AI Damage1991 Oldsmobile Bravada: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 44
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 66% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 29 complaints (66% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 29 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While placing vehicle into drive, vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 20-30 mph. Consumer had to ride with the brake on before hitting a wall. Dealer has been contacted.
Both abs and brake light came on and caused an accident. Dealer cannot determine problem.
Tires constantly lost air. Took vehicle to dealer. Dealer believed that driver kept driving over rocks.
While driving the instrument panel began smoking and then caught fire. The dealer advised the consumer that the "electrical system" within the display shorted causing the fire.
1991 olds bravada I have has a defective steering column : tilt.
Consumer was putting on seat belt when strap attachment anchor, that was bolted to vehicles floor came out of flooring, entire head section came apart from the bolt. Had broken in half. Vehicle was never in accident for problem to happen. Consumer has since replaced the fractured bolt.
Abs light comes on, performed system check, ecm malfunction, replaced b.p.m.v. With e.c.u, replaced brake fluid in entire system, adjust rear brakes. Fluid leaking from left rear axle, replace l/rear axle seal and brake shoes both side s left rear axle shaft faulty and contaminated brake shoes, replaced axle seal
Brake pedal goes to the floor when applied, abs light and brake lights are illuminated on the console. The brakes will stop or slow the vehicle, but then the pedal just releases and goes all the way to the floor. Dealer has been contacted.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,690 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Bravada has 64 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 44, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, powertrain, seat belts. Total complaints: 44. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (9%), warning lights, check engine (9%), seat belts (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1991 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.