2001 Oldsmobile Bravada: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1. Oldsmobile bravada with smartrak at 48,000 miles and good condition developed drivetrain binding / locking up over several months. 2. The problem started as a minor binding when backing out or in tight forward turns. Now drivetrain actually locks up in tight turning position. Have to play with forward/backward gears and wheel direction to allow movement. This has become a serious safety problem if merging onto or backing into a traffic lane. 3. Initial service at gm dealer was to flush and fill transfer case fluid, $140. Instructed to drive for a while to obtain improvement. After three weeks, condition has gotten worse. Am debating next step and service provider. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 oldsmobile bravada. When the contact would activate the headlights on the vehicle, the driver side brake light would not work. He would hear a clicking sound from the instrument panel and he changed the relay, but the issue was not remedied. The dealer has not been notified. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01v364000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). The current mileage was approximately 97,000 and failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 oldsmobile bravada. While driving approximately 2 mph, the entire lower control arm broke and caused the passenger side to drop to the ground. The contact has pictures of the failed lower control arm. He did not have the vehicle inspected to determine what caused the failure; however, the cv axle and lower control arm were replaced. He filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 60,000. Updated 01/23/08. *lj updated *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 oldsmobile bravada. The contact was involved in a crash with a deer. The following week he heard a squeaking, clunking, and humming noise while driving over 40 mph. A mechanic stated that there was failure with the upper ball joints. General motors stated that there was no recall and they would not repair the vehicle for free. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2007
“My wife drove to the store and when she left, there was no reverse gear. A stranger had to push it backwards so, she could get it home. The transmission sun shell gear was broken so the transmission had to be replaced. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2005
“Dt: the car is shuttering and will not go into reverse. When traveling uphill it sounded like the vehicle was losing a gear. The transmission malfunctioned. The truck was in missouri, forcing the consuemr to get a loaner to get back home. The truck has been to the dealership several times. The dealership replaced the fluid in the transfer case. The cause was the slip stick of the clutch plates in the transfer case clutch pad. The gear was stripped in the transmission. The dealership could not fix this until thursday. The car was unsafe. The consumer has talked to oldsmobile, and was waiting for them to call back.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2005
“Oldsmobile bravada has serious transfer case and transmition porblems. Non abuse failure of both items even with routine maintenance. Non abuse failure of the reverse gear in bravada transmition. This problem has been noted in our previous 1996 bravada and now in the 2001 bravada, both with 70,000 to 80,000 miles on vehicles.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2005
“1) right hand turn at intersection; 2) loud pop, engine reved, transmissionwill not shift. No 4th gear, no reverse gear 3) transmission has to be replaced $1300++; was running prefectly, is well maintained only 58300 miles. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
“The awd service light came on while driving, this condition prevented the all wheel drive from engaging while driving up snowy incline. The air bag light remained illuminated. The dealer was notified. The dealer informed the consumer that was not covered under a recall. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2004
“The front door hinge pins have rusted, causing the door to misalign. The hinge pins have to be replaced. There is a danger of the door falling off, and/or damage to the door and/or damage to the lock/catch. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH CARRIER. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002, WITH MAILINGS TO OWNERS OF 2000 AND EARLY 2001 VEHICLES. THE SECOND MAILING PHASE WILL BE TO REMAINING 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES. 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 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 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada. The most complained-about area is power train (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch. 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.