Major Problems with GMC Savana Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used GMC Savana to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for GMC Savana

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of GMC Savana.

Model Year	Complaints
2008 Savana	3
2007 Savana	4
2006 Savana	7
2005 Savana	11
2004 Savana	11
2003 Savana	22
2002 Savana	12
2001 Savana	18
2000 Savana	48
1999 Savana	49

Worst 3 GMC Savana complaints

2001 GMC Savana COOLING UNIT AND LINES Victims: 4

2003 GMC Savana FRONTAL Victims: 2

2000 GMC Savana ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Victims: 2

Browse GMC Savana complaints by category

Problems with ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, TIRES and HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from GMC Savana owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. the contact stated that when applying the brakes at speeds of at least...	24 ~ 12465 miles
TIRES gmc savana 2006 with only 9 300 miles on it. had dealer in fl check veh before we left on...	13 ~ 715 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > DOOR > BODY the 2 side doors for passengers fail to open properly because the hinges fail to operate correctly and stop the...	11 ~ 10455 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS consumer feels that there is a design flaw in the brake system. this flaw results in excessive brake pad wear.	8 ~ 7620 miles
STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2007 gmc savana. the contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle but the...	7 ~ 55230 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN while driving rear end failed vehicle skidded and it caught on fire. also transmission was inoperable and tail lights malfunctioned.	7 ~ 18511 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc savana. the contact stated that it took several attempts to start the vehicle....	6 ~ 48802 miles
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC original brakes wore out at 13 000. brakes were mushy and squealing. installed new pads and brakes are still squealing....	6
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS gmc savana 2006 with only 9 300 miles on it. had dealer in fl check veh before we left on...	5 ~ 1860 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS while driving 35 mph consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. upon impact both frontal air bags failed to...	5 ~ 19900 miles
ENGINE took my vehicle to the mechanic because it was making a noise he looked at it and found 5 exhaust...	4 ~ 58750 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc savana. while in park the contact stepped out the vehicle and the air...	4 ~ 16500 miles
AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc savana. while in park the contact stepped out the vehicle and the air...	4 ~ 113339 miles
SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2007 gmc savanna. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond to deceleration attempts....	4 ~ 86104 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc savana. the contact stated that both exterior and interior side cargo doors were...	4 ~ 28625 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER submission from explorer van co. re receipt of your correspondence dated july 10 2014 regarding the early warning reporting of...	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2005 gmc 2500 has severe rust on brake bearing spindles & knock head joints. ts jb...	4 ~ 31262 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING exhaust leak in connection from tail pipe to cat converter. sounds like metal squeaking under vehicle when engine is running...	4 ~ 26775 miles
SEATS driver seat falls out continuously. *nlm...	4 ~ 5 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM no incident ...yet. noticed the smell of gas after refueling just before christmas 2012. it has been getting worse ever...	3 ~ 121333 miles
STRUCTURE side cargo rear door hinges siezed and bent after opening. now it does not close properly (alignment from hinge) causing...	3 ~ 16641 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES gmc savana 2006 with only 9 300 miles on it. had dealer in fl check veh before we left on...	3 ~ 3100 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL since you just issued the recall on gm pickup trucks i would like to let you know i have the...	3 ~ 18000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the rear left door will not open the latch is broken. i own three gmc vans all of which the	3 ~ 26667 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES while the vehicle was in motion the rear tire on the drivers side peeled and the tire blew out and...	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING consumer noticed vehicle was leaking oil dropped about two quarts of oil. vehicle had only 1200 miles. dealer sated there	3 ~ 32009 miles
PUMP > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING consumer states that while driven the vehicle the power steering pump causing the vehicle to loose all power steering and	3 ~ 39774 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE rear door will open too wide hitting front door and causing damage. dealer notified. *ak...	3
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS seat belt buckle in rear bench broke unable to fasten seat belt. contacted dealer unable to fix problem.*ak...	3
