1999 Oldsmobile Bravada

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO THE PARK POSITION TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BRAKE FLUID WAS DISPENSED INTO THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED A FRACTURED BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BRAKES, REPLACED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

ON 11 APR 2005, I PURCHASED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA FROM A NH DEALER, WITH APPROX. 74000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN ONE WEEK, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FOR A BAD WATER PUMP, AND DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH. DURING THE WEEK OF 21 APRIL, I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAD A NH STATE INSPECTION STICKER, BUT IT HAS YET TO PASS A MA STATE INSPECTION. THE AIR INJECTION PUMP THAT ASSISTS IN THE AIR/FUEL MIX HAS BEEN UPDATED BY GM, BUT THEIR "UPDATE" ALLOWS THEM TO CALL IT SOMETHING OTHER THAN A RECALL, SO, IT WOULD COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $400-500. FOR THIS "UPDATE". IN SEP OF 2005, I NOTICED A GRADUALLY GROWING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS WIPED OUT. THE SAFETY ISSUES ALONE WERE EXHAUSTIVE. THE FOLLOWING HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND WERE DONE, TO THE COST OF $1700.: PITMAN ARM / IDLER ARM / UPPER, LOWER BALL JOINTS / CV JOINTS,AXLES,BOOTS/ ENTIRE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES / FRONT BRAKES (ROTORS,PADS,CALIPERS) / 4 TIRES CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR IS SAGGING DUE TO POOR DOOR PINS AND BUSHINGS. MAACO WANTS $1200. TO REPLACE THE HINGES, PINS, AND BUSHINGS, AND REPAIR/REPLACE THE STRIKER PLATE AND SURROUNDING AREA. THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL SOUNDS CONSTANTLY EVEN WITHOUT USING THE SIGNAL, AND GOES AWAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE (!?) THE KEY FREQUENTLY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. LAST MONTH YET ANOTHER ALTERNATOR HAD TO GO IN AS THE OTHER FAILED. I HAD THIS BACK IN THE SHOP YESTERDAY 01FEB06 FOR A BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END, AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT HE CALLED GM. THEY CONFIRMED THERE IS A DEFECTIVE FRONT TORSION BAR IN THESE BLAZER-TYPE VEHICLES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $250. IT NEVER ENDS. I AM TRULY EXHAUSTED BOTH MENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN. THE DEALER WON'T TAKE IT BACK, WILL NOT ASSIST, AND GM DOES NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH ME. THEY WON'T EVEN TAKE MY CALL. I TRULY FEAR FOR MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH, REAR WHEELS FELT AS IF THEY LOCKED, VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL OR SWERVE IN REAR END. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER THE MEDIAN AND HIT AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. NEITHER DRIVERS SIDE NOR PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ROADS WERE WET AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR TIRE HIT A WATER POCKET, CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLES BRAKE OR AWD SYSTEM FAILED ALSO DUE TO THE SKID MARKS, THERE WERE FOUR INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC