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2017 GMC Savana Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ryan Davis

Complaint Summary

The 2017 GMC Savana has 10 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve power train and structure:body.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.0/ 10

Based on 10 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

POWER TRAIN

3 30%

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 10%

SEAT BELTS

1 10%

SUSPENSION

1 10%

WHEELS

1 10%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is POWER TRAIN, accounting for 30% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 8 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2017 GMC Savana

The 2017 GMC Savana has 10 owner complaints in this dataset. POWER TRAIN is the most common complaint category, representing about 30% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2017 GMC Savana are POWER TRAIN (3), STRUCTURE:BODY (1), SEAT BELTS (1).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 GMC Savana?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2018 Savana complaints2016 Savana complaints2019 Savana complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 8 of 8 systems

POWER TRAIN

3 Reports30% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Have taken it to the GMC dealership over seven times with same issue. They refuse to fix problem due to not being able to replicate it. Losing steering and braking issue is getting worse. This is a LARGE HEAVY TRUCK and GM refuses to help fix. This is very disturbing. Has to be something in the drive train.

7/26/2021

My airbag light will come on randomly . I had it scanned and its coming up as a DTC .

6/17/2022

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOLIDAY AUTOMOTIVE (321 N ROLLING MEADOWS DR., FOND DU LAC, WI 54937, (866) 875-3224) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

3/8/2018

SEAT BELTS

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE PURCHASED A CONVERSION VAN THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY AN AFTERMARKET UPFITTER BUT SOLD AS NEW ON A FRANCHISED GMC DEALERSHIP LOT. THE VAN CARRIES TWO PLACARDS WITH CONFLICTING GVWR INFORMATION. THESE VANS ARE BEING MODIFIED IN MASS QUANTITIES. THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SOFTEN THE RIDE BUT ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A 3/4 TON VAN. THE TIRES THAT ARE BEING INSTALLED ON THESE VANS FOR VANITY REASONS ARE NOT OF THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATING FOR A 3/4 TON VAN. WE HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TIRES FAILING AND THE REAR SPRINGS BENDING. THE CONVERSION COMPANY, THE GMC DEALER, NOR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WISH TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. YET THESE VANS CONTINUE TO BE SOLD IN MASS QUANTITIES ON GMC AND CHEVROLET DEALER LOTS AS BRAND NEW VEHICLES. I AM SEEING MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES. I AM GENUINELY CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE INJURED EVENTUALLY DUE TO TIRE OR SPRING FAILURE. ALSO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS BECOMING COMPLETELY UNBOLTED FROM THE SEATS. THE FASTENERS USED BY THE CONVERSION COMPANY FOR THE SEAT BELTS ARE ALSO INADEQUATE FOR TODAY'S STANDARDS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MY COMPLAINT IS NOT IN REGARD TO THE OEM SPEC GM VAN. THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO A GM AUTHORIZED UPFITTER THAT IS TAKING BRAND NEW VANS PROVIDED BY GM, INSTALLING THEIR PARTS, THEN SELLING THEM AS NEW VEHICLES AT GM DEALERSHIPS. THIS CONVERSION COMPANY (THE EXPLORER VAN COMPANY) ALSO INSTALLS THEIR PRODUCTS ON FORD, MERCEDES, AND POSSIBLY THE RAM VANS AS WELL. WE HAVE HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES ALREADY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BELLE TIRE WOULD NOT SELL US A REPLACEMENT TIRE BECAUSE THE SIZE INSTALLED ON THE VAN IS NOT RATED PROPERLY AND THERE IS NO TIRE MANUFACTURER IN THE US THAT PRODUCES A TIRE IN THE PROPER SIZE WITH THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATINGS.

