Oldsmobile / Bravada / 1998
1998 Oldsmobile Bravada problems
Owners have filed 139 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 23.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 18%.
Complaints139
Crashes7
Fires2
Injuries3
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 23.7% · 33
Electrical system 18.0% · 25
Suspension 10.1% · 14
Steering 8.6% · 12
Power train 7.2% · 10
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.0% · 7
Engine and engine cooling 5.0% · 7
Vehicle speed control 3.6% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 3 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Oldsmobile Bravada in this data, 1998 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2002 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 9 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 71,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Intermittent wiper circuit board faulty,wipers failed in rain causing me to drive off road onto muddy shoulder. No accident,damage or injury. Local olds dealer offered no remedy. Had new board installed by independant service tech. At personal expense. This failure is not uncommon,and poses horrific threat. Should be investigated with determination. I expect to be reimbursed. Thank you. A.O. Mccrohan. Visibility
Windshield wipers experienced the same defect as stated in recall 03v159000. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vehicle identification number*ak the windshield wipers were inoperable, they never worked on fast or high. *Ts there was an intermittent failure above 75 percent or three out of four tries. Gm refused repair. *Scc Visibility · reported at 43,000 miles
Windshield wipers stopped working during rainstorm. Had to pull off road due to lack of visibility. Wipers worked again after weather cleared and vehicle sat for an hour. Conversations with other Bravada owners indicate this is a prevalent problem. Are there any recalls for this problem? Is the accessory connection box problem related to this too? Visibility · reported at 117,320 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…