2003 GMC Safari Consumer Discussions

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Electrical Problems

• Re: Brake and ABS lights. [egillett]

  Written by: spike99 on Jun 22, 2008 8:22:32 PM

  Thanks for your concern.... For your records, there's a known problem with the ABS system on the Astro/Safari vans. There's an official TSB but NO recall. Still amazes me why no formal recall. For details.... Bottom line is... Defector sensor (which needs to be replaced) or the existing sensor is too "rusted up" to work properly... ----------------- .... Basically, dirty sensor mounting surfaces cause the signal to drop out at low ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Real World MPG

• Re: Fuel mileage [spike99]

  Written by: redfisher on Jan 20, 2008 4:11:43 PM

  I looked at the sticker inside the door and found that i have the gov-lock rearend with 3.42 gears and my tires are 215/70/16 and that i should run them at 38 psi.So i pumped them up and running easy i get 630 km on about 85 liters of gas.(my old 97 dodge caravan would get 850 km on 85 liters.But i had to retire her and i could not afford ... Read More

2003 GMC Oil filter

• Re: 2003 GMC Oil filter [flintlockdave]

  Written by: slushpup on Jan 13, 2008 7:03:08 AM

  Well now, I am glad to hear this. I have a 2003 Safari Van and also a 1997 Van. The 97 uses a fram 3980 and the 2003 uses the 3387. My main concern for using the longer filter is that it is easier to take off. My filter wrench has very little room to get the short filter off and then the filter tends to collapse making it that much ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Transmission Problem

• Re: 2000 Astro Hard Shift [w5han]

  Written by: guest5 on Jan 1, 2008 6:41:51 PM

  Same problem on my 1998 GMC Safari in 2003. Engine 1870 code. I had the valve body in the transmission updated at a transmission shop. $368.88 and the problem has been fixed for the last 4 years.

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• 2003 gmc safari van

  Written by: mauialii on Jan 1, 2008 4:50:42 PM

  looking at a van with the towing package.what all does this package consist of?does it have a trans. cooler?is it worth the extra cash?thanks

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Real World MPG

• Fuel mileage

  Written by: redfisher on Dec 31, 2007 6:50:57 AM

  Hello, I just bought a 2003 gmc safari and i like the van but the gas mileage is really bad.I am looking for any mods to help increase the mileage? First tank i got 17.5 mpg (thats imp. as i live in canada,) thats about 14.5 mpg in us terms. So far i have put in a k&n filter cleaned the mas sensor and infalted the tires to 35 psi i ... Read More

2003 GMC Oil filter

• 2003 GMC Oil filter

  Written by: slushpup on Dec 27, 2007 5:34:36 PM

  I have a 2003 GMC Safari, I use a Fram 3387A oil filter which seems short and hard to reach with a filter wrench. I am wondering if I can use the Fram 3980 filter. The only difference I can see is that it is a couple inches longer. The gasket and diameter is the same. This would really help to get the filter on and off.

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Transmission Problem

• Re: 98 Astro, Jerking and Hesitating [fardelean]

  Written by: connitta on Nov 21, 2006 9:30:11 AM

  Same problem on my 2003 Safari. We also replaced all of the above. We were sure it was the transmission, too. Not so. After driving it from Michigan to Tennessee for a funeral, and having it jerk the entire time, we took it to another dealer. He immediately knew what the problem was. They said the problem was in the screen of the transfer case. The dealer had a "bulletin(?)" on ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• Re: 1998 GMC Safari making whine noise sounds like coming from rear end [jmick75]

  Written by: dang3 on Jun 28, 2007 12:04:57 PM

  My 2003 had a sheared retaining bolt and metal debris ruined one of the bearings inside the differential. cost was $700 to fix. I thought it was a wheel bearing, but was wrong. If you are going 45 MPH and swing the wheel left to right and back again, and hear no pitch change, it is more than likely a differential problem

• Mirror Wobble

  Written by: woolfort on Jul 8, 2003 7:17:11 AM

  Hello Everyone,   2 months ago we purchased a 2003 GMC Safari. At about 15oo miles the driver's side mirror started to wobble. At times it has gotten so bad that the image has been blurred. The wind, road surface, and speed impact this. We have had the mirror replaced once. We have brought the van to the dealer 4 times for this problem. The tire balance was checked and 3 out ... Read More

• 2003 GMC Safari Vibrations

  Written by: dusty19 on Apr 24, 2003 6:48:53 AM

  I have owned 2 astros (1986 & 1993) and 2 Safaris (2000 & 2003). All but the 2003 have been excellent vehicles once I changed the Uniroyals for Michelins. I have logged over 450,000 miles on the first 3 vans. The 2003 has had a vibration thats close to a rumble that becomes so loud at 70mph that you can't have a normal conversation and now at 9000 miles has developed ... Read More

• Answers to a couple of recent questions on this site (and some comments)

  Written by: obus100 on Feb 6, 2003 6:33:30 PM

  Hi I had a 2000 AWD Safari and just traded it in on an order out Red/Tan 2003 AWD Astro. The 2003 Chev Astros and GMC Safaris are Clones: same price, same features, same colors. Best buy is who has the best price. They are made on the same Baltimore assembly line, just depends on what day it is. Differences are grille trim and some labels/badges. They are going to make ... Read More