US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Oldsmobile Bravada recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Oldsmobile Bravada,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Oldsmobile Bravada. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Oldsmobile Bravada,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1991–2004 with 33 recall campaigns and 1346 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2002 (10), 2003 (7), and 2000 (3).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2002 (337), 1997 (158), and 1998 (139).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Visibility and lighting, and Equipment and labeling.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Electrical system, Power train:automatic transmission.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
4 campaigns · Years: 1998, 2000, 2002–2004
These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Oldsmobile Bravada in NHTSA complaint data are
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Electrical system, Power train:automatic transmission.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2004
2
23
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags, Exterior lighting.
2003
7
37
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Air bags, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel.
2002
10
337
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission.
2001
1
47
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags:frontal.
2000
3
104
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension:front.
1999
0
99
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal.
1998
2
139
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Suspension, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer.
1997
2
158
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer.
1996
3
104
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery.
1995
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1994
1
116
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve).
1993
0
54
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1992
0
65
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1991
2
61
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Exterior lighting
, Equipment
and Suspension
Show recall evidence by year
2004
Exterior lighting: Brake lights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Exterior lighting: Turn signal:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) may cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
2003
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "Theft protection." These vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In a
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process. If the brake pipe partially or fully fractured, brake pedal travel would immediately increase and front
Equipment: Owners/service/other manual:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage system." The owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchora
Visibility: Windshield wiper/washer:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can eit
Exterior lighting: Brake lights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Exterior lighting: Turn signal:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) may cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
2002
Suspension: Lower arm:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "Theft protection." These vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In a
Electrical system: Interior/under dash:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 101, "Control location, identification, and illumination" and no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." These vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the
Equipment: Owners/service/other manual:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage system." The owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchora
Visibility: Windshield wiper/washer:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can eit
Seat belts:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." One of the two sensors in the driver's and front passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Some sport utility vehicles equipped with an electronically controlled air suspension (ecas) have a condition in which the ecas may produce a brief electrical spike while the vehicle is operating. This electrical spike can disrupt the powertrain control module (pcm) causing the vehicle to stall.
Exterior lighting: Brake lights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
2001
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The multifunction switch could develop an open circuit condition that results in the stop lamps and the rear hazard lamps becoming inoperative. The center high mounted stop lamp and turn signal functions are not affected.
2000
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles were built with incorrect payload information on the vehicle certification label. The payload shown on the label is greater than the maximum validated payload. If the vehicle were loaded to the incorr
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The multifunction switch could develop an open circuit condition that results in the stop lamps and the rear hazard lamps becoming inoperative. The center high mounted stop lamp and turn signal functions are not affected.
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: General motors is recalling 5,862 my 2000-2002 chevrolet blazer, my 2000-2001 gmc jimmy, and my 2000 oldsmobile bravada sport utility vehicles. The multifunction switch could develop an open circuit condition that results in the stop lamps and the rear hazard lamps becoming inoperative. The cente
1998
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake
Suspension: Lower arm:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle equipped with 4-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. One or both of the attaching nuts for the right-hand lower control arm are under torqued. This can allow the attachment bolt to loosen and subsequent break resulting in separation of the lower con
1997
Suspension: Upper ball joint:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virgini
Seat belts: Buckle assembly:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop. Sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the belt in severe crashes could fully deploy the buckle energy-absorbing loop, introducing a total of 10 additional
1996
Suspension: Upper ball joint:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virgini
Visibility: Windshield wiper/washer:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: 4-door, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive multi-purpose passenger vehicles. During development testing, the prop shaft contacted the inboard side of the fuel tank allowing fuel leakage. This leakage was in excess of the amount permitted by fmvss 301, "fuel system integrity."
1994
Equipment: Owners/service/other manual:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: These vehicles were shipped with the wrong owner's manual, and, therefore, the correct information regarding safety belt usage is not available to the owner. This does not conform with fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies."
1991
Fuel system, gasoline: Storage:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a rear seat belt buckle release button can stick in the unlatched (down) position under certain conditions because the buckle assembly can move inside the seat belt cover. If the cover moves far enough, it can create an interference condition with the l
Other Oldsmobile Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Oldsmobile models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
