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1997 Oldsmobile Bravada

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 58.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 71 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports

Suspension complaints

17 reports
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160,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesSuspension

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. I REPLACED BOTH ROTORS,CALIPERS,BRAKE PADS,MASTERCYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER.ABS LIGH…

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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. I REPLACED BOTH ROTORS,CALIPERS,BRAKE PADS,MASTERCYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER.ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN HIT BUMP AND GO OFF AFTER AWHILE .FINALLY I REMOVED FUSE FROM ABS AND PROBLEM CEASED.IN PROCESSES OF DIOGNOSING PROBLEM.DISCOVERED SUSPENSION IN FRONT FALLING APART REPLACED INNER/OUTER TIERODS,PITMAN ARM,BOTH UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS,PASSENGER UPPER CONTROL ARM AND WHEEL HUB.REAR WINDSHEILD WIPER NO LONGER WORKS AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FREEZES DURING RAIN WHICH HAS CAUSED WIPER MOTOR TO BE REPLACED.DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES CAUSING DOOR NOT TO SHUT PROPERLY AND DOESNT SIT LEVEL,FUEL GAUGE DOESNT READ PROPERLY WHEN FULL IT READS 1/2 TANK AND WHEN READS EMPTY ITS UNKNOWN HOW MUCH GAS IS REALLY IN TANK HAVE TO RELY ON MILES COUNTER AND CARRY EXTRA GALLON OF GAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500580

125,000 miles · Aug 7, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. HE STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01V200000) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. HE STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01V200000) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 02/08/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10198749

135,105 miles · Jun 7, 2005
Suspension

DT: RECALLS 01I018000 AND 01V200000 WAS ISSUED BUT NOT ON CALLER'S CAR. UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE WITHOUT WARNING AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID CALLERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALLS DUE TO VIN. MANUFACTURER SAID IF THERE WAS INJURY OR DEATH THEY WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10124479

80,100 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Suspension

I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION ON THE FRONT END OF MY 1997 OLD'S BRAVADA. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT REQUIRED BALL JOINTS BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # OF 01I018000 IN REFERENCE TO IT AND THAT GM HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THEM FOR A PEIOD OF 8YR'S OR 100,0…

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I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION ON THE FRONT END OF MY 1997 OLD'S BRAVADA. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT REQUIRED BALL JOINTS BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # OF 01I018000 IN REFERENCE TO IT AND THAT GM HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THEM FOR A PEIOD OF 8YR'S OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN SERVICE. WELL, I DID THAT AND WAS TOLD AFTER A TOTAL RUN AROUND AS WELL AS THE SERVICE GARAGE GOING THRU THE RUN AROUND AS WELL CALLING ON IT, THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY 97' OLD'S BRAVADA. SO HERE I AM WITH A TRUCK THAT IS UNDER THE STATED TIME OF REPAIR BY GM WITH FRONT END WORK THAT WILL COST ME OVER $800.00 TO FIX AND GM DOES NOT CARE. SO WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A CAMPAIGN ON THE VEHICLE IF GM HAD NOT INTENTION OF DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT? THE SERVICE GUY AT THE GARAGE EVEN ASKED THE REP. FROM GM, "SO AM I SUPPOSED TO LET THE GUY DRIVE OFF WITH THE BAD BALLJOINTS SO HIS WHEELS FALL OFF AND POSSIBLY CREATING AN ACCIDENT?" SHE DID NOT RESPOND AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. SO IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE MUCH FOR FEAR OF THE WHEELS FALLING OFF, UNLESS I PAY FOR THE WORK TO DO SO. SO WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE COMPAINT WHEN GM INTENDED ON DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT? I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK AND WILL NEVER BUY A GM PRODUCT AS LONG AS I LIVE AGAIN. I SHOULD HAVE JUST STAYED WITH MY TOYOTA.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098216

83,000 miles · Apr 19, 2004
Suspension

AT 80,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TRASMISSION REPLACED. AT THE TIME I INQUIRED ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS RECALL. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL. 6 MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE OF A CLUNKING SOUND UNDER THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME I NEED A NEW DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE AND BALL JOINTS FOR A TOTAL OF $3747.00! IT'S NOT SA…

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AT 80,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TRASMISSION REPLACED. AT THE TIME I INQUIRED ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS RECALL. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL. 6 MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE OF A CLUNKING SOUND UNDER THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME I NEED A NEW DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE AND BALL JOINTS FOR A TOTAL OF $3747.00! IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX IT. HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM THE START.

