GMC Savana Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a GMC Savana? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
GMC Savana — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Excellent | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2025 | Good | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2024Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2023 | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2022 | Excellent | — | 1 | — | — | — | Structure | Full report → |
| 2021 | Good | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2020 | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2019 | Good | — | 6 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2018 | Excellent | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2017 | Good | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2016 | Good | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2015 | Excellent | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2014 | Good | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2013 | Caution | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | Tires | Full report → |
| 2012 | Good | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2011 | Good | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | Fuel/Propulsion System | Full report → |
| 2010 | Good | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | Wheels | Full report → |
| 2009 | Good | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2008 | Caution | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2007 | Good | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2006 | Good | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2005 | Good | 2 | 9 | — | — | — | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
| 2004 | Good | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | Fuel System / Gasoline | Full report → |
| 2003 | Avoid | 4 | 13 | 2 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2002 | Good | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2001 | Avoid | — | 16 | — | 8 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2000 | Avoid | — | 38 | 4 | — | — | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
| 1999 | Avoid | 1 | 37 | 2 | 1 | — | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
| 1998 | Caution | 2 | 22 | — | — | — | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
| 1997Worst | Avoid | 2 | 38 | — | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1996 | Avoid | 1 | 25 | — | 2 | — | Fuel System / Gasoline | Full report → |
31 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common GMC Savana Problems
Based on 245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Recent Safety Recalls — GMC Savana (2022–2026)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express Cutaway, and 2025-2026 Savana Cutaway vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a tire with sidewall damage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect all tire sidewalls and replace tires with sidewall damage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252542620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The front passenger seat head restraint may have been improperly welded to the seat frame.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front passenger seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252503580.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direction.
Remedy: Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242471620.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. The impact beam located in the driver's side door may have improper welds.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side door, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 800-462-8782. GM's recall number for this recall is N242490780.
Showing 5 recalls from 2022–2026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.
Savana Years to Avoid
Best Savana Years to Buy
GMC Savana Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — GMC Savana Reliability
What year Savana has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 1997 GMC Savana had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 38 complaints and 2 safety recalls. See the full 1997 report for specific defects.
Is the GMC Savana reliable?
The GMC Savana has accumulated 245 owner-filed complaints and 57 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2024 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Savana.
What are the most common Savana problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Service Brakes / Hydraulic (52 reports), Structure (21 reports), Tires (21 reports), Electrical System (16 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Savana has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific GMC Savana VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free GMC Savana VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily