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Used 2001 GMC Safari Minivan Consumer Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
15 reviews

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Pros
Cons
3.88 out of 5 stars

CHEAP TO KEEP

bam bam, 11/13/2003
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful

This vehicle will last you a lifetime and spend very little time in the repair shop.maintenance costs are super low if you stay away from the awd. i purchased an extended warranty but i know I'll rarely use it. as long as you understand its a dinosaur to drive around town pot holes. also note that it is a durable "truck" that can get to be a handful when the fuel tank gets close to one quarter full when the pavement is wet. adding weight during the winter with the correct truck type tires will keep you unstuck. the engine power could be stronger, but the smooth power band and not too stiff suspension makes it pretty effortless to drive.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

Has been good to us

Finzphan, 07/07/2007
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This van is set up to haul the family and its cargo. Has been good both in town and on the highway. Not the best looking vehicle on the road, but it does what is asked of it. Regular maintenance keeps it in shape.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

WHY! Did They Stop Making Them???

GMC all the way, 02/03/2009
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Just love this Van! This is my second I purchased the first on brand new in 1990 with a high top, swivel seats, TV, VCR... after 156,000 miles I bought a 2001 in 2002 and still have it today. It has 163,000 miles and still going. I'm 6'-8" tall and 360 lbs. The van is a work horse. I fit like a glove It has gone to Florida and all parts northeast. I used it to move my tools and merchandise in both of my businesses. Why oh Why did they stop making this creature of love!!! I will miss you and will with all my heart try to keep what I have for as long as it will run. I have replaced many components, but that OK I want to keep it for a long time. Long Live the Astro and Safari Vans...

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Two time owner. . .

Vikki, 09/24/2003
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

We had a 1991 Safari as our first van and loved it, but only had the SLE. We now have and love the SLT seating and comfort. All the things we wished for in our first Safari van we got in our second Safari van. Now if they would have power door openers for the side and back doors, we would be even more thrilled! We have compared to lots of the SUVs and we like what we have better so far. The milage could be better (and it could be worse too!)

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3.38 out of 5 stars

wuz up with the low resale value

jess barger, 04/28/2003
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful

a nice van for people to ride a short distance but on a long trip it is very small in the front seats and the gas mileage is very low 12 in the city and 15 on the highway when the sticker show 16 to 20 it is a little bit deceiving.

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2 out of 5 stars

Nothing But Headaches

Steve, 01/23/2007
2001 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Should I start with the defective fuel pump that left me stranded in the Interstate or the power window motors that died after 6 months. Dealer took forever to repair. I also had a bad drive shaft that clunked. No wonder they discontinued it

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4.75 out of 5 stars

I LOVE my Safari!

Happy Safari Owner, 08/27/2010
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have nothing but good things to say about this van. Maybe I just got lucky with my particular vehicle, but I have had to put nothing but tires on this thing! I bought this 2001 SLE in April of 2009 and it had 120K miles already, so I brought it by my mechanic's shop and it passed with flying colors. It's now over a year and 25K miles later, and I had to put tires on it. Runs strong with 145K miles, no smoke, plenty of power, handles wonderfully, very comfortable for my bad back with 4 herniated discs, and I use it almost every weekend to haul a large amount of musical gear to the stage. I really don't understand why they are disc'd, but a 2011 or 2012 return would be VERY SMART!

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2.5 out of 5 stars

not up to par

hrsepor31, 11/05/2002
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

this is a slopply put together van rattles not repairable in side door fuel mileage very poor 17 highway 13 city the cloth interior is not very durable shows stains easily brakes wear out quickly third set already at 30000 rotors warpped from factory throttle service is expensive and unaffordable

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2.13 out of 5 stars

2001 General Mistake Concieved

Burnt, 12/29/2003
2001 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This vehicle spent more time in the garage being fixed than on the road.Seventeen times in just over two years.Brakes warping,bad tires,water leaks around the seals,broken receiver on seatbelt (driver's),paint peeling on the plastic bumper in circular patterns,electric lock actuator burned out(passenger side),unbalanced tires from the factory one that was replaced due to excessive radial sidewall runout,doors misaligned from the factory,sidepanel on seat broke twice because of plastic rivet mounts,and this is some of the problems I experienced in a two year time frame. This dealer gave me a loaner car once in seventeen trips!!!Find your own way to work.

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2.63 out of 5 stars

Bad choice

W.alter, 12/29/2003
2001 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I had problems with the brakes from the start and the steel belts on the tires.The catalytic converter and muffler needed replacing after one year and at separate times.I had to take it back shortly after buying it after I noticed grease under the floormats.Had to be dealer or factory shabbyness.Poor quality control at both places.No wonder Haskins went out of business and GM is losing repeat customers.

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2.75 out of 5 stars

Versatile, But Unreliable

Joe V., 08/23/2005
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Safari is arguably the most versatile vehicle on the market. No other vehicle can carry cargo, 8 passengers and occasionally tow a trailer. I did all of the above with my Safari and it was great. Unfortunately, the Safari was not as reliable as I expected. During the 4 years I owned it, I had to replace the transmission, power lock actuators, vacuum diaphram, rear heat control, dashboard switches, mass air flow sensor, exhaust system and give it a complete tune-up. I also had the interior carpet replaced along with the weatherstripping because water leaked in from the dutch doors. I was so disappointed in the quality of the Safari that i traded it in and bought a 2005 Ford E-150

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2 out of 5 stars

Quite the vehicle in its prime! Up to 100,000?

Ron Snopek, 06/28/2017
2001 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

It has an excellent transmission! Maybe someone else replaced it. I paid $5000@108,000 miles for my Safari in 2012 and in 5 years and 32,000 miles it has nickeled and dimed me for $9,570 total in repairs (of the receipts that I kept) not including oil changes. 8 times I was towed and misspent $1,175 of that total for tune-ups, sensors, distributer caps, etc. when it turned out to be a loose wire in a harness, which needed to be replaced, of course. Those repair guys loved me. I had to replace the head gasket, fuel pump, rear differential swap-out, brakes (twice), oil cooler lines, power steering hoses, ABS module, the door handle broke off, mufflers, exhaust system and cat converter, front sway bar and links, EGR valve, and the windshield leaked so I bought a new one--that was a minor expense. Now my '01 Safari has a bad ABS wheel sensor and the dome light defeat button is shorting out. The vehicle is worth $1,500 after I have the wheel sensor replaced. It burns no smoke, however, and has 190hp@only 4,400rpm and 250lbs of torque @ only 2800rpm. Mine sat 7 people a few times. It's junk!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

a good family van

jenj1971, 04/05/2003
2001 GMC Safari SLE Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

this is a very reliable van for large families. my kids love the rear radio.

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5 out of 5 stars

Great Van if you need the space

dave, 07/02/2002
2001 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This Van is excellent for space i really need it beCause i have 5 kids. love the features i love this van.

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5 out of 5 stars

A winner!!!

livestrong 68, 07/21/2018
2001 GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Love it..

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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