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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

Power Train complaints

9 reports
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71,000 miles · Jan 31, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING, HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING, AWD PROBLEMS, COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, FUEL PUMP, CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT PROBLEMS ARE JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES ON 96-99 GM BLAZERS, BRAVADA'S, & JIMMYS. THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. MOST PROBLEMS STARTING RI…

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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING, HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING, AWD PROBLEMS, COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, FUEL PUMP, CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT PROBLEMS ARE JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES ON 96-99 GM BLAZERS, BRAVADA'S, & JIMMYS. THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. MOST PROBLEMS STARTING RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. CAN'T BELIEVE GM IS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AT 71000 MILES AND DEALER SAYS THAT THEY KNOW THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ALSO PROBLEM (CODE 1870) BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149153

71,000 miles · Jan 31, 2006
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ALSO NO REVERSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149147

115,000 miles · May 25, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SKIPS IN LOWER GEARS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. "SERVICE NEEDED" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. DEALER INDICATES THAT DUE TO A MILLING ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION, CASING, TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON AT A MINIMUM COST OF $2500. CURRENT ODOMETER READING IS 120,000. I FEEL THE SUBCONTRACTO…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SKIPS IN LOWER GEARS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. "SERVICE NEEDED" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. DEALER INDICATES THAT DUE TO A MILLING ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION, CASING, TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON AT A MINIMUM COST OF $2500. CURRENT ODOMETER READING IS 120,000. I FEEL THE SUBCONTRACTOR FOR THE MILLED CASING SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT THEIR COST. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10073159

75,000 miles · Aug 17, 2003
Power Train

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND SOMETIMES A SOMEWHAT HARD ONE FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL YOU LET IT COOL DOWN. MANY BRAVADA OWNERS REPORTING SAME OCCURRENCES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033000

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Power Train

CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS HEARING A GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT A WEEK, AND IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. HE FINELY TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT AXLE BEARING WAS BROKEN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION SUPPORT BRACKET WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED , AND HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031295

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainSuspension

THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES WERE MAKING NOISE AND WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ALSO, THE IDLER ARM WAS WORN OUT AND THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT END TO BECOME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAD FOUR NEW TIRES. *YH

NHTSA ODI #566493

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Power TrainFire

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS FROM COMPRESSION FITTING ONTO AN EXHAUST PIPE SITAUTED IMMEIDATELY BELOW FITTING. THE LEAKING OF THE FLUID ONTO THE VERY HOT PIPE BECOMES MORE INTENSE WHEN THE AUTO IS STOPPED. CONTACTED OLDS HOT-LINE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS PROGRAM WITH THIS PART; HOWEVER, THEY DECLINED TO RECALL A…

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TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS FROM COMPRESSION FITTING ONTO AN EXHAUST PIPE SITAUTED IMMEIDATELY BELOW FITTING. THE LEAKING OF THE FLUID ONTO THE VERY HOT PIPE BECOMES MORE INTENSE WHEN THE AUTO IS STOPPED. CONTACTED OLDS HOT-LINE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS PROGRAM WITH THIS PART; HOWEVER, THEY DECLINED TO RECALL AUTO AND THEY DECLINED TO PAY FOR REPAIR. FURTGER, THEIR OWN DEALER REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE SUV FOR SAFETY INSPECTION. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPAIRED PART FOR US$127.50 IN PARTS INCIDENTALLY PURCHASED FROM THE PARTS DEPARTMENT OF THE OLDS DEALER THAT REFUASED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. DEALER ALSO REFUSED TO CONTACT OLDS SAFETY PERSONNEL SAYING THAT THEIR DEALER CONTRACT WITH GM MAKES IT ILLEGAL FOR THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT SAFETY DEFECTS ON BEHALF OF A CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736074

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Power TrainSuspension

THIS VEHICLE SHUDDERS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. PLEASE SEE BULLETIN # 99-04-21-005 (THIS IS ON YOUR WEBSITE) WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY CHANGED THE FLUID IN THE TRANSFER CASE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE HAVE CONTACTED…

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THIS VEHICLE SHUDDERS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. PLEASE SEE BULLETIN # 99-04-21-005 (THIS IS ON YOUR WEBSITE) WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY CHANGED THE FLUID IN THE TRANSFER CASE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE HAVE CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE, WITH NO RESULTS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. GM/ OLDSMOBILE REFUSES TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE MECHANIC AT PENCE OLDSMOBILE SUGGESTED THIS IS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720064

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.