2004 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 2004 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
- Fuel system422.2%
- Electrical316.7%
- Airbags316.7%
- Exterior lighting211.1%
- Steering211.1%
- Engine15.6%
- Brakes15.6%
- Suspension15.6%
- Transmission15.6%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL, MY WIFE WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS, ONE IN APRIL 2011 SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURB STREET TO CATCH A LIGHT ON A LEFT TURN AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN FOR THE OTHER SIDE COMING AT HER, A CAR ALREADY AT SPEED LIMIT CONTINUED AND MY WIFE STRUCK THAT CAR ON ITS LEFT SIDE WITH HER FRONT LEFT BUMPER ; AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, SHE WAS IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON 12/4/2015. SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE GOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN A VAN DRIFTED INTO HER LANE FORCING HER OFF THE ROAD. HER CAR FISHTAILED WHEN IT HIT THE SHOULDER AND WHEN TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT FLIPPED OVER AND ROLLED A TIMES OFF THE FREEWAY, LANDING UPSIDE DOWN AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS CASE EITHER.
GAS GAUGE , OIL PRESSURE, TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ALL GIVE FALSE READINGS. THIS CAUSE THE INABILITY TO ACCURATELY MAINTAIN SPEED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPEED LIMITS. IT ALSO MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE FUEL LEVEL WHICH CAN LEAD TO RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY DEALER AND DETERMINE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS DEFECTIVE. REPAIR REQUIRED CLUSTER BE SENT TO REPAIR SHOP AT A COST OF $750. I DID MOT HAVE THIS FIXED SINCE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS KIND OF FAILURE BEING THE CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBILITY SINCE VEHICLE SAFE OPERATION IS DEPENDENT ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SUV. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was in a full impact collision driverside front took all impact of another vehicles front end. NO airbags deployed in my 2004 bravada!!
WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND DIDNT COME BACK ON RIGHT AWAY I GOT TRUCK PULLED OFF THE RD. AND TURNED IT OFF GOT OUT TAPPED ON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SHORT OR A BULB ISSUE THERE WAS NOTHJNG WROMG WITH THE BULDS I GOT BACK IN TURNED KEY STILL NO HEADLIGHTS 20 MINS LATER TRIES TURNING KEY AND HEADLIGHTS SWITCH AND THEY FINALLY BEGAN WORKING THIS HAS HAPPEND 4 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS IVE ONLY OWNED VEHICLE LESS THAN 45 DAYS!!! THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS SHORTED OUT AND THE COOLING FAN SYSTEM FOR ENGINE AND A/C HAS SHORTED OUT!!!
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
I was in a full impact collision driverside front took all impact of another vehicles front end. NO airbags deployed in my 2004 bravada!!
TAKATA RECALL, MY WIFE WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS, ONE IN APRIL 2011 SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURB STREET TO CATCH A LIGHT ON A LEFT TURN AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN FOR THE OTHER SIDE COMING AT HER, A CAR ALREADY AT SPEED LIMIT CONTINUED AND MY WIFE STRUCK THAT CAR ON ITS LEFT SIDE WITH HER FRONT LEFT BUMPER ; AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, SHE WAS IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON 12/4/2015. SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE GOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN A VAN DRIFTED INTO HER LANE FORCING HER OFF THE ROAD. HER CAR FISHTAILED WHEN IT HIT THE SHOULDER AND WHEN TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT FLIPPED OVER AND ROLLED A TIMES OFF THE FREEWAY, LANDING UPSIDE DOWN AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS CASE EITHER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND DIDNT COME BACK ON RIGHT AWAY I GOT TRUCK PULLED OFF THE RD. AND TURNED IT OFF GOT OUT TAPPED ON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SHORT OR A BULB ISSUE THERE WAS NOTHJNG WROMG WITH THE BULDS I GOT BACK IN TURNED KEY STILL NO HEADLIGHTS 20 MINS LATER TRIES TURNING KEY AND HEADLIGHTS SWITCH AND THEY FINALLY BEGAN WORKING THIS HAS HAPPEND 4 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS IVE ONLY OWNED VEHICLE LESS THAN 45 DAYS!!! THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS SHORTED OUT AND THE COOLING FAN SYSTEM FOR ENGINE AND A/C HAS SHORTED OUT!!!
THERE IS A CRACK IN MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IS THERE A RECALL OR A EXTENDED COVERAGE. ALSO THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND DIDNT COME BACK ON RIGHT AWAY I GOT TRUCK PULLED OFF THE RD. AND TURNED IT OFF GOT OUT TAPPED ON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SHORT OR A BULB ISSUE THERE WAS NOTHJNG WROMG WITH THE BULDS I GOT BACK IN TURNED KEY STILL NO HEADLIGHTS 20 MINS LATER TRIES TURNING KEY AND HEADLIGHTS SWITCH AND THEY FINALLY BEGAN WORKING THIS HAS HAPPEND 4 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS IVE ONLY OWNED VEHICLE LESS THAN 45 DAYS!!! THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS SHORTED OUT AND THE COOLING FAN SYSTEM FOR ENGINE AND A/C HAS SHORTED OUT!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION UPSHIFT FROM 1 TO 2 GEAR, 2004 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AWD THE TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WHEN IT SHIFTS GEARS AND CAUSES MY FAMILY TO GET THROWN BACK INTO OUR SEATS CAUSING WHIPLASH. IT ALSO DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE RPM, LOSING SPEED. THIS SCARES US CONSIDERING THAT OTHER VEHICLES MIGHT REAR END MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY THE GM DEALERSHIP HOLDS OUR VEHICLE FOR MAYBE 2 DAYS AND DRIVES IT FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE AS IT IS RANDOM EVEN THOUGH THIS CONDITION AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN SAYS THAT IT IS RANDOM, THE VEHICLE IS RETURNED SINCE GM WILL NOT PAY THEM. THEY WANT THE CONDITION T WORSEN BEFORE THEY FIX IT, PUTTING US IS HARMS WAY. I WOULD SUSPECT THIS HAPENS WITH THE TRAILBLAZER AND GMC ENVOY AS WELL.
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 .