2003 GMC Safari Base
1GKEL19XX3B513479
Vehicle history report for the 2003 GMC Safari Base (VIN 1GKEL19XX3B513479). Green. 127,971 mi reported. Registered in Md. 3 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1GKEL19XX3B513479
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 A…
Remedy: 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).
NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
CERTAIN MINIVANS HAVE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT RUBBER BOOT AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE (BOTH LEFT/RIGHT SIDES), WHICH COULD RESULT IN CUTTING OF THE BOOT THAT IS INTENDED TO SEAL THE BALL JOINT. IF THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT WERE CUT, CONTAMINATION FROM THE ROAD (SALT, DIRT, WATER, ETC.) COULD ENTER THE BALL SOCKET AREA OF THE BALL JOINT CAUSING THE JOINT TO WEAR OUT TOO…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA Campaign #03V328000 · 12/09/2003We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 GMC Safari, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 2 reported injuries
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 27
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2003 GMC Safari.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINES IN FRONT ARE RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING CREATING A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AS THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. I SEE THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH GMC VEHICLES. THE COST TO REPAIR IS ASTRONOMICAL. WHY ISN'T GMC RECALLING THESE VEHICLES?
NHTSA ODI #10779874SERVICE BRAKES
. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT I HAD WITH MY AUTOMOBILE: GMC SAFARI WAGON 2003. ONE DAY IN JULY THIS YEAR (2014) I APPLIED THE BRAKES OF THE ABOVE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS APPROACHING THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN THROUGH THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS RECENTLY WORKED ON. I INVESTIGATED THE REASON WHY IT FAILED TO STOP AND FOUND OUT THAT …
NHTSA ODI #10639617SERVICE BRAKES
MY ABS SYSTEM IS THE SAME AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. I WILL PRESS ON THE BRAKES AND IT ACTS LIKE I HAVE NO BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP YESTERDAY AND THEY SAID THE PART WOULD COST $1,310.00 FOR ONE PART ALONE. WHY HAVEN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION. BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT.
NHTSA ODI #10583278AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10504464SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS SYSTEM DEFECT. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, AT VERY LOW SPEED (ABOUT 5 MPH) ABS ENGAGES, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO NEED FOR IT. THIS CAUSES A "FLOATING" SENSATION, MAKING CONTROL OF THE STOPPING POINT UNCERTAIN, UNLIKE NORMAL BRAKING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY, CAR IS PULLING TO RIGHT DURING THE STOP, WHEN ABS ENGAGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430853SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BACKING UP MY BOAT TO LAUNCH IT, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SLOWED IT DOWN AND ENDED UP THROWING IT IN PARK TO KEEP THE BOAT, TRAILER, AND VAN FROM ROLLING INTO THE WATER. GOT TOWED OUT AND A FRIEND PULLED THE BOAT HOME FOR ME. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUSTED DRIVERS SIDE STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT HAD RUPTURED. HE ALSO TO…
NHTSA ODI #10413051SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
OUR 2003 GMC SAFARI HAS HAD THE BRAKES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT AT LEAST SIX TIMES (EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO) FOR THE PAST YEAR. EACH TIME, THE PEDAL JUST DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, THE "BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE HAVE HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET IT TO FINALLY ROLL TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY IT HAS BEEN AT SLOW SPEEDS…
NHTSA ODI #10277216SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON VACATION ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON DURING DRIVING. WHEN BRAKING, JUST BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, MORE TRAVEL IN THE PEDAL AND BRAKES CHATTERED. ABS LIGHT MIGHT BE ON OR OFF DURING BRAKING. WENT TO DEALER, RIGHT FRONT SENSOR ERRATIC. REPLACED RIGHT FRONT SENSOR. WORKS GOOD AGAIN. VAN HAS 32,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208656+ 19 more complaints on record.
