1998 Oldsmobile BRAVADA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
85 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 85 complaints (16.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.5% |
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:Motor | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 9 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 9; Suspension: 8; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 46 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 | 17 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 17; 2001: 7; 2002: 11; 2003: 16; 2004: 16; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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 10004139 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
THE WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN OPERATION. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER DURING A RAIN STORM. RECALL 98V150001 WAS ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL VEHICLES, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN#. *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018724 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA WITH AWD SMARTRACK WEAR AT A VERY ACCELERATED RATE. THEY, ALONG WITH THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT APPROX 86000 MILES WITH ALL GM PARTS, AND NOW AT 93000 MILES NEED REPLACING AGAIN. THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED, AND THE FRONT END HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES, ALL BY A GM DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD OR FOR PLOWING. HAVING SPOKE TO SEVERAL OTHER BRAVADA OWNERS, I AM FINDING THIS TO BE A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM. THESE COMPONENTS ARE …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019018 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
WIPER MOTOR FAILURE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. ALSO, WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER NOT WORKING DUE TO RUST CLOGGING THE HEATER CORE ALSO CAUSING MOTOR TO OVERHEAT AND STALL IN THE SUMMER. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 49,053 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019549 · 2004-10-27 (October 27, 2004)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *JB WIPER MOTOR FAILED DUE TO A CRACKED WELD ON THE MOTOR. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021463 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
INTERNAL PIECE (PART NUMBER?) OF THE THROTTLE BODY (21247) ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE PLATE (21465) THAT IS HELD IN BY (2) RIVETS. THE 2 RIVETS FAILED CAUSING WHATEVER WAS THERE TO GET SUCKED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I HAVE THE OLD PART WITH THE BROKEN RIVETS. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY FOREIGN OBJECT. THE TOTAL FOR THE REPAIR = $1360.00. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 74,285 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024325 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES CUTTING OFF WHILE ENGAGED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027011 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029697 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE PULSE WINDSHIELD DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT HAD BEEN RECALLED BY GM. PH *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 27,031 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029697 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.
97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1997-11-24 (November 24, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V053000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 1998-03-09 (March 9, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