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1998 Oldsmobile Bravada

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 58.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 59 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

19 reports
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86,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

VEHICLE HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 3RD SHIFT 55-60 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD... VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. WITH NO LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, ECT... I WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND PULL OVER IN THE PITCH BLACK OF NIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT WOULD START…

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VEHICLE HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 3RD SHIFT 55-60 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD... VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. WITH NO LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, ECT... I WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND PULL OVER IN THE PITCH BLACK OF NIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT WOULD START BACK UP AND ON I WOULD GO, PRAYING IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AT THE CURVES. AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS OF THIS AND NOBODY HAVING ANY ANSWERS, MY HUSBAND DISCOVERED IT IS A CONNECTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GETS CORRODED AND HE HAS TO CLEAN IT. AS LONG AS WE CLEAN THE CORROSION OFF OF THE CONNECTOR ABOUT TWICE A YEAR, THE VEHICLE DOES FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640372

40,000 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10611297

91,400 miles · Aug 16, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 OLDS BRAVADA. FIRST THE BLINKER SOUND WON'T SHUT OFF. WHEN THE AC IS ON FOR MORE THAN 25 MINUTES THE MOTOR GETS REALLY LOUD AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTS JUMPING. FINALLY MY BRAKES GET STICKY WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE THEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES AREN'T GOING…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 OLDS BRAVADA. FIRST THE BLINKER SOUND WON'T SHUT OFF. WHEN THE AC IS ON FOR MORE THAN 25 MINUTES THE MOTOR GETS REALLY LOUD AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTS JUMPING. FINALLY MY BRAKES GET STICKY WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE THEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES AREN'T GOING TO ENGAGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTS GOING CRAZY AGAIN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHUTS OFF AND STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10133066

23,000 miles · Oct 28, 2002
Electrical System

THE DASH GUAGES AND THE LIGHTS FLASHED ON/OFF THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD. AT 33000K MILES THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGH AND STARTING IN SECOND GEAR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION HAD …

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THE DASH GUAGES AND THE LIGHTS FLASHED ON/OFF THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD. AT 33000K MILES THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGH AND STARTING IN SECOND GEAR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION HAD GONE BAD AGAIN. *SCC *JG

NHTSA ODI #568160

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2002
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED KEY TO GET STUCK IN IGNITION, ALSO CAUSSED GAUGE CLUSTER TO SHUT OFF. VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE BUT WITHOUT SPEEDOMETER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764136

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE, AND WAS THEN UNABLE TO TURN KEY OR TAKE IT BACK OUT OF IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED.*YH

NHTSA ODI #8008736

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Electrical System

BATTERY POSITIVE POST FELL COMPLETELY OUT OF BATTERY

NHTSA ODI #9005989

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2001
Electrical System

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754572

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipment

TOTAL ELECTRICAL LOSS CAUSING ENGINE SHUTDOWN. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AC ON AND THE RADIO ON DURING THE DAY, WITHIN A 3 MILE TRIP WE EXPERIANCED TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE 2 TIMES. THE IDIOT LIGHTS WILL FLASH, THE DASH BOARD NEEDLES WILL BOUNCE AND JUMP, AND THEN EVERYTHING SHUTSDOWN. ENGINE, BRAKES, POWER STEARING, LIGHTS EVE…

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TOTAL ELECTRICAL LOSS CAUSING ENGINE SHUTDOWN. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AC ON AND THE RADIO ON DURING THE DAY, WITHIN A 3 MILE TRIP WE EXPERIANCED TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE 2 TIMES. THE IDIOT LIGHTS WILL FLASH, THE DASH BOARD NEEDLES WILL BOUNCE AND JUMP, AND THEN EVERYTHING SHUTSDOWN. ENGINE, BRAKES, POWER STEARING, LIGHTS EVERYTHING. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. IF THIS HAD HAPPEND WHEN WE MADE THE LAST LEFT TURN, WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN NAILED BY A SEMI. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE BRAVADA FROM 2 DAYS WITHOUT FINDING ANYTHING. THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THE BATTERY IS FINE, THE TERMINALS ARE FINE, THEY TESTED THE COMPUTER AND THAT IS FINE. I REFUSE TO LET ANYONE DRIVE THIS UNTIL SOMETHING IS FOUND AND FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #751427

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND 6 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSIONS TROUBLE CODES ARE SET IN THE COMPUTER CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO A DEFAULT MODE THAT CAUSES IT NOT TO HAVE A FIRST GEAR OR HIGH GEAR. THE ELECTRICAL DASH GAUGES MOY OR MAY NOT WORK AT TIMES AND THE KEY MAY OR MAY NOT COME OUT OF THE SWITCH WHEN YOU TRY AND …

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THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND 6 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSIONS TROUBLE CODES ARE SET IN THE COMPUTER CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO A DEFAULT MODE THAT CAUSES IT NOT TO HAVE A FIRST GEAR OR HIGH GEAR. THE ELECTRICAL DASH GAUGES MOY OR MAY NOT WORK AT TIMES AND THE KEY MAY OR MAY NOT COME OUT OF THE SWITCH WHEN YOU TRY AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I CHECKED WITH A GM DEALER AND TALKED TO THE MECHANIC AND AS SOON AS I SHOWED HIM THE TROUBLE CODES AND THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY HAD CAME UP HE TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AS HE HAD SEEN IT ON MANY OTHER GM CARS BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #744342

Official recalls

2

98V053000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Mar 9, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

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

RQ02012 · Front Control Arm Ball Joints

Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Mar 7, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Additional source detail variants (7)

Suspension:front:control Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.