NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Oldsmobile Bravada Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 98 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Oldsmobile dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Oldsmobile Bravada owner complaints

Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada, describing incidents dated February 1, 1998 to October 28, 2013.

Most-cited components

Visibility/Wiper 31 complaints
Electrical System 19 complaints
Steering 12 complaints
Suspension 11 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Engine 8 complaints

Of the 98 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 98 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10672561 · Filed January 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGERS SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FLIPPED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED…
ODI #10640372 · Filed October 1, 2014
VEHICLE HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 3RD SHIFT 55-60 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD... VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. WITH NO LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, ECT... I WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND PULL OVER IN THE PITCH BLACK OF NIGHT. AFTER…
ODI #10611297 · Filed July 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

Read all 98 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ02-012: FRONT CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS
Closed March 7, 2003
- Recall 01V-200

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/LOWER CONTROL ARM

NHTSA #98V053000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported March 9, 1998 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 72 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 98006 · Owners notified January 22, 1998 · Vehicles built January 1, 1998 – January 31, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 98006.OWNER/DEALER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 1998.THESE VEHICLES WERE IN-TRANSIT OR VERY RECENTLY DELIVERED TO DEALERSHIPS.CUSTOMERS RECEIVING THESE VEHICLES BEFORE JANUARY 22, 1998, WERE CONTACTED BY THE SELLING DEALER TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE FOR THE SERVICE PROCEDURE.OWNERS WHO WERE NOT CONTACTED BY THEIR DEALER WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1022, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/BRAKE HOSE FRACTURE

NHTSA #97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported November 24, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 19,716 vehicles

Owners notified December 15, 1997 · Vehicles built April 1, 1997 – August 31, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 1997. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1998 Oldsmobile Bravada 4-DR. 4x4

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

98 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada.

Suspension

ODI #10672561

Incident: October 28, 2013 · Filed: January 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGERS SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FLIPPED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL CONDITION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES AS LISTED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V053000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Engine

ODI #10640372

Incident: June 13, 2006 · Filed: October 1, 2014

VEHICLE HAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 3RD SHIFT 55-60 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD... VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. WITH NO LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, ECT... I WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND PULL OVER IN THE PITCH BLACK OF NIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT WOULD START BACK UP AND ON I WOULD GO, PRAYING IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AT THE CURVES. AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS OF THIS AND NOBODY HAVING ANY ANSWERS, MY HUSBAND DISCOVERED IT IS A CONNECTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT GETS CORRODED AND HE HAS TO CLEAN IT. AS LONG AS WE CLEAN THE CORROSION OFF OF THE CONNECTOR ABOUT TWICE A YEAR, THE VEHICLE DOES FINE. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10611297

Incident: May 1, 2012 · Filed: July 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 42,000.

Steering; Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #10577030

Incident: August 31, 2001 · Filed: April 3, 2014

MY VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE PRIOR TO TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO DASH BOARD LIGHTING, NO POWER STEERING, NO ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF I TAPPED ON THE STEERING COLUMN THE POWER WOULD SOMETIMES COME BACK ON. I DO HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM 2001 WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION PROBLEM GOES BACK FURTHER THAT GM KNOWS. *TR

Seats

ODI #10544622

Fire

Incident: September 10, 2013 · Filed: September 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension; Equipment

ODI #10280129

Incident: July 28, 2009 · Filed: August 11, 2009

COMPLAINT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPLAINT: I OWN A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 20008, A YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER MY HUSBAND REPORTED A WHISTLING IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. NOW WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT I HEARD A WHISTLING IN THE LEFT BACK WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS COMING LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO A GENERAL RECALL ON THIS CAR FOR SUSPENSION AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM. BETWEEN THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND THIS SAFETY RECALL (ALTHOUGH MY VIN# WAS NOT IN IT. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE WHEEL COULD COME LOOSE AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I JUST TOOK THE CAR TODAY TO GMC DEALER IN HAZLET. THEY ARE GOING TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COSTING ME 48 - 90 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THIS IS A COMPLETE SAFETY ISSUE COMPLAINT AND ALL 1998 OLDMOBILE BRAVADA'S SHOULD BE RECALLED TO CHECK BUT OF THESE ITEMS OUT. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10248802

Incident: June 17, 2007 · Filed: November 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN JULY OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THE WHEELS WERE UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE LAST FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Exterior Lighting; Equipment

ODI #10186511

Incident: March 9, 2007 · Filed: March 29, 2007

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 OLDS BRAVADA. IT HAS BEEN AN OK CAR EXCEPT. THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. MY DEALER SAYS YOU HAVE TO SWITCH IT BACK AND FORTH FROM HEAT TO COOL IN THE DASH SOMEWHERE (MY QUESTION WAS, WHAT IS THE THERMOSTAT BUTTON FOR THEN???). ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION OR MOTOR AT 3000 RPMS CUTS OUT BAD AND JUMPS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU ARE IN THE PASSING ZONE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, THE DIMMER SWITCH DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO AND THE SIGNALS DO BUT NOT THE DIMMER?? *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10157197

Incident: May 9, 2006 · Filed: May 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE COOL OFF, HE RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING. FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE WIRES FOR THE MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED THE FUEL INJECTOR AND ALL THE WIRES BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/23/06. *JB

Visibility

ODI #10149330

Incident: January 8, 2006 · Filed: February 2, 2006

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

Other Oldsmobile Bravada model years

Check your 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada VIN

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