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY side mirrors on both the front left (driver's door) and front right (passenger) door are not stable particularly at moderate...	3
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the right side inner pad was worn down and separated from the backing plate causing metal-to-metal contact the left side	3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE no incident ...yet. noticed the smell of gas after refueling just before christmas 2012. it has been getting worse ever...	2 ~ 98000 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc savana. while attempting to activate the air conditioning system the contact noticed that vehicle...	2 ~ 20500 miles
WHEELS 2005 gmc savanna with tire failure. consumer states that the van has had three tire blow outs. he stated that...	2
SUSPENSION dt*: the contact stated while driving between 40 and 50 mph the entire vehicle vibrated. in an attempt to correct...	2 ~ 36200 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING since you just issued the recall on gm pickup trucks i would like to let you know i have the...	2 ~ 27000 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION while driving rear end failed vehicle skidded and it caught on fire. also transmission was inoperable and tail lights malfunctioned.	2 ~ 5000 miles
SHOES/LININGS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS consumer had vehicle serviced 8 times. each time rotors/brakes and drums were repaired. mechanic stated the shoes did not fit...	2 ~ 30480 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING intermittent stalling. stalls at 55mph 20 mph while idling in park or while idling in drive. dealer service dept. unable	2 ~ 12500 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM catalytic converter has been replaced four times in less than three years. my dealer just keeps shrugging their shoulders and...	2 ~ 25500 miles
DRUM > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS drum and brakes are failing every 13 000 miles without notice. service station advises they have had several related problems.	2
GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) > STEERING basicly the van i have been driving has proven to be unsafe and hazardest to me and my family. no	2
POWER TRAIN the vehicle is out of warranty. however it only has 63k plus miles on the odometer. the transmission suddenly became...	1 ~ 63000 miles
PEDALS AND LINKAGES > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when approaching stop light with traffic the brake pedal went to the floor. i had to swerve and use the	1 ~ 57000 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES side cargo rear door hinges siezed and bent after opening. now it does not close properly (alignment from hinge) causing...	1 ~ 49923 miles
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE van has less than 60 000 m. last 2-3 years rust corrosion on frame has now become so bad its...	1 ~ 52400 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2000 gmc savanna. the vehicle was being service for routine maintenance when the contact was...	1 ~ 55000 miles
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*- the contact owns a 2006 gmc savanna cargo van with an odometer reading of 26 000 miles. the horn...	1 ~ 26000 miles
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE fuel line from gas tank to "quick connect" split near the muffler. with the pressure of the fuel pump gasoline...	1 ~ 28850 miles
SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM ASSEMBLY > OTHER dt*: the contact stated when the door on the school bus was opened the stop sign arm did not deploy...	1 ~ 8708 miles
FRONT > SEAT BELTS passenger seat belt will not latch. *jb...	1
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i have a leak coming from muffler dripping black liquid. i complained at my dealer they said it was not	1 ~ 27000 miles
REAR/OTHER > SEAT BELTS dt: the contact complained about a seat belt failure. the second row right side passenger's seat belt was inserted backwards...	1 ~ 17000 miles
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS dt: the contact complained about a seat belt failure. the second row right side passenger's seat belt was inserted backwards...	1 ~ 17000 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING dt: the consumer stated while driving the 2000 gmc savanna vehicle experienced d the same problems as mentioned in recall...	1 ~ 87000 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE dt: the consumer stated that the fuel pump located inside the fuel tank basically burned out. consumer said the only...	1 ~ 82000 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while driving rear end failed vehicle skidded and it caught on fire. also transmission was inoperable and tail lights malfunctioned.	1 ~ 10000 miles
IDLER AND ATTACHMENT > ARM > LINKAGES consumer noticed that while driving vehicle shook uncontrollably. consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection and mechanic determined that...	1
SHAFT PITMAN > GEAR BOX > STEERING consumer noticed that while driving vehicle shook uncontrollably. consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection and mechanic determined that...	1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL no warning failure of stanadyne pn [xxx] (gm number) or mfg #[xxx]. vehicle is 2001 gmc van [xxx]. the fuel...	1 ~ 65779 miles