NHTSA ODI #10066486

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering

AC COMPRESSOR REPLACED TWICE. FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM (DEXCOOL). IDLER ARM REPLACED 48222. LOWER BALL JOINTS.48222 RECALLED LEFT REAR AXLE LEAK.48222 OIL COOLER LINES REPLACED,48222. CHARGING SYSTEM FAILER REPLACED ALTERNATER 47577 REPLACED BATTERY 47577 FRNT BRAKES AND ROTORS 45631 FUEL SENDER UNIT39434 DRIVER SIDE DOOR PIN 39434 …

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AC COMPRESSOR REPLACED TWICE. FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM (DEXCOOL). IDLER ARM REPLACED 48222. LOWER BALL JOINTS.48222 RECALLED LEFT REAR AXLE LEAK.48222 OIL COOLER LINES REPLACED,48222. CHARGING SYSTEM FAILER REPLACED ALTERNATER 47577 REPLACED BATTERY 47577 FRNT BRAKES AND ROTORS 45631 FUEL SENDER UNIT39434 DRIVER SIDE DOOR PIN 39434 SES LIGHT ON OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACE AC COMPRESSOR 35338 CLEAN EGR VALVE 35338 AC COMPRESSOR 33196 51000 LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN AGAIN (DEALER REPLACED ORIGINAL BECAUSE OF RECALL) PUT JUNK BACK ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10069943

85,000 miles · Aug 25, 2003
Suspension

PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE GOING DOWN DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED. WHEEL WAS THEN COMPLETELY UNSTABLE, VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AS IT WAS TOO RISKY TO ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO RESIDENCE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033461

59,598 miles · Apr 17, 2003
Suspension

WHILE GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNED THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE IN THE CONTROL ARMS. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO FOUND INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINT, RECALL NUMBER 01V-200000, SHOULD ALSO COVER THE WEAR OF THE LOWER BALL J…

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WHILE GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNED THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE IN THE CONTROL ARMS. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO FOUND INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINT, RECALL NUMBER 01V-200000, SHOULD ALSO COVER THE WEAR OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. *NLM *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016108

60,000 miles · Mar 12, 2003
Suspension

THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT BALL JOINTS HAD SEPARATED AND THE FRONT AXLE WAS READY TO FALL OFF. (BOTH SIDES).*JB *TS

NHTSA ODI #10011508

57,698 miles · Feb 1, 2003
Suspension

MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS USED WITH 33,000 MILES, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH HAS PAID FOR MANY REPAIRS TO DATE,MARCH OF 2002 MY VEHICLE HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER THIS WARRANTY. I HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED PRIVATE GARAGE AND THEY NOTED LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR, I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE R…

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MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS USED WITH 33,000 MILES, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH HAS PAID FOR MANY REPAIRS TO DATE,MARCH OF 2002 MY VEHICLE HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER THIS WARRANTY. I HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED PRIVATE GARAGE AND THEY NOTED LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR, I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE REPLACED AT AN OLDS DEALER THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE INCIDENT NUMBER 1-65943454 THEY NOTED CONTACTING DEALER AND WOULD REPAIR VEHICLE,AND SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I PURCHASED WOULD NOT COMPENSATE OTHER REPAIRS,I WANTED TO FILE COMPLAINT BECAUSE REPLACEMENT BALL JOINTS ONLY LASTED A YEAR AND THAT THESE WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE PARTS. TS

NHTSA ODI #10005088

Official recalls

2

03V117000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Mar 31, 2003

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 CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.

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 AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

01V200000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

Jun 28, 2001

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, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA94038 · Abs Braking System

Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.