2002 Oldsmobile BRAVADA: complaints, problems and recalls

2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA, LOOSES POWER AND SHUTS DOWN. FIRST OCCURANCE HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 3, 2002. THE SECOND OCCURANCE HAPPENED DECEMBER 12, 2002. THE FIRST OCCURANCE HAPPENED AT 68 MPH IN THE PASSING LANE OF INTERSTATE 90 AND 94. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT ITSHELF DOWN. THE SECOND OCCURANCE HAPPENED AT 25 MPH ON THE CITY STREETS OF SPARTA. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT IT SHELF DOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. 16,721 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000609 at NHTSA ↗

ON 12/11/02, I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND WAS TRAVELING IN THE PASSING LANE GOING AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO 30 MPH AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED : SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACT ONSTAR DISPLAYED ALSO. I, SOMEHOW, MERGED TO THE RIGHT LANE OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND AT THIS TIME, MY BRAKES WERE STILL TO THE FLOOR AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS CONTINUING TO DECLINE. STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD, B…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000814 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT BUMPER DESIGN IS DANGEROUS. GM INDICATED TO ME THAT THE CLEARANCE OF THE TRUCK'S PLASTIC BUMPER IS EIGHT INCHES. BUMPER FELL OFF BACKING OUT OF 6-8" OF SNOW ON DRIVEWAY SURFACE. DANGEROUS DRIVING ON WINTER ROADS WITH LOW FRONT BUMPER CLEARANCE. OTHER: TRANSMISSION VIBRATION. EVIDENT WHEN VEHICLE PUCHASED ON 8/29/02. AWD LIGHT APPEARED ON AND OFF BEGAN DEC. 25, 2002. DEALER SAID AWD LIGHT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED ON JANUARY 7, 2003.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,410 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000861 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER FEELS THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE ON THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN THE SNOW THE VEHCILES BACK END STARTS TO SPIN. ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING UP A HILL, THE REAR WHEELS SLIP. *JG *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001475 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THEN VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL A HOUR. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002366 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BUMPER. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE PULLING OUT OF HER DRIVE WAY THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WITH OUT THE VEHICLE IMPACTING ANY THING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DESIGN AND BUILD ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS RULES AND THAT THEY DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING THEY SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002432 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT APPROX 40 MPH MY 2002 OLDS BRAVADA COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE MOTOR QUIT AND I LOST ALL POWER AND ELECTRICAL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE FOR APPROX 35 MINUTES. AFTER THIS 35 MIN THE ENGINE DID START AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS TOLD THE PCM HAD SHORTED OUT AND IT WAS REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON A BU…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,370 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002830 at NHTSA ↗

GOING ABOUT 50 MPH ON INTERSTATE WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER. HAD MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES, INCLUDING ABS AND SERVICE BRAKES. PULLED OFF ON EXIT RAMP AND STOPPED ON GRASS COMPLETELY OFF TRAVEL LANE. TRIED TO RESTART ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. BEFORE I COULD TAKE OTHER ACTION, I WAS HIT IN THE LEFT REAR BY ANOTHER CAR, WHICH PUSHED MY VEHICLE ABOUT 50 FEET BACK INTO THE TRAVEL LANE. DAMAGE TO REAR QUARTER PANEL, BUMPER, AND TAILGATE. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER WAS ABLE TO START ON FIRST ATTEMPT. NO PRO…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,910 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002978 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-04-12 (April 12, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS MAY FRACTURE. THIS FRACTURE COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.

Consequence: A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN BY TELEPHONE ON APRIL 4, 2001. THE FOLLOWUP LETTER TO CONSUMERS WAS MAILED MAY 3, 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Reported: 2002-08-23 (August 23, 2002)

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FUEL FILTER FITTING CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, A NO-START CONDITION WOULD RESULT AND FUEL WOULD BE PUMPED OUT THE FUEL FILTER ONTO THE GROUND.

Consequence: IF THE FITTING BECOMES DISCONNECTED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY AND CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE FROM A DISCONNECTED FUEL FILTER FITTING COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT RETAINERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020. GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)

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.

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

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.

Reported: 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)

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.

Consequence: THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

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.

Reported: 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION" AND NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION DURING VEHICLE START-UP IN WHICH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT PROPERLY POWER UP, RESULTING IN MOST OF THE DISPLAYS, TELLTALE LIGHTS, AND FUNCTIONS (EXCEPT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BACKLIGHTING) BEING INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN 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 1-800-442-6537.

Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)

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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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.

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

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.

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

Reported: 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)

CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." ONE OF THE TWO SENSORS IN THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTORS COULD BE INOPERATIVE. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL LOCK WHEN THE BELT WEBBING IS EXTRACTED DURING A CRASH; HOWEVER, THE MECHANISM THAT LOCKS THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATES QUICKLY, SUCH AS HEAVY BRAKING, MAY NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED.

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Reported: 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)

SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AIR SUSPENSION (ECAS) HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ECAS MAY PRODUCE A BRIEF ELECTRICAL SPIKE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING. THIS ELECTRICAL SPIKE CAN DISRUPT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.

Consequence: IF THE SPIKE DAMAGES THE PCM, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESTART. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 19, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Reported: 2004-11-01 (November 1, 2004)

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.

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.