1997 Oldsmobile BRAVADA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 89 complaints (10.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
Electrical System: 9; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Fuel System, Other: 4; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3
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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 56 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 32 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 14; 2002: 15; 2003: 32; 2004: 8; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10000853 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
WINDSHIED WIPERS EITHER WON'T WORK AT ALL OR STOP FAIL AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING. THIS CAUSING POOR VISIABITY. HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR AT OWNER EXPENSE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002968 · 2003-01-19 (January 19, 2003)
1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA LIST OF REPAIRS AND COMPLAINTS SINCE PURCHASE IN 2000 PURCHASED USED FROM LOCAL DEALER WITH 30,000 MILES. 1)35,120 MILES,COMPLAINED OF SHIMMY IN FRONT STEERING. SERVICE PERFORMED,BALANCE TIRES,DRAIN AND REFILL TRANSFER CASE. 2)33196 MILES, AC NOT BLOWING COLD AIR,SERVICE TEDT SYSTEM,FOUND LEAK ON BACK OF COMPRESOR, REPLACE COMPRESSOR. 3)35338 MILESSES LIGHT ON, SCANNED FOR CODES, BANK 1 SENSOR 2 OXYGEN SENSOR, REPLACE BANK 1 SENSOR 2. 4) 35,338 MILES,CHECK AC, TEST FOR LEAKS,LEAKING OUT SEAL BACK OF COMPRESSOR,REPL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005088 · 2003-02-01 (February 1, 2003)
MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS USED WITH 33,000 MILES, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH HAS PAID FOR MANY REPAIRS TO DATE,MARCH OF 2002 MY VEHICLE HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED UNDER THIS WARRANTY. I HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED PRIVATE GARAGE AND THEY NOTED LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR, I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE REPLACED AT AN OLDS DEALER THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE INCIDENT NUMBER 1-65943454 THEY NOTED CONTACTING DEALER AND WOULD REPAIR VEHICLE,AND SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I PURCHASED WOULD NOT COMPENSATE OTHER…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,698 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007472 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008171 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND FLICKER. ANYTIME THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROLS OR LUMBAR SWITCH'S ARE PRESSED THE FLASHING AND FLICKERING INCREASES AS WELL AS BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPPING. TESTED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE POWER SEATS, FLICKER STILL REMAINS AND VEHICLE STILL LOSES BATTERY VOLTAGE RANDOMLY. VEHICLE ALSO RESPONDS LIKE IT HAS A DEAD BATTERY EVERYTIME IT'S STARTED (REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW ONE AND HAD SAME PROBLEM).*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008224 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
TRANSFER CASE CRACKED, IT HAPPENED TWICE AND WILL GO OUT AGAIN IN 2 1/2 YEARS. IT COULD CAUSE ME TO WRECK AND HURT SOMEONE OR EVEN MYSELF.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011087 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
PREMATURE FAILURE OF CONNECTING ROD BEARING ON 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 4.3L V-6 ENGINE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011508 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT BALL JOINTS HAD SEPARATED AND THE FRONT AXLE WAS READY TO FALL OFF. (BOTH SIDES).*JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011508 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗03V117000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.
Consequence: IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 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 ↗