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

What owners actually said

104 reports

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2003

Power Train

THERE WAS A BURNED GREASE ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SEAL LEAKED FLUID. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015001

40,872 miles · Mar 31, 2003

Visibility

WIPERS ARE INOPERATIVE WHEN IT RAINS, WIPER DELAY BOARD FAULTY AT 40872 MILES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013734

58,000 miles · Mar 31, 2003

Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER PROPERLY, SHOWS 1/2 TANK WHEN EMPTY, MILES TO EMPTY READOUT WRONG, FUEL SENDER WENT BAD AT 58000 MILES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013733

58,824 miles · Mar 31, 2003

Electrical System

ALTERNATOR BLEW OUT AT 58524 MILES, NEEDED TO REPLACE. THIS IS WAY TOO SOON FOR AN ALTERNATOR TO GO OUT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013732

71,724 miles · Mar 31, 2003

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 72000 MILES, COST ME $2400 TO GET A NEW ONE INSTALLED. I BABIED THIS CAR FROM THE MOMENT I BOUGHT IT OFF THE LOT AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP, ONLY 32000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013731

43,000 miles · Mar 26, 2003

Power Train

THE VEHICLES FOUR WHEEL DRIVE PULLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10012500

71,000 miles · Mar 26, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

PREMATURE FAILURE OF CONNECTING ROD BEARING ON 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 4.3L V-6 ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011087

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

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2003

Power Train

TRANSFER CASE CRACKED, IT HAPPENED TWICE AND WILL GO OUT AGAIN IN 2 1/2 YEARS. IT COULD CAUSE ME TO WRECK AND HURT SOMEONE OR EVEN MYSELF.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008224

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2003

Electrical System

INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND FLICKER. ANYTIME THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROLS OR LUMBAR SWITCH'S ARE PRESSED THE FLASHING AND FLICKERING INCREASES AS WELL AS BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPPING. TESTED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE POWER SEATS, FLICKER STILL REMAINS AND VEHICLE STILL LOSES BATTERY VOLTAGE RANDOMLY. VEHICLE ALSO RESPONDS LI…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10008171

Official recalls

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

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.