NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 6Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95031Opened 31 Oct 1995Closed 31 Jul 1996SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELT FAILURE
COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT THE REAR SEATBELT BUCKLES DO NOT WORK, WHICH PREVENTS USAGE OF THE BELTS.
EA94038Opened 31 Oct 1994Closed 28 Feb 2000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Recalls on the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
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 APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
96V142000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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 LATCH RELEASE BUTTON. WHEN IT DOES, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CANNOT BE LATCHED.
Risk: THE REAR BELTS MAY NOT HOLD AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT INCREASING THE RISK OF PESONAL INJURY.
91V108000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SHIPPED WITH THE FUEL TANK SENDER SEAL OUT OF POSITION.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, AN OUT OF POSTIONSEAL COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PRESCRIBED BY FMVSS 301.SPILLED FUEL COULD IGNITE NEAR AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 133,000 milesGranite Falls, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THE "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" WITHIN THE DISPLAY SHORTED CAUSING THE FIRE. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8022318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lampe, MOCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PLACING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 20-30 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO RIDE WITH THE BRAKE ON BEFORE HITTING A WALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #846963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY. BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #820693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, KSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, 5 MINUTES LATER A FIRE HAD STARTED AROUND THE ALTENATOR, WHICH IS SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #814282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #806069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haslett, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH. TT CONSUMER STATES THIS VEHICLE HAS A 1992 ABS BECAUSE THE FIRST SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK IN MARCH 1992, IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 6-8 WEEKS TO FIND A UNIT AT THE TIME OF REPAIR, THERE WERE NO BRAKING LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE GAVE NO APPEARANCE OF SLOWING OR STOPPING, CONSUMER'S SON NOTICED THE LIGHTS FLASHING ON JUST BEFORE THE IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #974093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Granville, NY
POWER TRAIN
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10070969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10070969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10070969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10070969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
STRUCTURE
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10070969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10070969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Recluse, WY
TIRES
TIRES CONSTANTLY LOST AIR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER BELIEVED THAT DRIVER KEPT DRIVING OVER ROCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10044021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesGranite Falls, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THE "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" WITHIN THE DISPLAY SHORTED CAUSING THE FIRE. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8022318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murfreesboro, TN
STEERING:COLUMN
1991 OLDS BRAVADA I HAVE HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN : TILT.
NHTSA complaint #761304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo Creek, CO
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER WAS PUTTING ON SEAT BELT WHEN STRAP ATTACHMENT ANCHOR, THAT WAS BOLTED TO VEHICLES FLOOR CAME OUT OF FLOORING, ENTIRE HEAD SECTION CAME APART FROM THE BOLT. HAD BROKEN IN HALF. VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN ACCIDENT FOR PROBLEM TO HAPPEN.*AK CONSUMER HAS SINCE REPLACED THE FRACTURED BOLT.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #899544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blair, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS PHASES OUT LIKE VEHICLE ISN'T GOING TO STOP BUT IT DOES, THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINTATED, DEALER STATES THAT IT'S JUST A SENSOR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miduale, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT COMES ON, PERFORMED SYSTEM CHECK, ECM MALFUNCTION, REPLACED B.P.M.V. WITH E.C.U, REPLACED BRAKE FLUID IN ENTIRE SYSTEM, ADJUST REAR BRAKES. FLUID LEAKING FROM LEFT REAR AXLE, REPLACE L/REAR AXLE SEAL AND BRAKE SHOES BOTH SIDE S LEFT REAR AXLE SHAFT FAULTY AND CONTAMINATED BRAKE SHOES, REPLACED AXLE SEAL
NHTSA complaint #9001006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miduale, UT
SUSPENSION:REAR
ABS LIGHT COMES ON, PERFORMED SYSTEM CHECK, ECM MALFUNCTION, REPLACED B.P.M.V. WITH E.C.U, REPLACED BRAKE FLUID IN ENTIRE SYSTEM, ADJUST REAR BRAKES. FLUID LEAKING FROM LEFT REAR AXLE, REPLACE L/REAR AXLE SEAL AND BRAKE SHOES BOTH SIDE S LEFT REAR AXLE SHAFT FAULTY AND CONTAMINATED BRAKE SHOES, REPLACED AXLE SEAL
NHTSA complaint #9001006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middale, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EA 94 038/ ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ABS LIGHT SENSOR REMAINING ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED ABS WOULD NOT OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFED, AND REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT CONSUMER COST OF $1073.00.
NHTSA complaint #862223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longport, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL FADES AWAY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, DEALER HAS REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER . HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #856768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longport, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL FADES AWAY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, DEALER HAS REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER . HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #856768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Norris, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #717794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosebush, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WAS REPLACED BY HERITAGE OLDS, IN MT. PLEASANT, MI UNDER WARRENTY. WITHIN 1 1/2 YEARS THE ABS SYSTEM WENT OUT AGAIN. THE OLDS DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT IT WOULD COST US $1,500.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SAW THIS SITE ON THE NEWS AND THOUGHT MAYBE YOU COULD HELP.
NHTSA complaint #714177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lampe, MOCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PLACING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 20-30 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO RIDE WITH THE BRAKE ON BEFORE HITTING A WALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #846963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East York, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Haddam, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. THE BRAKES WILL STOP OR SLOW THE VEHICLE, BUT THEN THE PEDAL JUST RELEASES AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #843305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR
NHTSA complaint #709060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenmore, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETLY TO THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF BRAKE SYSTEM VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PARKED UNTIL SECONDARY SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIOING.SERVICING DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND SENSOR ON FIRST FAILURE, 81 MILES LATER BRAKES FAILED ONCE AGAIN. COMPLAINT WAS CALLED IN TO GM CONSUMER AFFAIRS ON 7/10/98 @11:00 EST CUST ASSISTANCE # 980107866 WAS TOLD BY "MARGARET" AT THIS TIME THAT "GM KNOWS OF NO EXSISTING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE FOR ME. WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH ARTICLES OR PROBLEMS WITH KELSEY- HAYES ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS. WE WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE" ARTICLES I HAD OBTAINED THROUGH INTERNET SOURCES ON SAID COMPONENT FAILURE. GM CONTINUED BY SAYING WE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. ON DECEMBER 30,1998 VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND WAS TOTALLED. I WAS LUCKY TO WALK AWAY WITH ONLY A CONCUSSION. AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT ON 7/21/99 OF GM RECALL OF SAID BRAKE SYSTEM, REQUESTING REIMBURSMENT OF PAID INVOICES/REPAIRS RELATED TO
NHTSA complaint #709021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millersburg, OH
SEATS
REAR SEAT LATCH DOES NOT LOCK SEAT IN PLACE. MANUFACURER HAS REDESIGNED "KIT" TO FIX PROBLEM FOR $400+ BUT WILL NOT ADMIT THAT ORIGINAL LATCHING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE. LATCH HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE OUR PURCHASE AT 70,000MI.
NHTSA complaint #706553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millersburg, OH
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
REAR BACK SEAT IN THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAD RELEASE LATCH. WHEN RELEASED THE SEAT WILL NOT LOCK BACK INTO PLACE, AND WHEN LOCKED, IT'S HARD TO UNLATCH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #837342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.