MYRModel Year Report

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
238
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 44 complaints 1991 1992: 56 complaints 1993: 44 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 2002: 238 complaints 2002 238 2003: 27 complaints 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 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 98 complaints 1998 1999: 60 complaints 1999 2000: 76 complaints 2000 2001: 33 complaints 2001 2002: 238 complaints 2002 238 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 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 98 complaints 1998 1999: 60 complaints 1999 2000: 76 complaints 2000 2001: 33 complaints 2001 2002: 238 complaints 2002 238 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 13 complaints 2004

2002: 238 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.

Power train

23% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

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, 2003-12-15

Electrical system

20% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and module.

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, 2018-01-14

Also filed under Seats

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, 2003-09-24

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2003-01-19

Visibility

13% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing exterior and rearview mirrors/devices.

CRASH

Suspension

10% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

This Bravada had been recalled and the part replaced. While exiting a parking lot at slow speed the steering failed, car fell to the right and into a telephone pole causing extensive damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-07-23

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2001-04-04Suspension01V126000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 238 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    2002-03-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-03 Pincher/chafed wiring
  4. I
    2002-07-19Recall queryClosed 2002-11-21 Fuel filter quick connect fitting
  5. R
    2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2002-09-20Fuel system, gasoline02V121000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2003-01-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-05-06 Engine stall
  8. I
    2003-05-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-06-18 Engine stall
  9. R
    2003-05-29Electrical system03V096000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2003-05-29Power train03V075000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2003-08-20Equipment03V250000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2003-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-01-06 Windshield wiper failure
  13. I
    2004-01-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-02-10 Windshield wiper failure
  14. R
    2004-06-24Seat belts04V201000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2004-07-06Visibility04V046000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. I
    2004-08-03Engineering analysisClosed 2004-11-04 Brake lamp failure
  17. R
    2004-08-19Engine and engine cooling04V289000 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2004-11-22Exterior lighting04V527000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. I
    2007-07-10Engineering analysisClosed 2008-08-28 Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
  20. I
    2008-02-28Recall queryClosed 2008-07-09 Hazard light switch failure
  21. I
    2017-04-24Recall queryClosed 2021-03-29 Loss of Headlights

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 46 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V126000 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
  • Recall 02V121000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 03V096000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 03V075000 · Power train
  • Recall 03V250000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V201000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 04V046000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04V289000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 04V527000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 power train, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada have?
10 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.