2002 Oldsmobile Bravada engine problems

The 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada has 52 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Engine complaints

15%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Bravada engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V289000EngineJune 23, 2004 · 29,951 units

Defect

SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AIR SUSPENSION (ECAS) HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ECAS MAY PRODUCE A BRIEF ELECTRICAL SPIKE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING. THIS ELECTRICAL SPIKE CAN DISRUPT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.

Consequence

IF THE SPIKE DAMAGES THE PCM, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RESTART. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 19, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN BURNING ODOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS MELTING FROM THE BOTTOM AND WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE CARPET. THE CONTACT PULLED THE FUSE BOX WIRES FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT TO PREVENT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 16, 2016 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada have?

NHTSA has 52 complaints about the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada engine — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 04V289000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.