VehicleVerdict

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada transmission problems

The 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada has 55 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

55

Transmission complaints

16%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Bravada transmission complaints by model year55 complaints1991: 4 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 1 complaints1996: 4 complaints1997: 19 complaints1998: 10 complaints1999: 15 complaints2000: 15 complaints2001: 11 complaints2002: 55 complaints2003: 6 complaints2004: 2 complaints
Bravada transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

03V075000TransmissionMarch 6, 2003 · 511,167 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.

Consequence

THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

What owners report

THE OWNER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE WHEELS THAT HAD SMARTTRAK KICKED IN AND SPUN THE VEHICLE AROUND. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A CAMPER PARKED ON THE STREET. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS NO 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED. THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. THERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada have?

NHTSA has 55 complaints about the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada transmission — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 03V075000.

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.