NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
98 reports160,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGERS SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FLIPPED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL CONDITION. A POLICE REPOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGERS SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FLIPPED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL CONDITION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES AS LISTED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V053000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10672561
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
23,117 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control
MY VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE PRIOR TO TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING, NO POWER STEERING, NO ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF I TAPPED ON THE STEERING COLUMN THE POWER WOULD SOMETIMES COME BACK ON. I DO HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM 2001 WHEN TH…
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MY VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE PRIOR TO TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING, NO POWER STEERING, NO ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF I TAPPED ON THE STEERING COLUMN THE POWER WOULD SOMETIMES COME BACK ON. I DO HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM 2001 WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION PROBLEM GOES BACK FURTHER THAT GM KNOWS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577030
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2013
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10544622
91,656 miles · Aug 11, 2009
Suspension
COMPLAINT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPLAINT: I OWN A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 20008, A YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER MY HUSBAND REPORTED A WHISTLING IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. NOW WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT I HEARD A WHISTLING IN THE LEFT BACK WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC AND STA…
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COMPLAINT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPLAINT: I OWN A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 20008, A YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER MY HUSBAND REPORTED A WHISTLING IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. NOW WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT I HEARD A WHISTLING IN THE LEFT BACK WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS COMING LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO A GENERAL RECALL ON THIS CAR FOR SUSPENSION AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM. BETWEEN THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND THIS SAFETY RECALL (ALTHOUGH MY VIN# WAS NOT IN IT. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE WHEEL COULD COME LOOSE AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I JUST TOOK THE CAR TODAY TO GMC DEALER IN HAZLET. THEY ARE GOING TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COSTING ME 48 - 90 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THIS IS A COMPLETE SAFETY ISSUE COMPLAINT AND ALL 1998 OLDMOBILE BRAVADA'S SHOULD BE RECALLED TO CHECK BUT OF THESE ITEMS OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280129
104,000 miles · Nov 14, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN JULY OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THE WHEELS WERE UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE LAST FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10248802
35 miles · Mar 29, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting
I PURCHASED A USED 1998 OLDS BRAVADA. IT HAS BEEN AN OK CAR EXCEPT. THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. MY DEALER SAYS YOU HAVE TO SWITCH IT BACK AND FORTH FROM HEAT TO COOL IN THE DASH SOMEWHERE (MY QUESTION WAS, WHAT IS THE THERMOSTAT BUTTON FOR THEN???). ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION OR MOTOR AT 3000 RPMS CUTS OUT BAD …
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I PURCHASED A USED 1998 OLDS BRAVADA. IT HAS BEEN AN OK CAR EXCEPT. THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. MY DEALER SAYS YOU HAVE TO SWITCH IT BACK AND FORTH FROM HEAT TO COOL IN THE DASH SOMEWHERE (MY QUESTION WAS, WHAT IS THE THERMOSTAT BUTTON FOR THEN???). ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION OR MOTOR AT 3000 RPMS CUTS OUT BAD AND JUMPS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU ARE IN THE PASSING ZONE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, THE DIMMER SWITCH DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO AND THE SIGNALS DO BUT NOT THE DIMMER?? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186511
58,000 miles · May 10, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE COOL OFF, HE RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING. FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE WIRES FOR THE MAIN COMP…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE COOL OFF, HE RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING. FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE WIRES FOR THE MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED THE FUEL INJECTOR AND ALL THE WIRES BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/23/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157197
71,000 miles · Feb 2, 2006
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10149330