293 of the 1,346 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Bravada are about the braking system — 22% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1994.
293
Complaints
22%
Share of all complaints
39
Crashes
1
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes system keeps malfunctioning. Service brake system.notice keeps coming on dash even after new brakes had been put on and serviced. Had to do a last mo.ent quick stop but brakes went to floor amd I hit a car head on cause brake system keeps malfunctioning and the ABS
NHTSA complaint #11443450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ON OR ABOUT APRIL 17TH, AS I WAS TURNING OF THE MAIN ROAD ONTO MY CUL-DE-SAC, I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO SLOW AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE SHIFTER INTO LOW TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN TO NEUTRAL AS I CAME TO MY DRIVEWAY. TURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, I DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER HAD RUSTED OUT AND WAS LEAKING PROFUSELY. THE TIMING WAS VERY FORTUNATE AS I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD BEFORE THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND IF I HAD THE NEED TO COME TO A RAPID STOP A FEW MOMENTS EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE MORE THAN LIKELY BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I KNOW THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE, BUT I SAW A NOTICE THAT THIS SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING WITH OTHER GM VEHICLES OF THIS AGE AND WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS AS WELL. THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR WHICH SHOULD NOT BE SUFFERING FROM BRAKE LINES WHICH RUST THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IF YOU DO REQUIRE A RECALL OF THE VEHICLES FOR THIS PURPOSE, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE OLDSMOBILES OUT JUST BECAUSE THE BRAND HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10609339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
HEADING WEST ON EMERALD PARKWAY BETWEEN RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND DUBLIN ROAD IN DUBLIN, OH MY BRAVADA STALLED, THE GAUGES WENT WILD, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I MANAGED TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC AND COAST THE BRAVADA ONTO DUBLIN ROAD (TURNING LEFT) AND GET IT STOPPED OFF THE ROAD UNDER THE OVERPASS. THE BRAVADA WOULD NOT RESTART, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. CRESTVIEW CADILLAC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. DECOSKY MOTORS IN MOUNT VERNON, OH (WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW) KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE THEY HAD HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON QUITE A FEW GM VEHICLES ALREADY AT THAT TIME (MAY, 2006). MY VEHICLE IS NOT AMONG THE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED BY GM. IT SHOULD BE, AND GM KNEW OF THE ISSUE WAY BACK IN 2006!! I AM WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE WILL DO IT AGAIN. I AM UPSET THAT I HAD TO PAY CRESTVIEW A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, PAY FOR TOWING BOTH TO THEM AND TO DECOSKY'S, HAD TO RENT A CAR, AND OTHER EXPENSES DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10607246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ENGINE STALLS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LOST BRAKES, STEERING, NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. LUCKILY WAS ON SMALL HIGHWAY, ABLE TO COAST TO STOP AND HAVE CAR TOWED. MECHANIC UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AFTER KEEPING AND DRIVING VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS. SEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE. HORRIFIED TO READ HUNDREDS OF SAME COMPLAINT; SAME VEHICLE, SAME YEAR. HORRIBLE STORIES OF RESULTING ACCIDENTS. NOW NEWS FULL OF "IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE" ISSUES. BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. GM NOT OFFERING ADVICE AND CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY. SAYS "TOO MANY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN." 2 KEYS ON MINE. VEHICLE NOT ON GM RECALL LIST. BOUGHT SECOND HAND IN 2011. NOW TOO SCARED TO DRIVE IT. STILL OWE $5,000 ON CAR. CANT AFFORD TO ADD THAT TO NEW LOAN. WILL NOT SELL IT TO UNSUSPECTING SOUL WHO MAY BE KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10604398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SUBJECT: GROSS MECHANIC ERROR , POSSIBLE FIRE / EXPLOSIVE SITUATION WHILE IN PALM BAY FL, I HAD MY FUEL FILTER CHANGED AT TIRE KINGDOM FOR ABOUT $90. THEIR MECHANIC INSTALLED A FUEL FILTER THAT RATTLED / DEFECTIVE AND HE DESTROYER THE FUEL LINE IT MOUNTED TO. THE TIRE KINGDOM MECHANIC, THREW OUT THE PLASTIC FUEL FILTER BRACKET AND BRAKE LINE HOLDER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO RUSTY. I WAS TOLD THIS A WEEK LATER BY THE MANAGER. I LOST ABOUT TWO TANKS OF FUEL GETTING TO ATLANTA, GA. I STOPPED FOR LUNCH AND NOTICED A 4 FOOT CIRCLE OF FUEL UNDER MY BRAVADA. