43 of the 1,346 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Bravada are about the steering — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
43
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL WITH INABILITY TO STEER. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND THAT STEERING FLUID WAS DRAINING FROM MY CAR. TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP & THEY SAID THE STEERING PUMP BLEW. IM GLAD I WASN'T TRAVELING FASTER AND THAT NO ONE WAS STRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10563421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER STEERING WENT OUT...
NHTSA complaint #10464124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH THROUGH A FENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #10404361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
ON 11 APR 2005, I PURCHASED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA FROM A NH DEALER, WITH APPROX. 74000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN ONE WEEK, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FOR A BAD WATER PUMP, AND DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH. DURING THE WEEK OF 21 APRIL, I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAD A NH STATE INSPECTION STICKER, BUT IT HAS YET TO PASS A MA STATE INSPECTION. THE AIR INJECTION PUMP THAT ASSISTS IN THE AIR/FUEL MIX HAS BEEN UPDATED BY GM, BUT THEIR "UPDATE" ALLOWS THEM TO CALL IT SOMETHING OTHER THAN A RECALL, SO, IT WOULD COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $400-500. FOR THIS "UPDATE". IN SEP OF 2005, I NOTICED A GRADUALLY GROWING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS WIPED OUT. THE SAFETY ISSUES ALONE WERE EXHAUSTIVE. THE FOLLOWING HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND WERE DONE, TO THE COST OF $1700.: PITMAN ARM / IDLER ARM / UPPER, LOWER BALL JOINTS / CV JOINTS,AXLES,BOOTS/ ENTIRE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES / FRONT BRAKES (ROTORS,PADS,CALIPERS) / 4 TIRES CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR IS SAGGING DUE TO POOR DOOR PINS AND BUSHINGS. MAACO WANTS $1200. TO REPLACE THE HINGES, PINS, AND BUSHINGS, AND REPAIR/REPLACE THE STRIKER PLATE AND SURROUNDING AREA. THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL SOUNDS CONSTANTLY EVEN WITHOUT USING THE SIGNAL, AND GOES AWAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE (!?) THE KEY FREQUENTLY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. LAST MONTH YET ANOTHER ALTERNATOR HAD TO GO IN AS THE OTHER FAILED. I HAD THIS BACK IN THE SHOP YESTERDAY 01FEB06 FOR A BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END, AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT HE CALLED GM. THEY CONFIRMED THERE IS A DEFECTIVE FRONT TORSION BAR IN THESE BLAZER-TYPE VEHICLES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $250. IT NEVER ENDS. I AM TRULY EXHAUSTED BOTH MENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN. THE DEALER WON'T TAKE IT BACK, WILL NOT ASSIST, AND GM DOES NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH ME. THEY WON'T EVEN TAKE MY CALL. I TRULY FEAR FOR MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10149317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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CONSUMER HAD FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS ON OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA REPLACED. *MR THREE BALL JOINTS, IDLER ARM, AND PITMAN ARM WERE ALL REPLACED. THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10120364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING ON CA HWY 18, OUR 2004 OLDS BRAVADA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. A PASSING MOTORIST SHOUTED TO MY HUSBAND THAT HIS CAR WAS ON FIRE. HE PULLED OVER; THE FIRE DEPT. RESPONDED. CAR WAS TOWED TO GM DEALER; USAA INS. DETERMINED THAT IT WAS TOTALED. IT WAS TOWED TO THEIR YARD IN NO. HOLLYWOOD WHERE IT NOW IS. GM HIRED AN ENGINEER TO CHECK THE CAR. GM THEN TOLD US THAT A PHOTO TAKEN AFTER THE FIRE & TOWS SHOWED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DIP STICK HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY SECURED & THIS CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD ONE OIL CHANGE ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. IN WRITING, GM SAID "AFTER CAREFUL INVESTIGATION OF YOUR CASE, NONE OF THE AVAILABLE DATA SUGGESTS THAT THE PRODUCT ALLEGATION HAS ANY MERIT..." & REFERRED US BACK TO OUR INS. CO. USAA HIRED AN ENGINEER & THEIR CONCLUSION STATES: "THE CAUSE & ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS A FAILURE OF A POWER STEERING HOSE IN THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILED HOSE SPRAYED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHERE IT WAS IGNITED BY A SPARK FROM THE SPARK PLUGS AND/OR HEAT FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER." I HAVE THE FULL REPORT WHICH ALSO STATES ""THE RIGHT UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID...THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MELTED DOWNWARD FROM THE TOP. THE POWER STEERING HOSES IN THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE DAMAGED. POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY PATTERNS WERE FOUND BENEATH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALONG THE FRONT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FIRE IGNITED QUICKLY AFTER THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK BEGAN AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP STILL TURNED FREELY... NO OTHER FIRE CAUSES OR CONTRIBUTORS WERE FOUND...*AK
