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2004 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Aug 18, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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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.

4
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10808623 · filed Dec 6, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10398884 · filed May 4, 2011

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.

3
reports

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!!

NHTSA ID 11479892 · filed Aug 18, 2022

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!!!

NHTSA ID 11366777 · filed Oct 28, 2020

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.

3
reports

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!!

NHTSA ID 11479892 · filed Aug 18, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID 10808623 · filed Dec 6, 2015

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.

2
reports

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!!!

NHTSA ID 11366777 · filed Oct 28, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11019209 · filed Aug 23, 2017

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11443450 · filed Dec 11, 2021

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

NHTSA ID 10110279 · filed Mar 2, 2005

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.

1
report

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!!!

NHTSA ID 11366777 · filed Oct 28, 2020

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 11443450 · filed Dec 11, 2021

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 11443450 · filed Dec 11, 2021

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 10129547 · filed Jul 21, 2005

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

Data on this page last refreshed .