1996 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes3133.3%
- Visibility1516.1%
- Engine1111.8%
- Suspension88.6%
- Electrical88.6%
- Fuel system66.5%
- Other / unspecified33.2%
- Transmission33.2%
- Body & structure33.2%
- Interior & seats11.1%
- Heating & air conditioning11.1%
- Airbags11.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.1%
- Seat belts11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS SENSORS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE PULSATION AND FAILURE. REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILED (STILL ON VEHICLE). *NM
THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED FLUID, WHICH CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL.*JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS SENSORS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE PULSATION AND FAILURE. REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILED (STILL ON VEHICLE). *NM
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON MY 1996 OLDS BRAVADA STARTED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM, AS DIAGNOSED BY A GM DEALER WAS A FAULTY WIPER CONTROL BOARD/MODULE. THIS IS THE FAULT DESCRIBED ON GM RECALL 03023. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY SOME OF THE 1996 BRAVADAS ARE COVERED BY THIS RECALL (AND MINE IS NOT). WHEN I FIRST ENCOUNTERED IT IN JUNE OF 2005, I REPLACED THE FUSE AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR A WEEK OR TWO. THEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, REPLACED THE FUSE AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE. THIS CYCLE KEPT OCCURRING UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY 2005 WHEN EVEN REPLACING THE FUSE DID NOT HELP. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM CAN BE COVERED ON SOME 96 BRAVADAS BUT NOT ON OTHERS. *NM
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START HAVING TROUBLE GETTING ENGINE TO START I WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED THEN MANAGED TO START IT MADE IT HOME THEN DIED AT MY HOUSE AND HAS NOT MOVED SINCE.
ENGINE OVERHEATING UD-LIKE COOLANT (DEX-COOL). *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A FAILURE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE - I HAD REPLACEMENT DONE WHICH COST $1326.00. *NM
OLDSMOBILE, BRAVADA, 1996. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. GMC HAS A RECALL FOR THESE COMPONENTS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 01V200000. GMC REFUSED TO REPAIR. THEIR RECALL IS FOR VEHICLES WITH VIN #'S T2705034-T2708364 (LAST EIGHT DIGITS) MY VIN # IS T2710395. THE BALL JOINTS ARE OBVIOUSLY FAILING IN OTHER VEHICLES THAN THOSE THEY LISTED.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START HAVING TROUBLE GETTING ENGINE TO START I WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED THEN MANAGED TO START IT MADE IT HOME THEN DIED AT MY HOUSE AND HAS NOT MOVED SINCE.
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL POWER. UNABLE TO OPERATE WINDOWS, RADIO,WINDSHIELD WIPERS ETC,.CONTACTED DEALER, THEY REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE 1996 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA CONTAINS A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE THE POPPET VALVES TO LOCK-UP. THERE WAS A COMPLETELY REDESIGNED SYSTEM FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT HAVE POPPET VALVES. THIS REDESIGN IS THE SIGNIFICANT ADMISSION OF THIS BEING A DESIGN FLAW. THE RECORDS OF THE COMPANY NEED TO BE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. THE MECHANICS WHICH I HAVE INTERVIEWED VIEW THIS AS A SIGNIFICANT PERSISTENT AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *JB
FUEL PUMP - VEHICLE PRESENTED AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. HURSH REPLACED, $700+. WHEN WE GOT HOME, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ANOTHER GM DEALER CLOSER TO HOME LOOKED AT PROBLEM, DETERMINED THAT THE REASON IT WOULDN'T START WAS A WIRING HARNESS. HURSH WOULDN'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY AT THAT POINT, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. REPAIRED HARNESS FOR $140. THEY ALSO TESTED THE "REPLACED" PART AND DETERMINED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN THAT ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC'S PROFESSIONAL OPINION, HURSH NEVER BOTHERED TO TEST THE FUEL PUMP TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY JUST GOT LUCKY WHEN THEY PUT THE WIRING HARNESS TOGETHER AND IT WORKED WHEN THEY GAVE IT BACK TO ME. WHEN I DROVE IT HOME, IT FAILED AGAIN. - I WANT MY $700+ BILL FOR THEIR REPAIR REFUNDED. I ALSO WANT GM TO ADDRESS A POOR DESIGN OF A FUEL PUMP PLACEMENT (THAT I BELIEVE THEY STILL USE) THAT REQUIRES $400 OF LABOR TO DROP THE FUEL TANK TO ACCESS. THERE'S NO REASON THIS PART COULDN'T BE DESIGNED TO HAVE ACCESS FROM THE SIDE OF THE TANK RATHER THAN THE TOP. BUILT IN COMPLEXITY TO STEAL MONEY FROM THE CONSUMER.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE VIBRATED. DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND THAT ONLY ONE LUG, NUT WAS HOLDING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE OTHER LUGS, NUTS SHEARED OFF. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT REAR SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/7OR15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/7OR15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION LINE COUPLINGS HAVE FAILED TWICE SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED. FIRST AT UNDER 30,000 MILES SECOND AT 32,684 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM IN JULY OF 2001, SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 4/04/2002. TOTAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COUPLINGS BOTH TIMES.*AK
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, LESS BRAKING POWER. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE TAILGATE GLASS EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND REPAIRED LATER ON. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SPOILER ABOVE TOP REARVIEW WINDOW FLEW OFF. PROBLEM WAS NOT REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR STOPPED WORKING DURING OPERATION. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK THE BRAVADA'S WERE RECALLED FOR FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED RECENTLY. RECALL# 98V150000. THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD COME LOOSE DUE TO THE PIN COMING OUT OF THE MOTOR BRACKET, AND STEAM HAD COME FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND THERE WAS WETNESS ON THE RIGHT SIDE FLOOR, AND THE A/C WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR STOPPED WORKING DURING OPERATION. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK THE BRAVADA'S WERE RECALLED FOR FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED RECENTLY. RECALL# 98V150000. THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD COME LOOSE DUE TO THE PIN COMING OUT OF THE MOTOR BRACKET, AND STEAM HAD COME FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND THERE WAS WETNESS ON THE RIGHT SIDE FLOOR, AND THE A/C WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING A ROLLOVER, 5 TIMES , NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY CONSUMER AFFAIRS. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OCT.1 2004. THE CONTACT WAS IN LAS VEGAS AND HER CAR BROKE DOWN. SHE HAD TO HAVE A NEW DRIVESHAFT. THE MECHANICS FROM THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS TOLD HER THAT THE FRONT END SHOULD HAVE BEEN SALVADGED. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN WELDED TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING SHE NOTICED THAT ONE PART OF THE CAR WOULD GO ONE WAY AND ANOTHER PART ANOTHER WAY. WHEN SHE GOT BACK FROM LAS VEGAS SHE CONTACTED THE PERSON SHE BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DRIVESHAFT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED ON HER WARRENTY. A PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR SAID THAT HE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END THAT SHE WAS HAVING. THE CONTACT PUT ANOTHER DRIVESHAFT IN THE VEHICLE AND THREE WEEKS LATER THE DRIVESHAFT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS MADE THE SECOND DRIVESHAFT IN THE VEHICLE. THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT END IS CROOKED. THE SECOND DRIVESHAFT WAS INSTALLED ON MAY 5, 2005.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SEAT BELTS DO NOT KEEP CONSUMER IN PLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .