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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

98 reports
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 · Nov 1, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE BRAKES HAVE NOT OPERATED OR OPERATED AT A VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT. IT APPEARS TO BE AT LOW SPEED WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR OUT. I USUALLY BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I STOP WITH NO PROBLEM. THEN DRIVE LESS THAN ONE BLOCK ON A SIDE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND…

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APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE BRAKES HAVE NOT OPERATED OR OPERATED AT A VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT. IT APPEARS TO BE AT LOW SPEED WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR OUT. I USUALLY BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I STOP WITH NO PROBLEM. THEN DRIVE LESS THAN ONE BLOCK ON A SIDE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THEY BARELY ENGAGE. I PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT IT DOES NOTHING. I TRY TO GIVE MYSELF AS MUCH ASSURED DISTANCE AS POSSIBLE AND HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY I HAVE NOT HIT ANYONE YET. I HAVE COME "REAL " CLOSE AND HAVE HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS CARS.. NO WARNING LIGHTS GO OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO RELIABLE IN JANUARY 1999, OCTOBER 20, 2000. OLDS HOT LINE REQUESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND I TOOK IT TO EARL OLDSMOBILE IN BROOKPARK, OHIO. NEITHER COULD DUPICATE THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO FIX. WHEN I CALLED THE OLDSMOBILE HELP LINE(1-800-442-6537 TRACKING # C02031344) THEY REPEATED THE SAME STATEMENT AND REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANYONE ELSES PHONE# AT OLDSMOBILE OR GENERAL MOTORS. EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REGARD FOR SAFETY OR HUMAN LIFE. WHEN I ASKED JIM OBER OF RELIABLE OLDSMOBILE " WHAT IF I KILL A SMALL CHILD WHO STEPS IN FRONT OF ME AND I CAN NOT STOP." HIS RESPONSE WAS A FLIPPANT " PEOPLE DIE IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS ALL THE TIME." I AM NOT THAT CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY CAR , OR SOMEONE ELSES CAR. THIS PROBLEM CURRENTLY HAPPENS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS AND I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH 2 CARS HITTING EACH OTHER.. MY #1 FEAR IS IF A PEDESTRIAN STEPS IN FRONT OF ME. PLEASE HELP I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING I CAN THINK OF. IT DOES NOT APPEAR LIKE ANYONE AT OLDSBMOBILE CARES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735582

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING INTO THE SETTING SUN IN A PARKING LOT I STRUCK A3 INCH CURBING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. A LARGE FLAG POLE WAS SLIGHTLY SCRAPED WITH THE LEFT FENDER CAUSING SOME MINOR DAMAGE. THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAUSING THE TIE ROD END TO SNAP AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. THE CAR TR…

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WHILE DRIVING INTO THE SETTING SUN IN A PARKING LOT I STRUCK A3 INCH CURBING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. A LARGE FLAG POLE WAS SLIGHTLY SCRAPED WITH THE LEFT FENDER CAUSING SOME MINOR DAMAGE. THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAUSING THE TIE ROD END TO SNAP AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. THE CAR TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 CAR LENGTHS BEFORE STOPPING WITHOUT USE OF THE BRAKES. THE ONLY SKID MARKS WERE FROM THE NOW SIDEWAYS TIRE AND FROM THE DRAGGING UNDERCARRIGE BOLTS. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS MINOR IMPACT SHOULD HAVE CUASED THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE. THE RIVETS CONNECTING THE BALL JOINTS HAD SHEARED OFF. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED IN ANY WAY. IF THIS HAD OCCURED AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE I WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. OUR OLDS DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "NOT THEIR PROBLEM".

NHTSA ODI #732057

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID A CHAFFED WIRE CAUSED THE COMPUTER FUSE TO BLOW. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURANCE IN 6 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI #731464

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY RIGHT REAR FELL APART, REQUIRES ENTIRE NEW ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ODI #729843

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Tires

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE. LEFT REAR TIRE HAD EXPLODED, AND TREAD SEPARATED. TIRE IS A MICHELIN, P23570 R1. #XW4. *AK

NHTSA ODI #868234

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING FAILED, AND POWER BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PARK SAFELY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THE COMPUTER FUZE WAS BLOWN.

NHTSA ODI #728598

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2000
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

LOST ALL GUAGES AFTER ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON THEN WENT OUT; ALSO LOST POWER, ENGINE RPM'S SHOT UP TO 3000 FROM NORMAL 2000

NHTSA ODI #724903

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING FROM THE GAS STATION DRIVER NOTICED DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER THAT, KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859327

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.