VehicleVerdict

1997 Oldsmobile Bravada problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 158 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Bravada year — the 1997 model ranks #2 of 14 Bravada years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (22), engine (19), and suspension (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

158

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Bravada years?

Bravada NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bravada years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2214%
Suspension1912%
Engine1912%
Transmission1912%
Fuel System1711%
Visibility & Wipers159%
Body & Structure74%
Brakes74%
Airbags64%
Lighting53%
Other53%
Speed Control53%
Seat Belts43%
Steering43%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada have recalls?

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

03V117000Seat BeltsMarch 31, 2003 · 312,715 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AFTER SEEING SMOKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0002-89 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10 *BF”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 3, 2010 · fire

“WHILE GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNED THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE IN THE CONTROL ARMS. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO FOUND INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER BALL JOINT, RECALL NUMBER 01V-200000, SHOULD ALSO COVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 17, 2003

“OTHER: REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ENGINE: A CYCLINDER ON THE VEHICLE CRACKED AND NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THIS IS ABSURD. WITH A REGULARLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE, WITH ONLY 5 1/2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON OTHER THAN IMPROPER CASTING, METAL FATIGUE, DEFAULT FROM THE FACTORY THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2002

“I JUST HAD THE TRANSFER CASE AND DIFFERENTIAL ON MY 1997 OLDS BRAVADA REPAIRED AND WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A POP SOUND AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND GOT EVERYONE OUT JUST BEFORE THE WHOLE THING WENT UP IN FLAMES. *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 16, 2003 · fire

“WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA BEGAN FLASHING THEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WE PULLED OVER AND I PULLED MY CHILDREN FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE GAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 15, 2007 · fire

1997 Oldsmobile Bravada — common questions

Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 158 complaints put the 1997 model at #2 of 14 Bravada years. It is one of the Bravada years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Bravada problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (22 complaints), engine (19 complaints), suspension (19 complaints).

Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.