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT A HACK JOB TIRE KINGDOM DID. MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW UP!! THERE SHOULD BE FINES FOR SUCH A GROSS INCOMPETENCE AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IF THE FUEL WOULD HAVE SPRAYED ON THE EXHAUST PIPE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. TO GET ME HOME A LOCAL GARAGE, IN ATLANTA GEORGIA, FIXED IT TEMPORARILY SO I COULD MAKE IT HOME, WITH TIE TRAPS, NEW FILTER, REPAIRED FUEL LINE AND O-RING. I AM OUT ABOUT $446. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TBC CEO & SENIOR STAFF AT TCB CORP AND EXEC'S AT TIRE KINGDOM, OVER THE LAST 7 WEEKS BY E-MAIL & MAIL AND CERTIFIED MAIL. TIRE KINGDOM MANAGER BY PHONE & MAIL. I DO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS, PICTURES AND BILLS! I WAS NOT GIVEN THE DISCARDED BRACKET ASSY.. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY BRAVADA IN THE LAST 7 WEEKS FOR FEAR IT COULD BLOW UP. I NEED TO HAVE MY BRAVADA PUT BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL STATE WITH THE PROPER FUEL FILTER AND BRAKE LINE BRACKET ASSY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SPRAY / LEAK TWO FULL TANKS OF GASOLINE ACROSS TWO STATES. YOU CANNOT JUST THROW AWAY PARTS BECAUSE THE MECHANIC THINK THEY ARE TOO RUSTY. PLASTIC BRACKETS DO NOT RUST. I WAS UNEXCEPTIONALLY AND INEXCUSABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10598739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE PRIOR TO TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING, NO POWER STEERING, NO ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF I TAPPED ON THE STEERING COLUMN THE POWER WOULD SOMETIMES COME BACK ON. I DO HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM 2001 WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION PROBLEM GOES BACK FURTHER THAT GM KNOWS.
NHTSA complaint #10577030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING I WOULD HEAR LIKE A MOTOR RUNNING SOUND THAT WOULD LAST APPROX 5/10 SEC. AND DURING THIS TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD RISE AND GET HARD AND I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY LOTS OF PRESSURE IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP WHICH DOES SO WITH GRIND. I REPLACED BOTH ROTORS,CALIPERS,BRAKE PADS,MASTERCYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER.ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN HIT BUMP AND GO OFF AFTER AWHILE .FINALLY I REMOVED FUSE FROM ABS AND PROBLEM CEASED.IN PROCESSES OF DIOGNOSING PROBLEM.DISCOVERED SUSPENSION IN FRONT FALLING APART REPLACED INNER/OUTER TIERODS,PITMAN ARM,BOTH UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS,PASSENGER UPPER CONTROL ARM AND WHEEL HUB.REAR WINDSHEILD WIPER NO LONGER WORKS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FREEZES DURING RAIN WHICH HAS CAUSED WIPER MOTOR TO BE REPLACED.DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES CAUSING DOOR NOT TO SHUT PROPERLY AND DOESNT SIT LEVEL,FUEL GAUGE DOESNT READ PROPERLY WHEN FULL IT READS 1/2 TANK AND WHEN READS EMPTY ITS UNKNOWN HOW MUCH GAS IS REALLY IN TANK HAVE TO RELY ON MILES COUNTER AND CARRY EXTRA GALLON OF GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10500580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO THE PARK POSITION TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BRAKE FLUID WAS DISPENSED INTO THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED A FRACTURED BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #10398162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL AND THE ABS BEGAN TO ENGAGE SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION WITH AN INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN REACHING THE DESTINATION, THE CONTACT DISABLED THE ABS FUSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 03/21/11
NHTSA complaint #10379929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL AND THE ABS BEGAN TO ENGAGE SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION WITH AN INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN REACHING THE DESTINATION, THE CONTACT DISABLED THE ABS FUSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 03/21/11
