The 1996 GMC Safari is a van that came with a 4.3L 6-cyl engine. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Vans |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.3L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 14–15 city / 17–20 highway / 15–17 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,950–$4,450 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 523–592 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations: Safari AWD (cargo), Safari 2WD (cargo), Safari AWD (passenger), Safari 2WD (passenger) |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1996 GMC Safari. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Vehicle description: mini vans. Some of these vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the "fasten safety-belt" audible warning occasionally may not come on or may terminate in less than four seconds as required by the standard.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with integrated dual child seats. Some of these vehicles may be missing a seat belt retractor clutch spring and/or pawl spring in the child seat. If the clutch spring was missing, the seat belt would lock in the retracted position and could not be used. If the pawl spring was missing, the seat…
Risk: These conditions could increase the occupant's risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
The outboard safety belt webbing on the right-hand rear bucket seat can separate during a vehicle crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the vehicle occupant would not be properly restrained and personal injury could result.
Owners have filed 139 complaints about the 1996 GMC Safari with NHTSA. 9 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 12 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 46 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 GMC Safari. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 1996 GMC Safari.
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, gm has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached t
‹ Sell a 1995 Safari · Sell a 1997 Safari › · All GMC Safari years
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 Safaris that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1996 GMC Safari; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.