2002 Oldsmobile Bravada

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Oldsmobile Bravada Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1991: 44 complaints 1991 1992: 56 complaints 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 91 complaints 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 77 complaints 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 98 complaints 1999: 60 complaints 1999 2000: 76 complaints 2001: 33 complaints 2001 2002: 238 complaints 2002 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 13 complaints 2004
2002: 238 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199144
199256
199343
199491
19952
199677
1997104
199898
199960
200076
200133
2002238
200327
200413

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM SEAT HEATER WHILE CAR WAS OFF AND NO ONE IN IT. THE SEAT HEATER HAD NOT BEEN USED FOR DAYS. MY CAR WAS PARKED AFTER GOING TO THE STORE ABOUT 3PM. FOUND THE NEXT MORNING ABOUT 10;30 AM .GM DENIED MY CLAIM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180114

THE RELAY BLEW, AND STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. *MR THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER UPDATE THE SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH WAS ADDED TO THE EXISTING GM SYSTEM FOR EXTRA PROTECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030924

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

GOING ABOUT 50 MPH ON INTERSTATE WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER. HAD MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES, INCLUDING ABS AND SERVICE BRAKES. PULLED OFF ON EXIT RAMP AND STOPPED ON GRASS COMPLETELY OFF TRAVEL LANE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030119

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

THE 2002 BRAVADA AWD SYSTEM HAS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS.PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT I WAS COMMENTING TO MY WIFE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HANDLING WELL IN SNOWY CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20031215

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010404 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS MAY FRACTURE. THIS FRACTURE COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN BY TELEPHONE ON APRIL 4, 2001. THE FOLLOWUP LETTER TO CONSUMERS WAS MAILED MAY 3, 2001. OWNERS

Campaign 01V126000 — check if this car was fixed

2002 — complaint volume: 238
I 20020318 — PE (closed 20021003)

PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING

I 20020719 — RQ (closed 20021121)

FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTING

R 20020815 — air bags

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020920 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FUEL FILTER FITTING CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, A NO-START CONDITION WOULD RESULT AND FUEL WOULD BE PUMPE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT RETAINERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AN

Campaign 02V121000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030103 — PE (closed 20030506)

ENGINE STALL

I 20030506 — EA (closed 20040618)

ENGINE STALL

R 20030529 — electrical system

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION" AND NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE

Campaign 03V096000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030529 — power train

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT C

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AN

Campaign 03V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030820 — equipment

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DO

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE

Campaign 03V250000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030917 — PE (closed 20040106)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

I 20040106 — EA (closed 20040210)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20040624 — seat belts

CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." ONE OF THE TWO SENSORS IN THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2

Campaign 04V201000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040706 — visibility

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOU

Remedy: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AN

Campaign 04V046000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040803 — EA (closed 20041104)

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

R 20040819 — engine and engine cooling

SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AIR SUSPENSION (ECAS) HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ECAS MAY PRODUCE A BRIEF ELECTRICAL SPIKE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING. TH

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 19, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Campaign 04V289000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041122 — exterior lighting

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-8

Campaign 04V527000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20070710 — EA (closed 20080828)

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

I 20080228 — RQ (closed 20080709)

HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

I 20170424 — RQ (closed 20210329)

Loss of Headlights

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V126000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V121000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V096000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V075000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V201000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V046000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V289000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V527000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ▲ 1993 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

◆ 1997 ◆ 1998 ◆ 1994

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.