NHTSA complaint #10379929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY ROADS. IT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE WHERE MY OTHER VEHICLE AND PREVIOUSLY OWN AUTOMOBILES ARE KEPT. WHILE IT WAS BEING SERVICED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE INBOARD SIDES OF THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ADJACENT BRAKE PADS WERE EFFECTIVELY DESTROYED. IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE CONDITION WOULD SOON CAUSE A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE. CONSEQUENTLY ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT AROUND THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT THE STEEL USED IN THE ROTORS WAS CHANGED. NONE OF MY OTHER VEHICLES, ALL OLDER, FORD AND GM MODELS, ALL KEPT IN THE SAME GARAGE, ONE WITH 105,000 MILES, HAS SHOWN THIS TYPE OF CONDITION. I CONSIDER THIS PREMATURE RUST BUILD-UP A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10331775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA HAD A SPONTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE. THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE BRAKE FLUID ESCAPED AND THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. FORTUNATELY, I HAD STOPPED AT A STORE ON MY WAY TO WORK, UPON LEAVING, I STARTED THE ENGINE, PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, AND THE PEDAL COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR. UPON EXAMINATION, THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE GROUND AND DRIPPING FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE TOWING CHARGE WAS $55.00 AND THE REPAIR TO REPLACE THE CORRODED BRAKE LINE WAS APPROXIMATELY $200.00 I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE SECTION OF CORRODED BRAKE LINE. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE TAKES MY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE SERIOUSLY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10328948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES OVER A DAMP PATCH ON THE ROAD AND APPLIES THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND RECALLS AND TSB'S ON HIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99I006000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK); THEREFORE, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10246076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 65 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EVENTUALLY DEPRESS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 158,809.
NHTSA complaint #10211820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
AT 60000 MILES HAVE HAD TO HAVE TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED ABS COMPUTER , BRAKE POWER BOOSTER , MASTER CYLINDER,A BRAKE LINE . ALSO MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN BOUND-UP FOR 9 MONTHS MY VEHICLE WONT EVEN ROLL ON AN INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #10204040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
AT 60000 MILES HAVE HAD TO HAVE TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED ABS COMPUTER , BRAKE POWER BOOSTER , MASTER CYLINDER,A BRAKE LINE . ALSO MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN BOUND-UP FOR 9 MONTHS MY VEHICLE WONT EVEN ROLL ON AN INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #10204040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AT 60000 MILES HAVE HAD TO HAVE TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED ABS COMPUTER , BRAKE POWER BOOSTER , MASTER CYLINDER,A BRAKE LINE . ALSO MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN BOUND-UP FOR 9 MONTHS MY VEHICLE WONT EVEN ROLL ON AN INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #10204040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
PURCHASED 96 GRAND AM IN 98 FOUND IT TO BE WRECKED AFTER I TRADED IN 02 FOR OLD'S BRAVADA WITH MILEAGE ROLL BACK AT BAD DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SEVERAL WRECKS DUE TO MANUFACTURES DEFECT LET GO BACK TO GMAC FINANCING BECAUSE BAD DEALERS COULD FINANCE BAD DEALS THROUGH THEM. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10188161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS BECAUSE THEY HAD PITTED AND CORRODED PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS SO SOON THEY SHOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE SIMILAR VEHICLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. THE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THE CORROSION/WEAR WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THEREFORE HE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #10181139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BRAKES, REPLACED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10167399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.