1999 GMC Savana recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
What could happen: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 SAVANA.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09E012000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-598-7589.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT. THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE THAT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
What could happen: IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THREE SCREW CLAMPS TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE JOINTS. IF THE CLAMPS ARE NOT THE SCREW TYPE, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLAMPS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 SAVANA.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V085000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE THAT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THREE SCREW CLAMPS TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE JOINTS. IF THE CLAMPS ARE NOT THE SCREW TYPE, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLAMPS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 11, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1999 GMC Savana owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (14), Hydraulic (14), Body / structure (7), Wheels / tires (6), Steering (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/13/2014 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SAVANNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FUND THAT THE STARTER BOLT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
08/19/2006 · Steering
THE POWER BRAKE/STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE, RENDERING THE POWER BRAKE AND STEERING INOPERABLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL AND PRESENTED A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES AT THE TIME. I WAS AND REMAIN CONCERNED THAT THE PART DEFECT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED EARLIER AND PRESENTED A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLA…
04/04/2005 · Steering
STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. DEALER STATED THE CONVERSION COMPANY MADE THE VEHICLE TOO HEAVY. *AK
01/13/2005 · Steering
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM......IT HAPPENED AFTER MAKING A SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER…
12/07/2004 · Body / structure
DEFECTIVE HINGES ON SIDE CARGO DOORS. SIDE DOORS NOT FREQUENTLY USED. REPEATEDLY GREASED/OILED TO REDUCE TENSION AND FORCE NECESSARY TO OPERATE DOORS. DOORS NOW INOPERABLE. HINGES CRACKED & RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AFTER ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OF OWNING VEHICLE. PASSENGERS WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE IF USING CENTER SEATS. HINGES ARE USELESS. PER GMC, MY PROBLEM; TA…
05/03/2004 · Body / structure
HINGES ON 60/40 CARGO DOORS ARE VERY STIFF. DOORS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. RECENTLY, LOWER HINGE ON 40 DOOR HAS BROKEN. REPLACEMENT OF ALL HINGES ON THESE DOORS IS APPROXIMATELY $1100. HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM (HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HINGES ON 95 VANDURA).*AK
04/30/2004 · Seat belts
THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *LA
04/20/2004 · Airbags
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *AK *JB