GMC Savana Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
No GMC Savana year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries multiple recall campaigns. Based on NHTSA data, 2017 has the highest complaint index (100) followed by 2007 (95), 2016 (89), 2005 (84) and 2019 (79); 2006 is the lowest-risk year with a complaint index of 63.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2007Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Avoid 2019Lowest-risk years:Caution 2006
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 67
- Recall campaigns
- 41
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Savana Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
GMC Savana problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 84 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 14 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 63 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Engine | 14 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 14 | — |
| 2008 | No verdict | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Electrical System | 14 | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 14 | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 47 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 14 | — |
| 2011 | No verdict | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Fuel System | 14 | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 42 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Airbags | 13.5 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 14 | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | 14 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 68 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 13 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 89 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 7 | Steering | 12.5 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 12.5 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 74 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 79 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 53 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 58 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
Savana years to avoid: what went wrong
2017 GMC Savana Index 100 · 7 complaints · 6 recalls
2017 has the highest complaint index of any Savana year at 100. Transmission and powertrain complaints were most common, with a median failure mileage of 75,000, alongside airbag complaints. Owners reported a frame needing replacement after the vehicle veered to the right without warning, repeated dealer visits for steering and braking loss that could not be replicated, an airbag warning light coming on randomly, and a crash in which airbags did not deploy. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this model year, covering rear window glass and other equipment.
2007 GMC Savana Index 95 · 6 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2007 Savana carries a complaint index of 95, the second highest of any year, driven largely by brakes, which made up half of its top problem areas with a median failure mileage of 92,414. Owners reported brake failure leading to a crash at 20 mph with injury, brake booster and brake line defects that went unrepaired, and an ignition key warning switch failure paired with a reported loss of control at 70 mph. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this year, including wheelchair-lift and HVAC wiring problems.
2016 GMC Savana Index 89 · 6 complaints · 7 recalls
2016 has a complaint index of 89, the third worst among Savana years. Steering was the top problem area, involved in half of sampled complaints with a median failure mileage of 57,950, alongside brake and electrical issues. Owners described electrical faults causing erratic window and lighting behavior, an intermittent death-wobble sensation in the steering wheel while braking, and a 6L80 transmission failure at 109,000 miles that left the vehicle unable to move. NHTSA lists seven recall campaigns, including rear window glass and climate control module defects.
2005 GMC Savana Index 84 · 12 complaints · 5 recalls
NHTSA gives 2005 a complaint index of 84, the fourth worst of all Savana years. Owners most often cited suspension, wheels and tires problems, with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles, plus brake and electrical complaints. Sample reports describe rusted brake spindles, vehicle-wide vibration at 40-50 mph even after tire and rim replacement, repeated power steering gear failures, and repeated tire blowouts at the same spot. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this model year, including wheelchair-lift and HVAC wiring issues.
2019 GMC Savana Index 79 · 5 complaints · 5 recalls
2019 carries a complaint index of 79. Electrical system complaints were most common, making up two of the top problem areas, alongside steering issues with a median failure mileage of 64,000. Owners reported dead batteries that would not hold a charge, cascading electrical failures affecting turn signals, wipers, and lighting, a warped rear door present at delivery, and a steering event described as a death wobble at 60-65 mph over a bump. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns, including a tire inspection recall and a seatbelt warning light software issue.
Most common GMC Savana problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (18%)
- Steering11 (16%)
- Brakes10 (15%)
- Electrical System10 (15%)
- Airbags8 (12%)
- Structure & Body7 (10%)
- Engine5 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (7%)
- Other4 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the GMC Savana should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint and recall data, the years to avoid are 2005, 2007, 2016, 2017, and 2019, with 2017 having the highest complaint index at 100.
- What is the best year for the GMC Savana?
- No Savana year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by multiple recall campaigns. 2006, with a complaint index of 63, is the lowest-risk year and carries a Caution verdict.
- What problems are most common across GMC Savana years?
- Across all years, suspension, wheels and tires complaints account for 18% of total complaints, followed by steering at 16%, brakes at 15%, and electrical system issues at 15%.
- Does the 2017 GMC Savana have transmission problems?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Savana most often cite transmission and powertrain issues, accounting for 43% of that year's sampled complaint areas, with a median failure mileage of 75,000.
- How many recalls does the GMC Savana have overall?
- NHTSA lists 41 total recall campaigns across the 20 model years covered, from 2005 through 2025.