DRIVE HOME I WOULD HAVE TORN UP MY TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE AND LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL!!!! THANKS GM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT KIND OF ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN WHEN EVERYTHING FAILS! I SEE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS MANDATING TIRE PRESSURE INFO TO THE DRIVER. TIRE PRESSURE IS OUT OF THE MANUFACTURES CONTROL , BUT PUTTING THE CORRECT SIZE SPARE TIRE (HEIGHT WISE ANYWAY)IS IN THEIR CONTROL IF THE GOVERNMENT FEELS TIRE PRESSURE IS IMPORTANT TO VEHICLE CONTROL HOW ABOUT DRIVING WITH THE WRONG SIZE TIRE IN ICY CONDITIONS,WHAT ABOUT HOW THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WORK IN THIS CONDITION. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. ARE THERE OTHER MANUFACTURES DOING THE SAME THING? I FEEL GM OWES ME A CORRECT SIZE TIRE FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-06-01
- VIN: 1GTDM19X14B
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL OF 2004 GMC SAFARI IS RAPIDLY DECAYING. NO CLEANING CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN USED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WORK IN AN OFFICE, SO THERE ARE NO EXTRAORDINARY CHEMICALS ON MY HANDS. *NM
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-06-14
- VIN: KM8SB12B74U
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: WHILE PARALLEL PARKING VEHICLE TURNED 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT WITHIN TWO-CAR LENGTHS. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. DEALER CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, DID A COMPLETE WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND ROTATED THE TIRES. BUT, PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. *AK
2004 Gmc Safari recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2004 Gmc Safari.
- 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).
- Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Negative 2004 Gmc Safari car reviews
Positive 2004 Gmc Safari car reviews
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I checked out a lot of full-size SUVs, but they were all too expensive and had limited cargo space. Then, I stumbled upon the GMC Safari. Not only does it do everything I need it to, but it does it exceptionally well. It has more cargo space than both the Ford Expedition and Chevy Suburban, and it's over $12,000 cheaper than either of them. The only options I opted out of were AWD, leather, and the homelink. I use my Safari to transport DJ equipment, tow a 27-foot boat, and take leisurely Sunday drives with my family and friends. I get an average of 16 MPG in the city and 21-22 MPG on the highway, thanks to a K&N filter and a Dynomax muffler. The only downside is the front legroom, but since I'm 5'7'', it's not too bad.
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During the Alaskan winters, the side door is fantastic! We all pile in, shut the door, and keep warm before buckling up. With three kids and friends, there's always plenty of room for everyone and their stuff, and I can still fit in all my groceries.
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The Safari is actually a Mid-Van, so I won't have to refer to it as a Mini-Van anymore. The V-6 engine provides excellent power for a minivan, and the towing capacity is both impressive and necessary. I'm also thrilled to mention that it is Rear-Wheel Drive, which is fantastic!
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It's great to hear that you think the van is cool!
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This is my 2nd Safari. My husband is driving the other one now. I liked it so much that I bought another one. It has all-wheel drive and plenty of cargo space, making it a great value compared to other mini vans or SUVs when price is a concern.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2004 Gmc Safari problems:
1998-2004 Astro/Safari Problems - Chevrolet Forum - Chevy ...
Nov 15, 2012 ... I am looking at buying one of these in near future, but wanted to get your opinion what are the most common issues with these?
What are the problems aith AWD? | Chevy Astro and GMC Safari ...
Jan 20, 2014 ... DOES it have reliability problems? if so, what are they?? I read about the electric motor thingy going out on some people, but it didnt seem ...
2004 GMC Safari Problems and Complaints - 16 Issues
Problem with your 2004 GMC Safari? Our list of 16 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2004 GMC Safari.
2004 GMC Safari Crank No start when it rains | Chevy Astro and ...
Jun 10, 2013 ... Common issues are moisture inside the distributor cap and a bad coil arcing. You can mist the coil (and plug leads) with water while turning ...
GMC Safari Problems and Complaints - 30 Issues
Top GMC Safari Problems · ABS Light Due to Brake System Control Unit Failure · Outside Door Handles May Break · Door Locks Stop Working · Power Brake Units May Leak ...
Other years of Gmc Safari
Are you having problems with your 2004 Gmc Safari?
Orland Heaney 2024-11-10
While the GMC Safari may not be the most modern-looking van on the market, it does offer above average interior space. The exterior design has remained largely unchanged since 1996, which some may find charming. However, the boxy style can make it feel a bit top-heavy in windy conditions. The interior is simple and straightforward, with basic features. Overall, the Safari is a reliable choice for those in need of ample interior space.
Clifford McGlynn 2024-10-06
Nice to drive. Very roomy. Good torque. Ideal for family use!
Garett Cartwright 2024-08-29
I experienced some issues with my Safari, including sticking sliding passenger doors and rear hatch. Despite taking it to the dealer for resolution, the problems persisted. Additionally, I encountered transmission issues and oil cooling line leaks at only 42000 miles. While I am not satisfied with the fuel economy or front leg room, I am pleased to report that it is capable of towing our 3300 lb popup camper with ease, which was our primary reason for purchasing it.
Spencer Hermann 2024-08-16
Good: This minivan offers more interior and cargo space than most, and boasts a powerful 4.3 litre V6 engine with impressive towing capacity. Bad: However, some areas for improvement include interior quality, fuel economy, rattling, reliability, and a stiff ride. It would be great if GMC/Chevy could offer an optional V8 power and more luxury options, such as premium sound systems, OnStar, heated seats, and DVD players. As an owner of the SLT AWD model, I have noticed that these features are not currently available.
Jedediah Schmidt 2024-05-07
Hi there! That's a really nice van you have!