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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

5 reports
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81,957 miles · Mar 16, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE VALVE IN THE THROTTLE BODY HAS A SHIELD RIVETED TO IT AND THE SHIELD STICKS TO THE THROTTLE BODY HOUSING. WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL IT CAUSES THE SHIELD TO BE PULL AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE VALVE,THIS CAUSES METAL FATIGUE AT THE RIVETS THE SHIELD THEN BRAKES LOOSE AND FALLS INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING THE E…

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THE THROTTLE VALVE IN THE THROTTLE BODY HAS A SHIELD RIVETED TO IT AND THE SHIELD STICKS TO THE THROTTLE BODY HOUSING. WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL IT CAUSES THE SHIELD TO BE PULL AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE VALVE,THIS CAUSES METAL FATIGUE AT THE RIVETS THE SHIELD THEN BRAKES LOOSE AND FALLS INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN AT ABOUT 4000 RPM AND VERY FAST DOWN THE ROAD. A NEW THROTTLE BODY FROM GM COST ABOUT$739.00 PLUS LABOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152891

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED AND JAMMED WHILE THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED UNWANTED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER PUT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, SECURED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE FAILED PART REMAINED IN THE CONSUMER'S POSSESSION. *PH THE RIVETS ON THE HALF MOON DEFL…

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THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED AND JAMMED WHILE THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED UNWANTED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER PUT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, SECURED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE FAILED PART REMAINED IN THE CONSUMER'S POSSESSION. *PH THE RIVETS ON THE HALF MOON DEFLECTOR ATTACHED TO THE LOWER THROTTLE BODY BUTTERFLY CRACKED AND CAUSED THE BUTTERFLY TO JAM OPEN, WHICH KEPT THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY METAL FATIGUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10029530

89,500 miles · May 12, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

THE METAL PLATE ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY CRACKED CAUSING MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA TO ACCELERATE CONTINUOUSLY TO A SPEED OF 100 MILES PER HOUR. THE MECHANIC DESCRIBED THE RESULT AS RED LINING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. BREAKING ONLY SLOWED THE CAR DOWN MOMENTARILY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018579

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015002

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1998
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed ControlCrash

LEASED VEHICLE; WHILE DRIVING AND AT INTERSECTION, WHEN STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ONE CAR ACCIDENT, FRONTAL IMPACT. DEALER CONTACTED AND GM CONTACTED, THEY CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IN SHOP. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AKTHE DASH BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD CO…

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LEASED VEHICLE; WHILE DRIVING AND AT INTERSECTION, WHEN STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ONE CAR ACCIDENT, FRONTAL IMPACT. DEALER CONTACTED AND GM CONTACTED, THEY CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IN SHOP. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AKTHE DASH BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD COME ON WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED, THE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A CENTER DIVIDER IN THE STREET * SB

NHTSA ODI #832501

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.