Faults:

Oxygen sensor tends to fail regularly,I have replaced it 3 times in the last 4 years.

Rear Dutch doors are very stiff, challenging to close.

Sliding door bearings have seized requiring repacing.

Fuel rail starting leaking and the engines started to back fire because of too much fuel in the injectors.

General Comments:

We are the second owners and for the repairs we have had to do, we consider them minor for the effort put out.

One concern we do have is that it uses a lot of gas.

However for the strength and performance, its worth it. It is a great highway vehicle.

The fuel rail is a problem with the Vortex engines. They suseptable to springing a leak and cannot be repaired. You have to buy a new one and at a cost of $700.00,GMC should be sending out a re-call notice. I had to replace this part.

There have been some electrical issues starting to develop. Door locks and windows are starting to fail. The wires are starting to crack and split, causing the power windows and door locks to work intermitantly.

The front seats are very uncomfortable, especially the passengers seat, no leg room.

However, good room for the rear seats for a 8 passenger van.

Faults:

Power locks system failed: $1,100 Cdn at the dealer to successfully fix (when locks went, they "blew" the actuators, AND remained stuck on and drained the battery).

Front brakes have had major servicing twice now: the van seems heavy for the brake system. $600 each time (rotors warped both times).

The lower skirt of the van began to rust through and I had pieces of new metal welded on and the whole lower area re-painted: $1,200 Cdn.

The steering column levers: the turn-signal/washer/cruise control, and the transmission shift lever: both are flimsy and have been replaced once.

General Comments:

I must have a GMC angel. Nothing major has gone wrong. The engine just keeps on going and going and going. I really think this 4.3 Vortec is one of GM's greatest contributions to the car world.

I have had my Safari customized: the transmission has the optional cooler, and the GM "shift kit" which greatly tighten the shifting of the transmission.

I replaced the AWD transfer case with a Blazer's 2 spd. It bolts right it: I can now choose 4-Lo.

Regardless of these customizations, the van displays none of the symptoms I read about that plagues these vans:

- my paint is NOT peeling, the body is in excellent condition. The paint has not even faded.

- I have never had to replace the fuel pump once, let alone multiple times.

- It is not overly squeeky or noisy inside.

- The engine offers reasonable power: I think I could get more power if I spent some money on a GM tech diagnosing and tweaking the engine.

Those are the two major complaints of my vehicle: the engine is running "rich" and is thus under-powered and gas mileage is below average.

My mileage is 5.5 km/l (haha), that's 15.6 mpg (Cdn gallon) and 13.0 mpg (US). I've been repeatedly assured that my transfer case swap should not have affected the mileage negatively, but I will say this: as a regular AWD vehicle I got 20% better mileage (550 km per tank, instead of the current 450), and previously owning a two-wheel drive 1990 Safari, IT got 600 km per tank.

Faults:

Replaced a fuel pump over the summer, but that's just routine maintenance, no complaints.

General Comments:

I bought this van (Safari SLT), after owning a 1996 Sonoma SLS extended cab which I had bought new. I like both vehicles very well, having no problems with either/or. I wanted a van with windows, instead of a cargo van. I use this van not only for everyday use, but to haul dirt bikes, gear, etc. and to also pull an enclosed trailer for trailing riding and racing Enduros, hare scrambles. I took the rear passenger seats out, so I have 8 ft. of room, and a trick cargo van with factory tinted windows. The Safari vans are a stout, bullet-proof, just a tad bit smaller than full-size van, but a real workhorse, unlike the soccer mom weenie minivans.