12/5/2019

SUSPENSION

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE PURCHASED A CONVERSION VAN THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY AN AFTERMARKET UPFITTER BUT SOLD AS NEW ON A FRANCHISED GMC DEALERSHIP LOT. THE VAN CARRIES TWO PLACARDS WITH CONFLICTING GVWR INFORMATION. THESE VANS ARE BEING MODIFIED IN MASS QUANTITIES. THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SOFTEN THE RIDE BUT ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A 3/4 TON VAN. THE TIRES THAT ARE BEING INSTALLED ON THESE VANS FOR VANITY REASONS ARE NOT OF THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATING FOR A 3/4 TON VAN. WE HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TIRES FAILING AND THE REAR SPRINGS BENDING. THE CONVERSION COMPANY, THE GMC DEALER, NOR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WISH TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. YET THESE VANS CONTINUE TO BE SOLD IN MASS QUANTITIES ON GMC AND CHEVROLET DEALER LOTS AS BRAND NEW VEHICLES. I AM SEEING MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES. I AM GENUINELY CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE INJURED EVENTUALLY DUE TO TIRE OR SPRING FAILURE. ALSO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS BECOMING COMPLETELY UNBOLTED FROM THE SEATS. THE FASTENERS USED BY THE CONVERSION COMPANY FOR THE SEAT BELTS ARE ALSO INADEQUATE FOR TODAY'S STANDARDS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MY COMPLAINT IS NOT IN REGARD TO THE OEM SPEC GM VAN. THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO A GM AUTHORIZED UPFITTER THAT IS TAKING BRAND NEW VANS PROVIDED BY GM, INSTALLING THEIR PARTS, THEN SELLING THEM AS NEW VEHICLES AT GM DEALERSHIPS. THIS CONVERSION COMPANY (THE EXPLORER VAN COMPANY) ALSO INSTALLS THEIR PRODUCTS ON FORD, MERCEDES, AND POSSIBLY THE RAM VANS AS WELL. WE HAVE HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES ALREADY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BELLE TIRE WOULD NOT SELL US A REPLACEMENT TIRE BECAUSE THE SIZE INSTALLED ON THE VAN IS NOT RATED PROPERLY AND THERE IS NO TIRE MANUFACTURER IN THE US THAT PRODUCES A TIRE IN THE PROPER SIZE WITH THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATINGS.

12/5/2019

WHEELS

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE PURCHASED A CONVERSION VAN THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY AN AFTERMARKET UPFITTER BUT SOLD AS NEW ON A FRANCHISED GMC DEALERSHIP LOT. THE VAN CARRIES TWO PLACARDS WITH CONFLICTING GVWR INFORMATION. THESE VANS ARE BEING MODIFIED IN MASS QUANTITIES. THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SOFTEN THE RIDE BUT ARE INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A 3/4 TON VAN. THE TIRES THAT ARE BEING INSTALLED ON THESE VANS FOR VANITY REASONS ARE NOT OF THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATING FOR A 3/4 TON VAN. WE HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TIRES FAILING AND THE REAR SPRINGS BENDING. THE CONVERSION COMPANY, THE GMC DEALER, NOR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WISH TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. YET THESE VANS CONTINUE TO BE SOLD IN MASS QUANTITIES ON GMC AND CHEVROLET DEALER LOTS AS BRAND NEW VEHICLES. I AM SEEING MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES. I AM GENUINELY CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE INJURED EVENTUALLY DUE TO TIRE OR SPRING FAILURE. ALSO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS BECOMING COMPLETELY UNBOLTED FROM THE SEATS. THE FASTENERS USED BY THE CONVERSION COMPANY FOR THE SEAT BELTS ARE ALSO INADEQUATE FOR TODAY'S STANDARDS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MY COMPLAINT IS NOT IN REGARD TO THE OEM SPEC GM VAN. THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO A GM AUTHORIZED UPFITTER THAT IS TAKING BRAND NEW VANS PROVIDED BY GM, INSTALLING THEIR PARTS, THEN SELLING THEM AS NEW VEHICLES AT GM DEALERSHIPS. THIS CONVERSION COMPANY (THE EXPLORER VAN COMPANY) ALSO INSTALLS THEIR PRODUCTS ON FORD, MERCEDES, AND POSSIBLY THE RAM VANS AS WELL. WE HAVE HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES ALREADY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BELLE TIRE WOULD NOT SELL US A REPLACEMENT TIRE BECAUSE THE SIZE INSTALLED ON THE VAN IS NOT RATED PROPERLY AND THERE IS NO TIRE MANUFACTURER IN THE US THAT PRODUCES A TIRE IN THE PROPER SIZE WITH THE CORRECT WEIGHT RATINGS.

12/5/2019

STEERING

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Have taken it to the GMC dealership over seven times with same issue. They refuse to fix problem due to not being able to replicate it. Losing steering and braking issue is getting worse. This is a LARGE HEAVY TRUCK and GM refuses to help fix. This is very disturbing. Has to be something in the drive train.

7/26/2021

AIR BAGS

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My airbag light will come on randomly . I had it scanned and its coming up as a DTC .

6/17/2022

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report10% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The ABS Control Unit is faulty for the second time on this vehicle, with only 28,174 miles on it. The first time was 11/09/20 at 24,156 miles.

1/18/2023

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 GMC Savana?

The most reported complaint category for the 2017 GMC Savana is POWER TRAIN, with 3 owner reports. That is about 30% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:BODY, SEAT BELTS.

Are complaints about the 2017 GMC Savana a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 4 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 GMC Savana?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2017 GMC Savana severe?

4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

GMC Savana: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
10
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

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