Model year record

1998 OLDSMOBILE Bravada

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 139 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V053000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
72
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-09
Owners notified
1998-01-22

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V218000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
19,716
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-24
Owners notified
1997-12-15

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 risk

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1460,000 mi
Suspension991,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer943,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash6
Power train: automatic transmission671,000 mi
Vehicle speed control523,117 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4
Electrical system: ignition3
Electrical system: ignition: switch323,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling335 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine396,000 mi
Exterior lighting371,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip391,400 mi
Steering323,117 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring3117,320 mi
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system286,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner235 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump271,000 mi
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly291,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft2
Suspension: front: control arm271,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator140,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine186,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment135 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system158,000 mi
Fuel system, other1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes123,117 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system148,000 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Suspension: front1104,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint182,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint182,000 mi
Tires157,000 mi
Tires: sidewall170,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Tires: tread/belt1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core149,053 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer140,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.