CONVENTIONAL > PARKING BRAKE i bought this gmc savana used (22 000 miles) and the parking brake did not work at that time. the...	1 ~ 22500 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving there was smoke. once getting out of the vehicle it became engulfed with flames. other than normal service...	1 ~ 31000 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the consumer noticed that excessive fuel was leaking from the front of the vehicle. the dealer stated that the storage	1 ~ 21000 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY both cables to the liftgate broke due to rust and corrosion. dealer was contacted. dealer informed consumer that the truck	1 ~ 50000 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION one of the retaining knots which was apart of the wheel bearing assembly was missing which caused the front driver	1 ~ 135000 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM trouble starting: turn key vehicle turns over fine than shuts off. been to dealer six times they can not find...	1
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY there is a serious safety problem with my 2001 gmc savanna. the outside mirrors vibrate so badly that i have...	1
NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY > AXLE > REAR dealer has replaced the rear axle set seal four times at 1 000 20 000 55 000 and 60 000	1
FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE consumer was unable to fill the fuel tank with fuel because the fuel tank sensor malfunctioned. this resulted in the...	1 ~ 20 miles
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2003 gmc savanna 2500 ext van 6.0 h.o. engine. malfunction fuel gauge electrical burning smell from dash. radio failed four...	1 ~ 3300 miles
INJECTORS > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE fuel injectors clogging very often causing vehicle to run rough and shake. dealer repaired first time with only 11 000...	1 ~ 11000 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY consumer states while driving at 50 mph that the rear side window broke out land on the outside of the	1
COOLING UNIT AND LINES > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN fume inhalation from gear oil burning. family became ill at time of incident. gmcwants to repair the vehicle again and...	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY consumer gets dizzy and also gets a headache when looking through windshield. looks like windshield has waves and spots in	1
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS while driving child in passenger's front seat noticed seat getting very hot. consumer pulled over and saw heater of the	1
SEAT BELTS back bench outside seatbelts are of such design that when a child or adult is buckled up belt sits right	1
INTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY rear seatbelt locking mechanism doesn't work it is useless. also rearview mirror shakes when driving driver cant't see what is	1
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING basicly the van i have been driving has proven to be unsafe and hazardest to me and my family. no	1
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN basicly the van i have been driving has proven to be unsafe and hazardest to me and my family. no	1
RACK AND PINION > STEERING basicly the van i have been driving has proven to be unsafe and hazardest to me and my family. no	1
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while driving and applying brakes they squealed. consumer contacted dealer. dealer lubricated brakes. after brakes were lubricated they locked up...	1
VACUUM > POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while driving and applying brakes they squealed. consumer contacted dealer. dealer lubricated brakes. after brakes were lubricated they locked up...	1
SHOCK ABSORBER > FRONT > SUSPENSION front brake rotors and pads failure caused the brake noisy. yh...	1
FLOOR SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION shift lever has broken twice. dealer has repaired it. manufacturer has been contacted. *ak shift lever broke again cause is	1
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING brakes and rotors have deteriorated and continue to deteriorate within unreasonably short mileage periods the brakes smoke during short intervals...	1
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving at highway speeds computer shut down causing the vehicle to stall. dealer attempted to repair the vehicle eight	1 ~ 24000 miles
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS all panels are loose and very flimsy. yh...	1
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING consumer noticed while depressing brakes steering wheel locked half way in between turns.*ak...	1
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY 2003 savanah van missed on recall.*mr the consumer believes the same defective wiper module being recalled on other gmc vehicle's...	1
BEAD > TIRES front passenger's side tire peeled and the rear driver side tire tread separated. firestone steeltex r4s 245/75r16. *ak...	1
MID/REAR ASSEMBLY > SEATS the two captain chairs located behind the front seats are unstable and could be potentially dangerous in the event of	1

FAQ

What year GMC Savana is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 10 years, GMC Savana models of 2008, 2007, 2006 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for GMC Savana?

GMC Savana models of 1999 and 2000 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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