MYRModel Year Report

1996 Oldsmobile Bravada

● Typical for this model
1996 Oldsmobile Bravada
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:46.726Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
77
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 44 complaints 1991 1992: 56 complaints 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 91 complaints 1995: 2 complaints 1996: 77 complaints 1996 77 1997: 104 complaints 1998: 98 complaints 1999: 60 complaints 1999 2000: 76 complaints 2001: 33 complaints 2001 2002: 238 complaints 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 13 complaints
1991: 44 complaints 1991 1992: 56 complaints 1992 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 91 complaints 1994 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 77 complaints 1996 77 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 98 complaints 1998 1999: 60 complaints 1999 2000: 76 complaints 2000 2001: 33 complaints 2001 2002: 238 complaints 2002 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 13 complaints 2004
1991: 44 complaints 1991 1992: 56 complaints 1992 1993: 44 complaints 1993 1994: 91 complaints 1994 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 77 complaints 1996 77 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 98 complaints 1998 1999: 60 complaints 1999 2000: 76 complaints 2000 2001: 33 complaints 2001 2002: 238 complaints 2002 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 13 complaints 2004

1996: 77 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199144
199256
199344
199491
19952
199677
1997104
199898
199960
200076
200133
2002238
200327
200413

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

45% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

21% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Driver stopped at toll booth to pay toll and saw smoke coming from rear of vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-02

Consumer states that there is oil leaking onto the brakes which is causing the consumer to have trouble stopping because the brakes will become slippery. Contacted dealer and the dealer is not willing to do anything.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-10

Electrical system

12% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and fuses and circuit breakers.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-14

Also filed under Engine

After starting vehicle will lose all power. Unable to operate windows, radio,windshield wipers etc,.contacted dealer, they replaced ignition switch, but problem reoccurred.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-17

Suspension

12% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing control arm and upper ball joint.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1994-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-02-28 ABS braking system
  2. R
    1996-11-21Fuel system, gasoline96V234000 Vehicle description: 4-door, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive multi-purpose passenger vehicles. During development testing, the prop shaft contacted the inboard side of the fuel tank allowing…

    Remedy: Dealers will install additional shielding of the fuel tank. This will be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1999-07-30Engineering analysisClosed 2001-08-28 Upper and lower control arm ball joint
  4. R
    2001-09-04Suspension01V200000 On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began September 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2001-12-04Suspension01I018000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1996-1997 4-wheel drive Chevrolet blazer…

    Remedy: GM has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the upper ball joints on affected vehicles. This special policy is for a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  7. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Oldsmobile Bravada — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V234000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 01V200000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01I018000 · Suspension
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.