1996 Oldsmobile BRAVADA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006903 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006903 at NHTSA ↗
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 10025115 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025115 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 10037603 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)
THE 1996 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA CONTAINS A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE THE POPPET VALVES TO LOCK-UP. THERE WAS A COMPLETELY REDESIGNED SYSTEM FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT HAVE POPPET VALVES. THIS REDESIGN IS THE SIGNIFICANT ADMISSION OF THIS BEING A DESIGN FLAW. THE RECORDS OF THE COMPANY NEED TO BE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. THE MECHANICS WHICH I HAVE INTERVIEWED VIEW THIS AS A SIGNIFICANT PERSISTENT AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037977 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
DRIVER STOPPED AT TOLL BOOTH TO PAY TOLL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM, AND DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE EXHAUST.DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041526 · 2003-10-09 (October 9, 2003)
THE VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND SAID THAT THE COOLANT BECAME MUDDY AND THAT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THE COOLANT GETS A LITTLE LOW. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A FLUSH AND FILL ON THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE DEALER WANTED TO PUT THE SAME COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR AND THIS WAS UNUSUAL TO ME. I HAD THEM PUT IN PRESTON AND HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041526 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V200000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Reported: 2001-06-28 (June 28, 2001)
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.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V234000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1996-11-14 (November 14, 1996)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