AI Damage1997 Oldsmobile Bravada: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada filed 104 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 104
- involving a crash
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 18 complaints (17% of all).
- Suspension: 17 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 15 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 15 complaints (14% 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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 104 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When driving in the rain windshield wipers quit working. There was no warning. Driver stopped vehicle, got out, and wiggled the wiper arm, and wipers started again. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced the wiper motor.
Consumer states while driving at 50 mph the consumer ran head on into the back of another vehicle and none of the front air bags deployed. The vehicle was totaled. Contacted dealer.
Leased vehicle; while driving and at intersection, when stepped on the accelerator, it accelerated at full speed. Vehicle was involved in one car accident, frontal impact. Dealer contacted and gm contacted, they cannot remedy the problem. Vehicle in shop. Provide further information.
During frontal impact at 15 mph, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Please provide details.
When vehicle was involved in a high speed collision going (45) mph, rear ended another vehicle and there was no deployment of the driver's side air bag. The vehicle is being repaired at this time.
While driving my 1997 oldsmobile bravada the car shut off unexpectedly and continued to stall. I was able to pull off of the road and restart the car. I drove to my mechanics garage and he replaced the ignition harness. This has happed to me a total of ( 4) four times.
And during this time the brake pedal would rise and get hard and I would have to apply lots of pressure in order for vehicle to stop which does so with grind. I replaced both rotors,calipers,brake pads,mastercylinder and brake booster.abs light would come on when hit bump and go off after awhile .finally I removed…
1997 oldsmobile bravada became completely engulfed in flames after the driver pulled over after seeing smoke. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0002-89 updated letter 04/29/10
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 3,479 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Bravada has 64 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 104, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 104. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (8%), door locks, latches, handles (6%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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 2026-11-05.