VehicleVerdict

1996 Oldsmobile Bravada problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada sits mid-pack among Bravada years: 104 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 82, with 5 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (35% of the total).

104

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Bravada years?

Bravada NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted337 complaints1991: 61 complaints1992: 65 complaints1993: 54 complaints1994: 116 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 104 complaints1997: 158 complaints1998: 139 complaints1999: 99 complaints2000: 104 complaints2001: 47 complaints2002: 337 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 23 complaints
Bravada NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bravada years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3635%
Visibility & Wipers1615%
Engine1212%
Suspension1010%
Electrical System99%
Fuel System66%
Transmission44%
Tires & Wheels33%
Body & Structure33%
Seat Belts11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Other11%
Airbags11%
Seats11%

Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

03V159000Visibility & WipersApril 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 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.

01I018000SuspensionDecember 4, 2001

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1996-1997 4-WHEEL DRIVE CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS THAT HAVE SEPARATED. GM IS PROVIDING A SPECIAL POLICY TO THESE OWNERS TO COVER UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT IF THE CUSTOMER FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CHASSIS LUBRICATION AND THE VEHICLE STILL REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS DUE TO SEPARATION.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VHEICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, DUE TO SEPARATION, WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER DURING THIS PERIOD. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

01V200000SuspensionJune 28, 2001 · 48,600 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

96V234000Fuel SystemNovember 14, 1996 · 432,183 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

EA94-038/ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF ABS FAILURE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 21, 1998 · crash

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #:98VSL50000 SHOULD APPLY TO THIS DEFECT. THE VIN DOESS NOT FALL WITHIN TTHOSE COVERED BY MFG CAMPAIGN # 98043 EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED THEREIN FITS THIS VEHICLE EXACTLY. POSSIBLY THE MANUFACTURER OVERLOOKED GROUPS OF VEHICLES SIMILARLY DEFECTIVE,AND THERE MAY BE MANY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 15, 1999

DRIVER STOPPED AT TOLL BOOTH TO PAY TOLL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM, AND DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE EXHAUST.DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 24, 2003 · fire

WHILE ON AN OFF RAMP AT 10-15 MPH ON DAMP ROAD, SHARP TURN, VEHICLE STARTED HYDROPLANING, THEN ROLLED OVER 5 TIMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 30, 2001 · crash

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY ACID LEAKING OUT OF BATTERY TERMINAL WHICH IS OVER TOP OF THE BRAKE LINE. ACID CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKES. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THE DESIGN OF BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE REROUTED AWAY FROM THE BATTERY AREA. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND ADVISED CONSUMER TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 15, 1998

1996 Oldsmobile Bravada — common questions

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?

It is close to typical for the Bravada: 104 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1996 Bravada problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (36 complaints), visibility & wipers (16 complaints), engine (12 complaints).

Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Oldsmobile Bravada years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bravada years to avoid are 2002, 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among Bravada years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.