VehicleVerdict

2004 Oldsmobile Bravada problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

23

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Bravada years?

Bravada NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bravada years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System417%
Airbags417%
Electrical System313%
Other313%
Transmission29%
Lighting29%
Steering29%
Brakes14%
Suspension14%
Engine14%

Does the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada have recalls?

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

05V198000LightingMay 5, 2005 · 286,478 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

04V527000LightingNovember 1, 2004 · 871,473 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER' VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SIDE AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. DEALER CAME OUT TO DO AN INVESTIGATION, AND STATED VEHICLE WAS FINE.*AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE OLDSMOBILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 11, 2004 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL, MY WIFE WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS, ONE IN APRIL 2011 SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURB STREET TO CATCH A LIGHT ON A LEFT TURN AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN FOR THE OTHER SIDE COMING AT HER, A CAR ALREADY AT SPEED LIMIT CONTINUED AND MY WIFE STRUCK THAT CAR ON ITS LEFT SIDE WITH HER FRONT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 4, 2015 · crash · fire

“I was in a full impact collision driverside front took all impact of another vehicles front end. NO airbags deployed in my 2004 bravada!! ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 18, 2022 · crash

“I was in a full impact collision driverside front took all impact of another vehicles front end. NO airbags deployed in my 2004 bravada!! ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 18, 2022 · crash

“THERE IS A CRACK IN MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IS THERE A RECALL OR A EXTENDED COVERAGE. ALSO THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 2, 2017

2004 Oldsmobile Bravada — common questions

Is the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Bravada problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (4 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), other (3 complaints).

Does the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 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.