2003 Oldsmobile Bravada: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle causing significant damage to the front end. During the crash, the airbags did not deploy. The driver suffered an injured right knee and the front passenger suffered a head and neck injury. Both required medical attention. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed but the cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000. Updated 03/16/16*lj *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“When I turned the key to start the car, my air bags deployed. I reported this to gm. Gm refused to send anyone down to inspect the bravada to see what made the air bags deployed. Gm stated it would cost too much money to find out. I want to prevent anyone from getting killed. I or my passenger or both would have been killed if this had happened while I had been driving. This needs to be investigated. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“When I turned the key to start the bravada, both air bags deployed at the same time. Driver air bag struck me on the right side of my face causing burning sensation and redness. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that the transmission would slip when shifting gears and the vehicle hesitated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle then was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel filter and the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2013
“Recall was issued and a letter was sent to me, we havent driven the suv for the past 18 months because of the gasoline smell when were sitting in it, and it was leaking gas, would have gotten it fixed but cant afford it.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, all of the lights on the instrument panel failed. After four minutes, several lights began to illuminate but not all. The failure recurred numerous times the in a 45 minute time span. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,232.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to work properly intermittently. The contact mentioned that while parked, the speedometer read 120 mph. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. While driving at night the head-lights failed without warning. After restarting the vehicle and manipulating the head-light switch the head-lamps functioned properly. A technician from the dealer replaced the automatic headlight relay at an expense of $60.00 . The failure mileage was 100000. The current mileage was 103000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2009
“The speedometer quit registering properly (sticky, showing 25mph when at standstill) and the oil pressure gauge pegged to the right. It has been doing this sporadically ever since (still to this day) with both the speedometer and oil gauge. You never know how fast (or slow) you are going and you fear the engine is about to blow because cannot know what the actual oil pressure reading is. As of today the actual mileage is only 57661. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. While filling up the vehicle with fuel, the contact began to smell gas. He drove home and smelled gas inside of the passenger compartment. The dealer discovered a crack on top of the fuel tank. The current mileage is 86,150 and failure mileage was 86,148. Updated 10/16/08 *bf updated 10/20/08.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE AND FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 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 1-800-442-8006.
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 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights. 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.