EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 238 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and visibility categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 10 NHTSA investigations name it; and 601 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 154 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 155 |
| Jan 2005 | 2 | 157 |
| Feb 2005 | 3 | 160 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 161 |
| May 2005 | 4 | 165 |
| Jun 2005 | 2 | 167 |
| Jul 2005 | 3 | 170 |
| Sep 2005 | 2 | 172 |
| Oct 2005 | 2 | 174 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 175 |
| Dec 2005 | 1 | 176 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 177 |
| Mar 2006 | 3 | 180 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 181 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 182 |
| Sep 2006 | 1 | 183 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 184 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 185 |
| Sep 2007 | 1 | 186 |
| Oct 2007 | 3 | 189 |
| Dec 2007 | 1 | 190 |
| Jan 2008 | 2 | 192 |
| Mar 2008 | 3 | 195 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 196 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 197 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 198 |
| Nov 2008 | 2 | 200 |
| Dec 2008 | 1 | 201 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 202 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 203 |
| Jul 2009 | 1 | 204 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 205 |
| Feb 2010 | 2 | 207 |
| Aug 2010 | 2 | 209 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 210 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 211 |
| Jun 2011 | 2 | 213 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 214 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 215 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 216 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 217 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 218 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 219 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 220 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 221 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 222 |
| Jun 2015 | 2 | 224 |
| Aug 2015 | 3 | 227 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 228 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 229 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 230 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 231 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 232 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 233 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 234 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 235 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 236 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 237 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 238 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine5216.2%
- Electrical4112.8%
- Visibility309.3%
- Transmission278.4%
- Suspension216.5%
- Tires & wheels185.6%
- Brakes175.3%
- Interior & seats165.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
10 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SEAT BELTS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
ON NOVEMBER 30, 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL 01V-364 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 AND AUGUST 28, 2001 TO REMEDY A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HAZARD AND STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.THE HAZARD SWITCH IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE VEHICLE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON REPORTS THAT SOME CONSUMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL OR THAT THEY HAD REPAIRS DONE UNDER 01V-364 BUT EXPERIENCED SUBSEQUENT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURES.THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SUPPORTS THE OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND TURN SIGNALS IN ADDITION TO HAZARD AND STOP LAMPS. ON MAY 21, 2008, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT ERRONEOUSLY MISSED IDENTIFYING 5,862 VEHICLES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V-364.GM WILL NOW NOTIFY OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A NEW NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-231.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 17.THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF BRAKE LAMP FAILURE WAS A DESIGN CHANGE FROM COPPER TO BRASS CONTACT MATERIAL IN THE HAZARD SWITCH.THIS CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16, 1999.GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL BACK TO COPPER FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 28, 2001. THE REMEDY PART FOR BOTH 01V-364 AND 08V-231 CONTAINS COPPER CONTACTS.GM'S DATA SHOWS THAT LESS THAN 1% OF VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 01V-364 REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SUBSEQUENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD OR MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Front Control arm broke at the frame. There is a recall for this control arm issue for a 2002 Bravada but, my vin was not included. 01V126000 is the NHTSA. The control arms fractured causing separation from the frame. Bravada is at service shop and they have confirmed the frame separation from control arm. This is very dangerous and has caused it to be unsafe and deadly.
- NHTSA ID
- 11457744
- Incident
- Mar 18, 2022
I was merging onto the interstate going approximately 35 mph, I spun out on black ice across three lanes of traffic and smashed into the guard rail. The airbags DID NOT deploy during this accident, even when the car rolled back and hit the wall again. Since the airbags did not deploy, I suffered trauma to my chin and inside my mouth. I have facial cellulitis, and I needed to receive 3 stitches inside my mouth to stop the bleeding. This happened because my face hit the steering wheel, rather than being protected by the airbag. There were no warning lights on the vehicle prior to failure. The airbags not deploying could have potentially injured me greatly if I had been going any faster.
- NHTSA ID
- 11449295
- Incident
- Jan 26, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND THERE WAS LATERAL MOVEMENT OF BOTH REAR WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SUSPENSION OUTER LINK BRACKETS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED, AND THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V126000 (SUSPENSION) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,300. *LN *AS
- NHTSA ID
- 11348656
- Incident
- Jul 22, 2020
- Mileage
- 129,300 mi
SIDE MIRRORS BEING ADJUSTED INCORRECTLY BOTH WHEN BACKING AND ALTERING WHEN GOING FORWARD
- NHTSA ID
- 11173782
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2018
PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM SEAT HEATER WHILE CAR WAS OFF AND NO ONE IN IT. THE SEAT HEATER HAD NOT BEEN USED FOR DAYS. MY CAR WAS PARKED AFTER GOING TO THE STORE ABOUT 3PM. FOUND THE NEXT MORNING ABOUT 10;30 AM .GM DENIED MY CLAIM. SAFETY ISSUE,DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURED DEFECT ,THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. WHOLE INSIDE OF THE CAR IS TRASHED . THE FIRE OBVIOUSLY STARTED FROM THE SEAT MUST HAVE BEEN A BLAZE THE HEADLINER AND VISOR ALSO BURNT. MUST HAVE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN. I CONTACTED GM THEY NEVER SENT ANYONE TO LOOK AT IT. I EMAILED THEM PHOTOS AND THROUGH THAT THEY ARE DENYING THAT IT IS A DEFECT OR A SAFETY ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AND YET THERE IS STILL NOT A RECALL FOR THIS
- NHTSA ID
- 11062702
- Incident
- Jan 5, 2018
- Mileage
- 110,000 mi
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL A COUPLE YEARS AGO AT THE TIME MY BRAVADA WAS NOT DOING WHAT IT SAID WHICH WAS THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. NOW I AM SELLING GAS EVERYONE I START HER UP. I CAN NOT FIND THE LETTER I RECEIVED ABOUT THISSTYER SO THOUGH T I WOULD TRY THIS AND HOPEFULLY GET SOME ANSWERS. THANK YOU :)
- NHTSA ID
- 11006330
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2017
AT 60K MILES HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR (WITH 2003 CHEVY BLAZER). MIRRORS DON'T RECALL AND MOVE WHEN UNLOCKING CAR. PASSENGER SEAT BELT GETS TIGHT AFTER BRAKING AND HAS TO BE UNDONE, RECOILED, AND PUT BACK ON. BACKUP LIGHTS BLOW EVERY YEAR. THE AWD WAS FIXED TWICE BY DEALER AND MESSED UP AGAIN SO WE HAD IT REMOVED. THE AIR SUSPENSION BLEW & WAS REPLACED WITH SPRINGS. TERRIBLE RACKET IN THE REAR END. DRIVER HEATED SEAT QUIT WORKING 2 YEARS AGO. THIS YEAR, TRANSMISSION HAS QUIT WORKING (WHILE DRIVING) AND I AM OVER THIS CAR! *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10949015
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 248,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN BURNING ODOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS MELTING FROM THE BOTTOM AND WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE CARPET. THE CONTACT PULLED THE FUSE BOX WIRES FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT TO PREVENT THE SEAT FROM BURNING; HOWEVER, THE SEAT WAS STILL GETTING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10896435
- Incident
- Aug 16, 2016
- Mileage
- 215,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.