2004 GMC Safari Review
Price Estimate: $2,170 - $3,448

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Standard eight-passenger seating, 5,400-pound trailer rating, torquey V6.
Cons
- Poor fuel economy, intrusive engine cover makes for small footwells, overall lack of refinement.
What’s new
An Argent grille is now standard on the base model.
Edmunds says
Other than its ability to mimic a SUV in terms of towing ability and cargo space, there's not much about the Safari van that makes it a viable choice over its numerous competitors.
For sale near Tampa, FL
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Florida
$229/mo for Safari Base
Safari Base
vs
$195/mo
Avg. Large Minivan
Reliability
The 2004 GMC Safari has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
3 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 07E106000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 130000
- Defect Description:
- CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
- Defect Consequence:
- WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
- Recall Number:
- 06E043000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 88303
- Defect Description:
- CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Defect Consequence:
- THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Corrective Action:
- HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Recall Number:
- 06E026000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 61944
- Defect Description:
- CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Defect Consequence:
- WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Corrective Action:
- PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Warranty
3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 6 years / 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
GMC Safari Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
truly the best vehicle we ever had
5 out of 5 starsmesh7, 04/30/2013
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
our 2003 gmc safari is the best vehicle i could ever hope for . weve put over 200.000 miles on it and almost no maintence. it
never breaks down and all weve had to replace is fuel pump and alternator. This van is perfect and i ABSOLUTELY recommend it . GMC did a great job with this one . VERY RELIABLE
safari
4.38 out of 5 starsGWD, 03/19/2004
2004 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
low upkeep costs. parts are cheep, alot
of cargo room, good head and body room.
Can fit two adults and car seat in same
row and still have moving around room,
no other mid-sized van has that. 8
passenger spaces with luggage for 8
people inside the van. Can fit 8' 2x4 on
floor and 10'
on top of dash with all doors closed.
4'x8' plywood fits inside with doors closed.
Excellent for the long haul
4.38 out of 5 starsJackjrp, 11/01/2003
2004 GMC Safari Rwd 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
No it's not sexy or sporty but this is
a great vehicle for anyone that plans
to put a lot of miles on it. The ride
on rough roads is a little truck-like -
not punishing, mind you, but not as
good as car based minivans. Highway
ride is very good though. My wife
shows dogs and a standard mini-van was
too small and she didn't want a full
size van. She has found the … Safari to
be just right. Have over 150,000
miles on our first one with virtually
no problems - most reliable vehicle
we've ever had (yes, we had a Toyota
and a Nissan...not bad vehicles but
not Nirvana either). One additional
note, the Safari gets surprisingly
good mileage.
2003 GMC Safari
3.5 out of 5 starsBrian Schneider, 03/04/2005
2003 GMC Safari AWD 3dr Minivan (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
This is the second Safari we have owned. While dated in style and design- the AWD, spaciousness, towing capacity and fuctionality make it a good good value for the price. Very functional for hauling kids, towing the boat and packing full of gear for hunting/fishing trips. Both of our vehicle have been reliable w/ minimal need for service other than routine maintenance.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2004 GMC Safari, so we've included reviews for other years of the Safari since its last redesign.
2004 Safari Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,195 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $229/month |
Seating | 8 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 41.3 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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