1997 Oldsmobile Bravada: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 104 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1997 oldsmobile bravada. Consumer writes in regards to voltage dropping while vehicle in stopped causing headlights to dim. *ld *js”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2018
“While driving my 1997 oldsmobile bravada the car shut off unexpectedly and continued to stall. I was able to pull off of the road and restart the car. I drove to my mechanics garage and he replaced the ignition harness. This has happed to me a total of ( 4) four times. The frequency has been about every 6 months to 1 year. The mileage of the vehicle was about 100,000 the first time this happened. The vehicle was purchased usedwith about 95,000 miles. Please help. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2010
“1997 oldsmobile bravada became completely engulfed in flames after the driver pulled over after seeing smoke. *kb ohio traffic crash report # 10-0002-89 updated letter 04/29/10 *bf”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile bravada. He stated that the right front end of the vehicle collapsed. The mechanic stated that the control arm could have caused the failure. There is a recall for the upper ball joints (NHTSA campaign #01v200000) however, the VIN was not included as part of the recall. The current and failure mileages were 125,000. Updated 02/08/08. *lj”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2007
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2006
“Temp gauge showed that enging was overheating. Followed procedures in owner's manual for overheating. Continued to overheat when driving longer distances. Took it to dealer who flushed out radiator/cooling system twice. 3rd time informed that coolant had turned to brown slush and entire radiator system needed replacing”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2004
“My 1997 oldsmobile bravada had a problem where the car would "die" anytime and then outomatically turn back on while driving on the highway. The same would happen during city driving but I wiould have to re-start the car. A very dangerous occurrence if I was in the middle of making a turn when the car would suddenly stop. It turned out to be the ignition switch that needed replacement and the dealer said that this was becoming a very common problem with this kind of automobile (bravada, blazer, jimmy). I was fortunate not to have had an accident before I turned into the dealership.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2004
“My 1997 olds bravada is experiencing a failure of the hazard and brake light, similar to the recall issued for the 2000-2001 models.*ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2004
“Dt: recalls 01i018000 and 01v200000 was issued but not on caller's car. Upper ball joint broke without warning and while driving. Dealer and manufacturer said callers vehicle was not included in recalls due to VIN. Manufacturer said if there was injury or death they would have done something.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2004
“At 80,000 miles I had to have the trasmission replaced. At the time I inquired about the ball joints recall. Dealership told me there was no such recall. 6 months later I took it in because of a clunking sound under the car. They told me I need a new drive shaft, transfer case and ball joints for a total of $3747.00! It's not safe to drive and I don't have that kind of money to fix it. Has been a lemon from the start.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE SEPARATED. GM IS PROVIDING A SPECIAL POLICY TO THESE OWNERS TO COVER UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IF THE CUSTOMER FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHASSIS LUBRICATION AND THE VEHICLE STILL REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DUE TO SEPARATION.
Remedy: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VHEICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, DUE TO SEPARATION, WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER DURING THIS PERIOD. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Bravada by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada. The most complained-about area is suspension (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.