1985 GMC Safari

US · Van · Vans

The 1985 GMC Safari is listed in the US market as a van with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.

Engine: Varies by configuration: 2.5L 4-cylinder (FFS), 2.5L 4-cylinder (FFS) CA model), 4.3L 6-cylinder, 4.3L 6-cylinder (FFS) CA model)
Transmission: Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
Drivetrain: RWD
Fuel: Gasoline
Economy: 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) combined

Generic outline for this body type. An illustration, not a photograph.

Specifications at a Glance

Key Figures

Units:

Engine / Powertrain

2.5L 4-cylinder (FFS), 2.5L 4-cylinder (FFS) CA model), 4.3L 6-cylinder, 4.3L 6-cylinder (FFS) CA model)

Combined Economy

15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) combined

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

Automatic, Manual

Market: US·Switch units to convert the figures shown.

Compare 1985 GMC Safari ↗

Engine

Engine
Specification	Value	Source
Engine	Varies by configuration: 2.5L 4-cylinder (FFS), 2.5L 4-cylinder (FFS) CA model), 4.3L 6-cylinder, 4.3L 6-cylinder (FFS) CA model)
Displacement	2.5 L to 4.3 L
Cylinders	4 to 6
Fuel type	Gasoline	EPA fueleconomy.gov

Transmission and drivetrain

Transmission and drivetrain
Specification	Value	Source
Transmission	Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
Gears	4 to 5
Drivetrain	RWD	EPA fueleconomy.gov

Fuel economy and range

Fuel economy and range
Specification	Value	Source
Combined	15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km)	EPA fueleconomy.gov
City	15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km)
Highway	17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) to 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)

Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.

Trims and configurations

20 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 9, 2026.

06E043000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS…
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Reported May 19, 2006. View on NHTSA
93V187000: SEATS
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
Reported November 16, 1993. View on NHTSA
85V160000: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
A PART OF THE STEERING GEAR HOUSING WHICH ATTACHES TO THE FRAME MAY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING DIFFICULTIES WILL OCCUR AND THE STEERING GEAR TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A…
Remedy: REPLACE BROKEN OR CRACKED STEERING GEAR OR INSTALL A BRACE IF STEERING GEAR IS NOT BROKEN OR CRACKED.
Reported December 3, 1985. View on NHTSA

Data sources

EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 24, 2026 · US Government public data
NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 24, 2026 · US Government public data

Source checked: October 24, 2026

Data verified: October 24, 2026

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

Compare

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Frequently asked questions

What engine does the 1985 GMC Safari have?

Varies by configuration: 2.5L 4-cylinder ((FFS)), 2.5L 4-cylinder ((FFS) CA model), 4.3L 6-cylinder, 4.3L 6-cylinder ((FFS) CA model). Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.

What is the fuel economy of the 1985 GMC Safari?

Combined fuel economy is 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.

Is the 1985 GMC Safari front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?

Drivetrain: RWD.

Are there recalls for the 1985 GMC Safari?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 9, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.