2003 Oldsmobile Bravada problems
NHTSA has received 37 complaints about the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, and 22% of them involve electrical system. After that come air bags (11%) and drivetrain & axles (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 37 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 56,000 miles 28 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 | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 28 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 56,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 5 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Oldsmobile Bravada with enough data (20 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle causing significant damage to the front end. During the crash, the airbags did not deploy. The driver suffered an injured right knee and the front passenger suffered a head and neck injury. Both required medical attention. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed but the cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired.
Tl* - the contact stated that she could smell something burning while driving the 2003 oldsmobile bravado. Once she parked the vehicle she saw billowing smoke coming from the front passenger seat. The contact immediately took the vehicle to a garage ,and the mechanic poured water on the seat and unplugged the wire under the seat. The contact took the vehicle to a GM dealer, and they diagnosed the problem as a faulty coil. The coil was replaced, but they refused to replace the seat cushion which was scorched.
When I turned the key to start the bravada, both air bags deployed at the same time. Driver air bag struck me on the right side of my face causing burning sensation and redness.
Tl* - the contact has a 2003 oldsmobile bravada and had to replace the brake rotors because they had pitted and corroded prematurely. The contact stated that he shouldn't have to replace the brake rotors so soon they should last approximately 100,000 miles. The contact has done research online and found on the NHTSA website similar vehicle that are having the same failure. Updated 2/27/2007 - the consumer contacted the manufacturer about being reimbursed for repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to work properly intermittently. The contact mentioned that while parked, the speedometer read 120 MPH. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.