2005 GMC Safari: common problems and reliability

One of the best Safari years.

The best GMC Safari year. All Safari years

5 owner complaints, most about structure. 2 recalls.

Should I buy a 2005 Safari?

The 2005 GMC Safari has 5 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and steering.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

5
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 GMC Safari vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Safari years only. How we score it

Is 2005 a good year for the Safari?

Across the 5 Safari model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2005) to 49 (2001). With 5 complaints, the 2005 Safari sits below the model's median of 27.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

structure
2
steering
2
electrical system
1
suspension
1
service brakes
1

Recalls affecting the 2005 Safari

fuel system, gasoline

Campaign 06E043000

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.

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E026000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding the vehicle's core utility, durability, and practicality, but this is heavily tempered by the expectation of ongoing mechanical issues and the need for owner maintenance.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Safari. See the full Safari owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Safari listings typically run $8,057–$11,080 across 2000 to 2005 model years.

Other Safari model years

Compare every Safari year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Safari against its rivals

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