Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:springs:torsion Bar — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
139Complaints
6Recalls
9Crashes
2Fires
12Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:springs:torsion Bar (13.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Suspension:front:springs:torsion Bar complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Suspension:front:springs:torsion Bar
19 · 13.7%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
18 · 12.9%
not available
—
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
12 · 8.6%
Recalled
Recall 03V159000
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
10 · 7.2%
not available
—
Structure:body:door
8 · 5.8%
not available
—
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
8 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 03V159000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR19 · 13.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18 · 12.9%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER12 · 8.6%
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER10 · 7.2%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR8 · 5.8%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR8 · 5.8%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS8 · 5.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5 · 3.6%
SUSPENSION:FRONT5 · 3.6%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4 · 2.9%
Percentages are the share of the 139 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A BOOMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10071595 — filed 04/26/2004 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
“WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE, CAUSING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TORSION BAR TO BREAK. WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY APPROACHING…”NHTSA complaint 10042395 — filed 11/05/2003 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
“WHILE DRIVING TORSION BAR BROKE ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DOWN ON THE FRONT TIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT GMC NEEDS TO…”NHTSA complaint 10026262 — filed 08/01/2003 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Safari?
Suspension:front:springs:torsion bar issues are the most-reported category, cited in 19 of 139 NHTSA complaints (13.7%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (18), visibility:windshield wiper/washer (12), equipment:appliance:air conditioner (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 GMC Safari have?
139 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 GMC Safari have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 GMC Safari's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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