GMC Savana Problems by Year
NHTSA has 347 owner complaints and 58 safety recalls on file for the GMC Savana, across 31 model years (1995–2026). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (49). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
GMC Savana years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Savana year: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 Savana: 49 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1999 Savana: 49 complaints, 1 recall
- 1997 Savana: 46 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2011 Savana: 1 complaint, 5 recalls
- 2014 Savana: 1 complaint, 7 recalls
- 1995 Savana: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common GMC Savana problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 69 | 11 | 8 |
| Structure | 39 | 13 | 0 |
| Tires | 30 | 11 | 1 |
| Power Train | 28 | 11 | 0 |
| Steering | 28 | 13 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 27 | 15 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 25 | 14 | 6 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 23 | 9 | 0 |
| Visibility | 22 | 12 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 21 | 7 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 10 | 1 |
| Seats | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Engine | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Wheels | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Equipment | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All GMC Savana model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Savana | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2025 Savana | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2023 Savana | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2022 Savana | 2 | 2 | — | Power Train | |
| 2021 Savana | 2 | 3 | — | Steering | |
| 2020 Savana | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2019 Savana | 5 | 5 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2018 Savana | 3 | 7 | — | Engine | |
| 2017 Savana | 7 | 6 | — | Power Train | |
| 2016 Savana | 6 | 7 | — | Steering | |
| 2015 Savana | 2 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2014 Savana | 1 | 7 | — | Equipment | |
| 2013 Savana | 2 | 9 | — | Tires | |
| 2012 Savana | 3 | 7 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2011 Savana | 1 | 5 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2010 Savana | 3 | 4 | — | Wheels | |
| 2009 Savana | 2 | 8 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2008 Savana | 3 | 7 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2007 Savana | 6 | 3 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2006 Savana | 7 | 7 | — | Engine | |
| 2005 Savana | 13 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 Savana | 12 | 7 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Savana | 22 | 11 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 Savana | 12 | 0 | — | Structure | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 Savana | 19 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Savana | 49 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Savana | 49 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 Savana | 33 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1997 Savana | 46 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 Savana | 35 | 2 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 Savana | 2 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling |
More from GMC: all GMC models · GMC VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Savana years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1996 (35), 1997 (46), 1998 (33), 1999 (49), 2000 (49), 2001 (19), 2002 (12), 2003 (22), 2004 (12), 2005 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Savana year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the GMC Savana?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 69 complaints across 11 model years.
How many recalls does the GMC Savana have?
58 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.