GMC Savana Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank GMC Savana model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (1) and the 2003 the most (22).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 5 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | — |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 7 | Equipment | — | — |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 8 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 9 | Tires | — | — |
| 2015 | 2 | 4 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | Power train | — | — |
| 2008 | 3 | 7 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 4 | Wheels | — | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 7 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | 3 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 7 | Steering | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 6 | Power train | — | — |
| 2002 | 12 | 0 | Structure | — | — |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
12 | 7 | Fuel system | — | — |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
12 | 5 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
22 | 11 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the GMC Savana years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2003 GMC Savana: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 4 (18%); Service brakes 3 (14%); Structure 3 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 27,000 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
2005 GMC Savana: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (17%); Service brakes 2 (17%); Steering 2 (17%).
5 recall campaigns listed.
2004 GMC Savana: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 2 (17%); Power train 2 (17%); Service brakes 2 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The GMC Savana years with the fewest complaints
2011 GMC Savana: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 1 (100%).
5 recall campaigns listed.
2009 GMC Savana: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (50%).
8 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in GMC Savana owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2002 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest GMC Savana recalls
- GM/FMVSS 225/OWNER'S MANUAL INFORMATION (2003 model year; 1,707,825 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2003; 03V250000)
- SEAT BELT BUCKLES (2003–2006 model years; 425,593 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2005; 05V558000)
- Head Impact/FMVSS 201 (2009–2014 model years; 303,013 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V117000)
- Liquid may Leak into Power Window Switch (2014–2017 model years; 207,483 vehicles across all models; filed May 2018; 18V295000)
- Rear HVAC Electrical Circuit May Overheat (2003–2023 model years; 150,830 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2023; 23V247000)
All 58 GMC Savana recall campaigns · GMC Savana problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
GMC Savana years FAQ
Which GMC Savana year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there GMC Savana years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2003, 2005 and 2004 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common GMC Savana problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (17 of 113 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the GMC Savana have?
NHTSA lists 58 recall campaigns covering the GMC Savana. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the GMC Savana recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.