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GMC Savana VIN Number Check

Decode a GMC Savana VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix1GT1GD1GJ1GK

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
GMC Savana

About the GMC Savana

GMC sold the Savana in the US for model years 1996–2017. Across those years NHTSA lists 56 vehicle recall campaigns and 423 owner complaints. The 2000 has the most complaints of any model year (56). EPA rates it at 12–17 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1996–2017
EPA classVans, Cargo Type
NHTSA recall campaigns56
Owner complaints423 at NHTSA
GMC Savana photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

GMC Savana at a glance

One generation in the data, 1996–2017: 56 NHTSA recall campaigns and 423 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Savana
1996–2017Vans, Cargo Type
19962000200520102015
1996–2017

GMC Savana

EPA classVans, Cargo Type
EPA combined mpg12–17
NHTSA recalls56

Engines (EPA)

  • 4.3 L 6-cyl · 1996–2014
  • 5.0 L 8-cyl · 1996–2002
  • 5.7 L 8-cyl · 1996–2002
  • 5.3 L 8-cyl · 2003–2014
  • 6.0 L 8-cyl · 2004, 2011–2017
  • 4.8 L 8-cyl · 2011–2015

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • automatic (1996–2017)

Known issues to check

Brakes (120)Structure and body (44)Tires (42)15 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 423 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Savana1GDFG15R?V1······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1997 GMC Savana, built in Wentzville, Missouri
Check a Savana VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Savana model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 56 campaigns on file for Savana model years 1996–2017, and the 2003 shows up in more of them than any other year (11), ahead of the 2006 (10). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2003
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What GMC Savana owners report

NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2000 (56 of 423). Tap any bar or generation.

423NHTSA complaints, 1996–2017
23mention a crash
15mention a fire
21injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearSavana: 423 complaints · most for the 2000 (56)

Top complaint areas · Savana

Mentions in 423 complaints, 1996–2017.

Brakes120
Structure and body44
Tires42
Engine and cooling38
Steering34
Fuel system32
Crashes 23Fires 15Injuries 21

1996–2017

NHTSA data summary

The 2000 is the outlier. On its own it has 56 of the ’s 423 complaints (13%), more than any other Savana model year, and owners across the generation name brakes most often (120 mentions), then structure and body (44).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner complaints · by model year

Savana complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Savana version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

423complaints, 1996–2017
23mention a crash
15mention a fire
21injuries reported
Most complaints: 2000 (56), 1999 (52), 1997 (49)
49’9752’9956’00’05’10’15

2000 · 56 complaints

Crashes 5 · fires 2 · injuries 2

Service brakes24
Tires7
Steering6
Structure5
Electrical system4

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Savana CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 191 Savana versions for model years 1996–2017 (gas and natural gas). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 523 g/mi (2012). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Savana1996–2017

12–17 mpg · 12 MPGe natural gas · CO₂ 523–741 g/mi

2017
13combined MPG
704CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$5,150EPA yearly fuel cost
2/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
1/10Greenhouse gas rating
Bin 8Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2017: 2500 2WD (Passenger) · Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L — 13 MPG · 704 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
45055065075085020002005201020151996 · Gas: 5921997 · Gas: 5921998 · Gas: 5921999 · Gas: 5922000 · Gas: 5922001 · Gas: 5922002 · Gas: 5922003 · Gas: 5922004 · Gas: 5922005 · Gas: 5552006 · Gas: 5922007 · Gas: 5552008 · Gas: 5232009 · Gas: 5232010 · Gas: 5232011 · Gas: 5232012 · Gas: 5232013 · Gas: 5272014 · Gas: 5682015 · Gas: 6702016 · Gas: 7052017 · Gas: 7042004 · Natural gas: 586
GasNatural gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

GMC Savana VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Savana

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver GMC Savana (second generation) van, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Commercial Savana vans carry the VIN on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield. A door jamb sticker carries the full number. The firewall stamp inside the engine compartment is the most reliable secondary identifier on this model.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common GMC Savana VIN questions

Which GMC Savana model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2000 leads with 56, ahead of the 1999 (52) and 1997 (49). Those first two alone make up 26% of the 423 Savana complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the GMC Savana had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 56 vehicle campaigns for model years 1996–2017, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which GMC Savana recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 00V-110, 00V-085, 03V-217, 12V-388, 23V-247, 05V-455, 08V-315, 18V-267 and 7 more. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the GMC Savana get?

It varies. EPA rates the 1996–2017 Savana at 12–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

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