22 of the 158 complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
22
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VOLTAGE DROPPING WHILE VEHICLE IN STOPPED CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO DIM. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11113750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA THE CAR SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY AND CONTINUED TO STALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE CAR. I DROVE TO MY MECHANICS GARAGE AND HE REPLACED THE IGNITION HARNESS. THIS HAS HAPPED TO ME A TOTAL OF ( 4) FOUR TIMES. THE FREQUENCY HAS BEEN ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR. THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 100,000 THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USEDWITH ABOUT 95,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10568755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AFTER SEEING SMOKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0002-89 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10
NHTSA complaint #10312115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BRAVADA SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. WHILE ON HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. THEN THE TRUCK IS COMPLETELY DEAD. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SAT FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES TRYING TO RESTART IT. IT FINALLY STARTED. (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON) AFTER I LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MONTH I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE GASKET AND CLEAN THE CARBON OUT OF THE THROTTLE BODY. A FEW MONTHS GO BY I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD OFF OF A HIGH WAY GOING 40 MPH. SAME THING OCCURRED. I GOT IT STARTED IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME AND IT WILL RUN FINE LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER SAID IT COULD BE NUMEROUS OF OTHER THINGS AND NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN FACT THEY NEVER HEARD OF AN IGNITION SWITCH DOING THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10291189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON JULY 31, 2005 MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING HOME FROM MICHIGAN WE WERE 29 MILES FROM HOME WHEN OUR 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA CAUGHT FIRE. WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH A FIRE UNDER OUR SUV FOR SOME TIME AND WAS NOT AWARE OF IT. PARTS LITERALLY BEGAN TO FALL FROM UNDER THE TRUCK WHEN WE STOPPED THE TRUCK TO SEE WHAT HAD WENT WRONG WE NOTICED THE FIRE. EYE WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW FLAMES COMING FROM OUR VEHICLE BEFORE WE EVEN STOPPED. WHEN WE GOT OUT AND SAW THE FIRE WE BEGAN REMOVING OUR CHILDREN AS FAST AS WE COULD. WHEN THE LAST CHILD WAS REMOVED WE BEGAN TO RUN AWAY FROM THE TRUCK. BY THIS TIME THE TRUCK WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO SMELL OF GAS OR ANY WARNING TELLING US THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. WE WERE BLESSED TO COME OUT OF THIS ALIVE, BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR OTHER FAMILIES. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF IT COULD SAVE LIVES. ITS NOT RIGHT FOR MANUFACTURES TO PUT PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK FOR THE SAKE OF A FEW DOLLARS. I CAN NOT OR WILL NOT PUT THIS OUT OF MY MIND AS IF IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE.
NHTSA complaint #10131205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR WOULD "DIE" ANYTIME AND THEN OUTOMATICALLY TURN BACK ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SAME WOULD HAPPEN DURING CITY DRIVING BUT I WIOULD HAVE TO RE-START THE CAR. A VERY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE IF I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN WHEN THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY STOP. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS BECOMING A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS KIND OF AUTOMOBILE (BRAVADA, BLAZER, JIMMY). I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I TURNED INTO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10116338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES FOR STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10099243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V-117000 RELATED TO A FAULTY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED AT A LATER DATE TO HAVE IT DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING FINE WHEN IT WAS DROPPED OFF. WHEN DEPARTING THE FACILITY AFTER REPAIR, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN OR LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. THE SERVICE REP WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE MALFUNCTIONS WERE NOT THE DEALERS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WOULD BE BILLED FOR ANY REPAIRS MADE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10042609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR BLEW OUT AT 58524 MILES, NEEDED TO REPLACE. THIS IS WAY TOO SOON FOR AN ALTERNATOR TO GO OUT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND FLICKER. ANYTIME THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROLS OR LUMBAR SWITCH'S ARE PRESSED THE FLASHING AND FLICKERING INCREASES AS WELL AS BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPPING. TESTED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE POWER SEATS, FLICKER STILL REMAINS AND VEHICLE STILL LOSES BATTERY VOLTAGE RANDOMLY. VEHICLE ALSO RESPONDS LIKE IT HAS A DEAD BATTERY EVERYTIME IT'S STARTED (REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW ONE AND HAD SAME PROBLEM).
NHTSA complaint #10008171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10007472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERIOR LIGHTS SOMETIMES STAY ON WONT SHUT OFF, DIGITAL COMPASS, TEMPATURE SCREEN WONT KEEP MEMORY--BROKEN FUEL PUMP, LEAKED GAS---DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT SHUT, FRAME AROUND DOOR LATCH TO CRACK & BREAK---REAR WIPER DOES NOT MOVE---FACTORY DECK SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK---CD PLAYER WONT WORK AT ALL---SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON---KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION--AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK---LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING
NHTSA complaint #9006554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED, BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED, AUTOMATIC DOOR STOPPED FOR A SHORT TIME, LIGHTS OFTEN FLICKER, LUMBER DRIVERS SEAT BLEW, A FUSE THAT CONTROLS DOOR LOCKS, REAR HATCH AND SEAT SAFETY ADJUSTMENTS, WERE ALL INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #564171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BATTERY GOES DEAD, REPLACED SHORTED BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #564171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #564171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRING WAS PINCHED AGAINST FLOORBOARDS AND DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING FRAME, WE HAD REPAIRED AT OUR OWN EXPENSE, 7 HOURS OF LABOR @ $55.00/HOUR - PRICE FOR THE PART -$5.53. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED W/ IT, DRIVER SEAT ADJUST INOPERABLE, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH, DOOR LOCKS LOCK/UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. IS IT A DEFECTIVE OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED WIRING? HOW IS THE OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR WIRES GETTING CRIMPED WHEN ADJUSTING THE SEAT? WE DID NOT INSTALL THE WIRING, THE MANUFACTURER DID. IT WAS NOT ABUSED. WE DO NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR WIRING INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER GETTING CRIMPED IN BETWEEN THE FLOOR BOARD AND DRIVE SEAT WHEN WE ADJUST IT.
NHTSA complaint #759951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED, BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED, AUTOMATIC DOOR STOPPED FOR A SHORT TIME, LIGHTS OFTEN FLICKER, LUMBER DRIVERS SEAT BLEW, A FUSE THAT CONTROLS DOOR LOCKS, REAR HATCH AND SEAT SAFETY ADJUSTMENTS, WERE ALL INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #564171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
GENERATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #716347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
PROBLEMS 1)ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED 2) TENSIONER REPLACED 3) BATTERY REPLACED AGAIN 4) HARMONIC BALANCER REPLACED 5) STARTED REPLACED 6) TRANSFER CASE, DRIVE SHAFT, DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED 7)GAS FLOAT HAS TO BE REPLACED TO GET ACCURATE GAS GAUGE LEVEL TO LIST A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AFTER A YEAR AND HALF OF OWNING
NHTSA complaint #712368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PROBLEMS 1)ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED 2) TENSIONER REPLACED 3) BATTERY REPLACED AGAIN 4) HARMONIC BALANCER REPLACED 5) STARTED REPLACED 6) TRANSFER CASE, DRIVE SHAFT, DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED 7)GAS FLOAT HAS TO BE REPLACED TO GET ACCURATE GAS GAUGE LEVEL TO LIST A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AFTER A YEAR AND HALF OF OWNING
NHTSA complaint #712368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #609771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.