Model year record

1997 OLDSMOBILE Bravada

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 158 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V117000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
312,715
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-31
Owners notified
2003-08-08

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. SUSTAINED LOADS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE AND DURATION ON THE BELT IN SEVERE CRASHES COULD FULLY DEPLOY THE BUCKLE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP, INTRODUCING A TOTAL OF 10 ADDITIONAL INCHES OF WEBBING INTO THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THE FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE USED IN THIS SYSTEM MAY ALLOW WEBBING TO DYNAMICALLY DISTRIBUTE BETWEEN THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT AS THE DRIVER'S POSITION CHANGES DURING A MULTIPLE ROLLOVER EVENT.

Safety risk

IF THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP FULLY DEPLOYS IN A SEVERE MULTIPLE ROLLOVER CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BELTED DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE PARTIAL OR EVEN COMPLETE EJECTION FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V200000

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
48,600
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-28
Owners notified
2001-09-04

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 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, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1097,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint983,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer7
Power train: driveline: differential unit596,210 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator458,824 mi
Engine and engine cooling4
Engine and engine cooling: engine471,000 mi
Fuel system, other4
Vehicle speed control481,957 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor440,872 mi
Air bags: frontal3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Interior lighting3
Power train350,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3
Structure: body: door3
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint357,698 mi
Unknown or other350,000 mi
Air bags2
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Power train: automatic transmission250,800 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)243,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly263,182 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Steering2
Suspension2
Suspension: front257,698 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module145,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting1115,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump158,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1156,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system189,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel/propulsion system1160,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines168,508 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other165,175 mi
Service brakes1160,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Structure: body: hood1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages149,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.