1996 Oldsmobile Bravada
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 44 |
| 1992 | 56 |
| 1993 | 44 |
| 1994 | 91 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 77 |
| 1997 | 104 |
| 1998 | 98 |
| 1999 | 60 |
| 2000 | 76 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 238 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 13 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
45% of complaints: service brakes — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY21% of complaints: visibility — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.
13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
DRIVER STOPPED AT TOLL BOOTH TO PAY TOLL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030902
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. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021010
12% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file, 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, 20180514
Also filed under ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20020917
12% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control arm and upper ball joint.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
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 FUEL
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Campaign 96V234000 — check if this car was fixed
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT
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, MISSO
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 THE
Campaign 01V200000 — check if this car was fixed
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, GMC
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 FIR
Campaign 01I018000 — check if this car was fixed
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
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 D
Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed
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 MANUFACTURE
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).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Oldsmobile Bravada — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (35 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V234000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V200000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01I018000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.