NHTSA complaint #10110279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE DRIVING,THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES,THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKIDDED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER HEAD ON. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB VEHICLE DID NOT SKID BUT WAS TAKEN QUICKLY AND SHARPLY TO THE LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN AND IMPACTED A CURB LIKE BARRIER DAMAGING VEHICLE. HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALED. THOUGHT TO HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT BUT NOT CONFIRMED. PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WAS ALSO EVIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10097198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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PRODUCT RECALL INVOLVING 2003 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. *MR THE FRONT LEATHER SEAT WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS CRACKED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED, THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WHEELS WERE OFF, THERE WAS A BROKEN HINGE WHICH WAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES AND WAS PREVIOUSLY BROKEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN IT WAS DRIVEN IN REVERSE AND THE TRANSMISSION OR THE STEERING MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. *SC THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10087425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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AC COMPRESSOR REPLACED TWICE. FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM (DEXCOOL). IDLER ARM REPLACED 48222. LOWER BALL JOINTS.48222 RECALLED LEFT REAR AXLE LEAK.48222 OIL COOLER LINES REPLACED,48222. CHARGING SYSTEM FAILER REPLACED ALTERNATER 47577 REPLACED BATTERY 47577 FRNT BRAKES AND ROTORS 45631 FUEL SENDER UNIT39434 DRIVER SIDE DOOR PIN 39434 SES LIGHT ON OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACE AC COMPRESSOR 35338 CLEAN EGR VALVE 35338 AC COMPRESSOR 33196 51000 LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN AGAIN (DEALER REPLACED ORIGINAL BECAUSE OF RECALL) PUT JUNK BACK ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10069943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT THE BRAVADA WHEN ACT AS IF YOU ARE USING THE BRAKE WHEN YOU TURN SHARP INTO A PARKING SPOT CAUSE THE TRUCK TO STOP. I THINK THAT IT IS PUTTING TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE CV SHAFT THAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE SOON. *AK ONCE WHEN THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING IN PARK IT ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL FOR A SEC. I HAD JUST PARKED AND LEFT IT RUNNING, AND WALKED TO OTHER SIDE WHEN IT HAPPEN ON APRIL 9 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10066370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA POWER STEERING VIBRATES AND SHAKES WHEN MAKING TURNS WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 60 DEGREES. (I.E. THIS DEFECT OCCURS IN THE SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL BUT NOT IN WINTER.)
NHTSA complaint #10058213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP POWER STEERING LAPSED UNTIL THE TURN WAS MADE. THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER PINION BEARING.
NHTSA complaint #10055610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BEING DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP SO IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10047896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I HAVE AN OLDS BRAVADA AWD 2002 THAT HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN I TURN HARD RIGHT OR LEFT OR BACK UP AND TURN HARD RT OR LT THERE IS A SHUTTER IN THE STEERING. I HAVE CALLED OLDS AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT IT IS COMING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. OTHER OLDS OWNERS HAVE DESCRIBED THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. IT HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS WITH SHARP TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10039064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT STEERING LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10033867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA WITH AWD SMARTRACK WEAR AT A VERY ACCELERATED RATE. THEY, ALONG WITH THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT APPROX 86000 MILES WITH ALL GM PARTS, AND NOW AT 93000 MILES NEED REPLACING AGAIN. THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED, AND THE FRONT END HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES, ALL BY A GM DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD OR FOR PLOWING. HAVING SPOKE TO SEVERAL OTHER BRAVADA OWNERS, I AM FINDING THIS TO BE A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM. THESE COMPONENTS ARE CRITICAL, AND SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THEY HAVE, ESPECIALLY ON AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE THAT NEVER GOES OFF ROAD. NO RECALL IS NOTED, HOWEVER FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THESE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE IS FITTED WITH QUALITY NAME BRAND STANDARD SIZE TIRES IN GOOD CONDITION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.