CarBrief

The 2000 Savana Cargo has 56 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, more than any other model year of this van we list, and brakes lead the list[1][2][3]. It also has two recalls, one for a fire risk and one for loss of power steering assist[4][5].

56owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
14–15MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 56 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Five mention a crash, 2 a fire and 2 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component[1].

By component group, the counts look like this:

Component group Complaints
Brakes[2] 24
Tires[7] 7
Steering[8] 6
Structure[9] 5
Electrical system[10] 4
Power train[11] 3
Engine[12] 3
Latches/locks/linkages[13] 2

Brakes. Brakes have the largest count, with 4 crashes and 2 injuries. The median mileage at failure is 58,979[2]. In a sample of brake complaints we read, owners describe pads and rotors wearing out quickly, squealing, pad material coming apart, and the van pulling to one side when braking. One owner describes the brakes locking up and overheating after service[2].

Tires. In the tire complaints we read, owners describe tread peeling or separating from the tire, and blowouts, some at highway speed. No crashes or injuries are listed for tires[7].

Steering. In a sample of steering complaints, some owners describe losing power steering assist, and two of them mention the pump recall covered below. No crashes or injuries are listed for steering[8].

Structure. In the structure complaints we read, two owners describe heavy rust on the frame. The others cover unrelated items such as a door and a sun visor. No crashes or injuries are listed[9].

One fire is listed under the engine group and one under latches/locks/linkages[12][13]. With 3 and 2 complaints in those groups, that is too little to call a pattern[12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists three engines for the Savana 1500/2500 2WD cargo van, all with an automatic 4-speed, regular fuel and rear-wheel drive:

Engine City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
4.3L 6-cyl[6] 13 / 17 / 15 $4,450
5.0L 8-cyl[14] 13 / 17 / 15 $4,450
5.7L 8-cyl[15] 12 / 16 / 14 $4,800

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new.

Engine and size

Engine sizes are in the fuel economy table above. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models. They were converted from centimeters and kilograms.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
G1500[16] 215 in 80 in 84 in 135 in 4,632 lb
G2500[17] 215 in 80 in 84 in 135 in 4,810 lb
G2500 Extended[18] 235 in 80 in 83 in 155 in 5,000 lb
G3500[19] 215 in 80 in 84 in 135 in 5,348 lb
G3500 Extended[20] 235 in 80 in 83 in 155 in 5,542 lb

How 2000 compares with other years

1996: 35 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 49 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 33 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 52 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 56 complaints, 2 recalls5620002001: 24 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 19 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 33 complaints, 11 recalls2004: 18 complaints, 7 recalls20042005: 24 complaints, 5 recalls2006: 10 complaints, 10 recalls20062007: 13 complaints, 4 recalls2008: 6 complaints, 7 recalls20082009: 7 complaints, 8 recalls2010: 7 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 4 complaints, 7 recalls2012: 4 complaints, 7 recalls20122013: 2 complaints, 9 recalls2014: 8 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 6 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Savana Cargo model year. The 2000 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996352
1997491
1998331
1999521
2000562
2001240
2002190
20033311
2004187
2005245
20061010
2007134
200867
200978
201074
201147
201247
201329
201487
201564

Among the model years 1996 to 2015 on file, 2000 has the most complaints, with 56[3]. The next highest is 1999 with 52, then 1997 with 49[3]. Later years are lower. 2001 has 24 complaints and 2002 has 19[3].

Recalls vary more. The 2000 model year has 2, while 2001 and 2002 have none, and 2003 has 11[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2000 Savana Cargo?

This model year has the highest complaint count of any year we list, and brakes account for 24 of the 56 complaints[1][2][3]. If you look at one, have the brakes and tires inspected, and look closely at the frame, since owners in the complaints we read describe rust there[9]. Ask a dealer whether the two recalls were done[4][5]. EPA rates it at 14 to 15 combined MPG, and puts the annual fuel cost at $4,450 to $4,800[6][14][15]., and EPA puts the annual cost at $4,450 to $4,800[6][14][15]. Complaint counts are unverified and small, so they point to what to check and do not predict how a given van will behave.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 GMC Savana Cargo?
Brakes have the largest number of NHTSA complaints at 24 of 56, followed by tires with 7 and steering with 6[1][2][7][8].
Has the 2000 GMC Savana Cargo been recalled?
NHTSA lists two recalls, 05V005 for a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture and 00V085 for a power steering cooler hose that can separate and cause a fire[4][5][3].
What MPG does a 2000 GMC Savana Cargo get?
EPA rates the 4.3L and 5.0L at 13 city, 17 highway and 15 combined MPG, and the 5.7L at 12, 16 and 14[6][14][15].
How big is a 2000 GMC Savana Cargo?
Canadian-market specifications list a length of 215 inches, or 235 inches for the extended variants, and a width of 80 inches[16][18].
Is 2000 a bad year for the GMC Savana Cargo?
It has the most complaints of any year from 1996 to 2015 on file, with 56, though counts are not adjusted for sales[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on file for the 2000 GMC Savana Cargo (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 24 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,979). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Savana Cargo model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 05V005, filed January 7, 2005: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 00V085, filed March 16, 2000: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 7 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 6 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo), 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo), 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G1500 SAVANA CARGO: length 215 in, width 80 in, height 84 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 4,632 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G2500 SAVANA CARGO: length 215 in, width 80 in, height 84 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 4,810 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G2500 SAVANA CARGO EXTENDED: length 235 in, width 80 in, height 83 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,000 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G3500 SAVANA CARGO: length 215 in, width 80 in, height 84 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 5,348 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G3500 SAVANA CARGO EXTENDED: length 235 in, width 80 in, height 83 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,542 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.