1996 Oldsmobile BRAVADA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
88,746 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 51 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 23.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 3 |
| Visibility:Rear Window Wiper/Washer:Motor | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 3; Visibility:Rear Window Wiper/Washer:Motor: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 40 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 12; 2001: 13; 2002: 7; 2003: 11; 2004: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009170 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED FLUID, WHICH CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167114 · 2006-08-30 (August 30, 2006)
ABS SENSORS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE PULSATION AND FAILURE. REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILED (STILL ON VEHICLE). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 88,746 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030397 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
FUEL PUMP - VEHICLE PRESENTED AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. HURSH REPLACED, $700+. WHEN WE GOT HOME, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ANOTHER GM DEALER CLOSER TO HOME LOOKED AT PROBLEM, DETERMINED THAT THE REASON IT WOULDN'T START WAS A WIRING HARNESS. HURSH WOULDN'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY AT THAT POINT, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. REPAIRED HARNESS FOR $140. THEY ALSO TESTED THE "REPLACED" PART AND DETERMINED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN THAT ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC'S PROFESSIONAL OPINION, HURSH NEVER BOTHERED TO TEST THE FUEL PUMP T…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031583 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE INCREASED WITH THE WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BOARD OR MOTOR. THE REAR WIPERS STILL WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL. *AK THE FRONT WIPERS WERE REPAIRED. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 565529 · 2002-04-29 (April 29, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULD STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, COIL AND MODULE, FUEL PUMP, CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION SWITCH, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUED, CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED VEHICLE IN FOR A 2002 BRAVADA. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 749925 · 2001-08-06 (August 6, 2001)
ABS SYSTEM - IN MY OPINION, THE ABS IS TOO SENSITIVE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ABS ACTIVATED CAUSING MY STOPPING DISTANCE TO INCREASE. TWICE ON BUMPY SURFACES WHILE HARD BRAKING I CAME CLOSE TO A COLLISION, AND IN MY 20 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE I KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THAT SCARE WITH VEHILCES NOT EQUIPED WITH ABS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ON BEST WAY TO DISCONECT, THEIR ONLY COMMENT WAS, "WE DON'T RECOMMEND DISCONNECTING THE ABS SYSTEM." YOU HAVE A CASE #EA94038 ON ABS. TRANSMISSION - ON 3 OCCASIONS I HAD MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND E…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 749925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 760708 · 2002-04-15 (April 15, 2002)
TRANSMISSION LINE COUPLINGS HAVE FAILED TWICE SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED. FIRST AT UNDER 30,000 MILES SECOND AT 32,684 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM IN JULY OF 2001, SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 4/04/2002. TOTAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COUPLINGS BOTH TIMES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 760708 at NHTSA ↗