1995 GMC Safari SLX review from North America
"Good traction vehicle with plenty of space, but poor quality workmanship"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
New rear shocks were required at 73,000 km.
The air conditioning compressor failed at 82,000 km. It failed again the next year, but was replaced free of charge by the dealer (I had to remind them that I paid $1,000 for the repair one year earlier).
The hatchback shocks have been replaced several times. I finally bought the lifetime warranty ones from Canadian Tire and have had no further problems.
The fuel pump failed at 108,00 km and again at 161,000 km. The dealer tells me that you have to keep the tank over half full to provide adequate cooling for the fuel pump. Now that's real convenient for long travel.
The universal joints failed on the drive-shaft at 120,000 km.
The oil line from the radiator to the oil filter leaked at 122,000 km and had to be replaced.
The starter failed at 138,000 km.
The rear hatch release rods came out of their housings at 145,000 km.
The rear hatch electric release wouldn't function at 150,000 km. I drove it for over a year with the interior trim off as the release just wouldn't work with the trim in place. I finally traced the problem to a worn wire. Once I replaced the wire, the electric release worked fine.
The rear pinion seal failed at 152,000 km.
The front pinion seal failed at 158,000 km.
General comments?
If I didn't perform most of the maintenance by myself on this vehicle, I would have sold it years ago.
The van has great traction in snow and ice (all wheel drive) but lacks good clearance for mud.
The van is great for hauling 8 passengers. We have taken it on a few ski trips.
The door seals are poor. You can see daylight through them when the wind blows. There isn't much one can do since the hinges are flimsy.
The van stranded me once, which is once too often. Away it goes.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.3 litre Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 68000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 162000 kilometres |
| Previous car | GMC Jimmy |
| Date of Entry | 3rd July, 2002 |