NHTSA Complaint #10136399 — 1993 GMC SAFARI

1993 GMC SAFARI ALL WHEEL DRIVE 7-PASSENGER STANDARD WHEEL BASE VAN WITH 42" TORSION BAR FRONT SPRINGS AND 182,000 MILES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TORSION SPRING BROKE INSIDE THE ADJUSTER SLEEVE AT THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER, DROPPING THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONTO THE FRAME. WHILE THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE I HAD USED THE VAN TO TAKE A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. A FAILURE HERE WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE ORIGINAL SPRING DESIGN WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, AND THE UPDATED VERSION COULD ONLY BE SOLD IN PAIRS(BOTH SIDES). IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT AS THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE SO UNRELIABLE AS TO REQUIRE A COMPLETE RE-DESIGN, THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *JB