| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 4 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
6.2 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 51000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 84000 miles |
| Previous car | GMC Safari |
Summary:
This car drives and handles great
Faults:
Water gets in and pools on the carpet right inside the sliding door when it rains. It does not matter if the car is sitting or being driven. No one has been able to correct this problem.
General Comments:
Other than the water problem, I have no other complaints.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 10th December, 2003
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
6.8 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 290 miles |
| Most recent distance | 28889 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Chevy Astro |
Summary:
Nice vehicle with some inferior parts
Faults:
Drivers window motor had to be replaced at 20000 miles. My previous Astro van had the same problem.
Washer fluid system would not work after only 1000 miles.
Brakes were pulsing when the brake was applied. I took it to a mechanic and he said the rotors were so grooved and warped that if he turned them they would not be thick enough to pass inspection. This was at 28,889 miles. The dealer where I purchased it said that GMC would only guarantee rotors up to 12 months or 36,000 miles. I called 800 -GMC-Truc and was told pretty much the same thing. They offered a free oil change for my trouble ($200 for rotors) They are so kind! Because of their attitude, my next car will probably be a Honda.
General Comments:
I have enjoyed owning the van until this point. If the GMC had made an effort to help pay for the inferior rotors I would be thrilled. We use the van on long trips and it has performed beautifully. I don't care much for the hump in the middle of the center seat.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 21st November, 2002
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 6 cylinder Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 1 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
3.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 48 miles |
| Most recent distance | 40000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Corolla |
Summary:
A piece of garbage
Faults:
All wheel drive transfer case problem at 15,000 which GM knew / knows about.
Front end alignment at 15k, 22k, 40k.
Both idler arms at 40k.
Car electronic jacks blow fuses.
Differential replaced at 40k.
Third set of tires at 39k.
Front vents quit at 37k.
General Comments:
Holds 7 people comfortably.
Gets about 14mpg.
GM and GM dealers laughing all the way to the bank.
Handles well in the snow.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 3rd July, 2001
Couldn't agree more. Have had similar problems. Of course the AWD transfer case fiasco, van destroys tires, front end constantly out of alignment, also replaced pads and rotors at 25000 miles, terrible gas mileage. Am looking to unload right now, and although the van "appears" to be in mint condition, trade-in value is pathetic (no where near KBB or Edmunds).
On the plus side, engine runs well, sits 7 people quite nicely, dutch doors in rear a plus, wife likes it, also live in snow country and it does handle well in the snow (although I never know when the vehicle is in AWD).
Also would not purchase a GMC again and neither will my kids or their kids or their kids.
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.3 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
5.2 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 10 miles |
| Most recent distance | 35000 miles |
| Previous car | GMC Safari |
Summary:
Good van, poor service
Faults:
My big problem is the transfer-case.
This is an all wheel drive van.
After 3,500 miles, the transfer case was causing a bucking, where it would engage and disengage. I took it in for service, and the fix was to replace the oil in the transfer case. It was OK for 15,000 miles, Same problem, but much worse. Back to the dealer, same fix, replace the oil in the transfer case.
The next problem, the output shaft on the transmission broke. It was towed in and this was repaired. At 35,500 miles the transfer case started to act up again.
I think I had a defective transfer case from the start, but the dealer will not change it, just the oil. I would like to hear from anyone having this problem with a 1999 AWD Astro or Safari van.
rvptv@aol.com
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th June, 2001
First of all I want to thank you for posting this information because I have a 2000 Safari with similar transmission, differential and transfer case problems. GMC is trying the same scam on me, that is replacing the oil!!! I do not believe for one minute that this is a fix, I've suspected from the beginning that this is a quick fix to get me out of their hair until the van is out of warranty. They've replaced the oil twice already. I've asked them to provide information if the reliability of the components were reduced but I got to see a sweet dance.
People, Stay away from this vehicle!