2002 Oldsmobile Bravada problems
NHTSA has received 337 complaints about the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, and 15% of them involve electrical system. After that come engine (15%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 337 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 15% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 24 and 12
- Injuries and deaths
- 24 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 43,000 miles 166 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 46 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 30 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 27 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 20 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 13 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 6 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 7 |
What the data shows
Among the 166 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 43,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 35,000 miles (24 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 24 complaints mention a crash; 12 complaints mention a fire; 24 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Oldsmobile Bravada with enough data (226 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 10 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The 2002 olds bravda driver heated seat burned through the leather lap seat. For couple of months you could smell wires burning. And your left upper leg felt like it was getting burnt.
While driving had to swirl to avoid hitting another vehicle, and it went into a ditch. At such time neither passenger's or driver's airbag deployed. Back rest flew forward. Both driver and passenger sustained some injuries. Consumer was traveling about 50 MPH.
The 4wd stopped operating during inclement weather and caused the vehicle to fish-tail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five times for this problem. The mechanic informed the consumer that there was no remedy for this problem. The vehicle had the tendency to spin wheels/fishtail and would slide uncontrollably. The dealer informed the consumer that there was a problem with the all wheel drive and that when the fix is found, there may still be a posiibility that the problem will return.
Door blew open, 37 MPH wind gust, bent door post at upper and lower hinges. Both doors at open position flex door post. Obvious factory defect. Door post not stiff enough. Repair does not fix problem. Doors will fail in future!