1998 Oldsmobile Bravada: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 98 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2013
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2013
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2012
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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”Owner report · Equipment · Mar 2007
“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”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2006
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2006
“Transmission problems, windshield wipers not working, headlights not working, awd problems, cooling system problems, fuel pump, control arm & ball joint problems are just some of the major safety issues on 96-99 gm blazers, bravada's, & jimmys. These problems should really be looked into and recalled. Most problems starting right after warranty expired. Can't believe gm is getting away with this. Transmission went bad at 71000 miles and dealer says that they know there was a defect with the transmissions also problem (code 1870) but they will not cover the repair. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2006
“Dt: the contact states the windshield wipers will not work properly. This happens intermittently. This started last winter. Oldsmobile told the contact that warranty expired. He cited a recall. *ak *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2005
“I have had numerous problems with my 1998 olds bravada. First the blinker sound won't shut off. When the ac is on for more than 25 minutes the motor gets really loud and the speedometer needle starts jumping. Finally my brakes get sticky when it's hot outside then the ABS light comes on and it feels as if the brakes aren't going to engage and the speedometer needle starts going crazy again. This is something that shuts off and starts all over again every time I start the vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2005
“Dt: 1998 oldsmobile bravado, while driving in the rain windshield wipers stopped. Took tvehicle to the dealer ,where consumer bought the car, and they didn't know what caused this, but it could be the module and they could replace the module at the cost, of $200.00. Did not have the work done because they could not duplicate the problem. This has not happened in the last 13 months and now it is starting up again. Talked to the manufacturer, and they could not help consumer. They checked to see if there was any recalls, and there were none.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 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 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?
NHTSA has 98 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada. The most complained-about area is visibility (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. 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.