1997 Oldsmobile Bravada

◆ Worse than typical

1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:15.255Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 PER YEAR

1997: 104 complaints

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VOLTAGE DROPPING WHILE VEHICLE IN STOPPED CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO DIM. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20180725

Also filed under POWER TRAIN

SUSPENSION 18%

18% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing upper ball joint and lower ball joint.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING I WOULD HEAR LIKE A MOTOR RUNNING SOUND THAT WOULD LAST APPROX 5/10 SEC. AND DURING THIS TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD RISE AND GET HARD AND I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY LOTS OF PRESSURE IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP WHICH DOES SO WITH GRIND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130227

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES

POWER TRAIN 18%

18% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing differential unit and driveshaft.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I JUST HAD THE TRANSFER CASE AND DIFFERENTIAL ON MY 1997 OLDS BRAVADA REPAIRED AND WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A POP SOUND AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030520

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

VISIBILITY 13%

13% of complaints: visibility — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING. THERE WAS NO WARNING. DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE, GOT OUT, AND WIGGLED THE WIPER ARM, AND WIPERS STARTED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030820

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19941031 — EA (closed 20000228)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 104

R 20010904 — suspension

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

R 20011204 — suspension

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

R 20030808 — seat belts

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO

Campaign 03V117000 — check if this car was fixed