AI Damage1998 Oldsmobile Bravada: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 98
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Visibility: 31 complaints (32% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 19 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 12 complaints (12% of all).
- Suspension: 12 complaints (12% of all).
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (9% 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 98 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 31 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 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.
Due to defective electrical problems windows went up and down/ headlights malfunctioned, and braking system malfunctioned, causing a crash. Also, while driving battery cable fell apart which caused the vehicle to stall unexpectedly which may have caused a crash.
While in stop position vehicle suddenly accelerated, hitting a building in which the driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy.
Vehicle was stopped in front of curbing, for service. Before engaging "park" engine roared and lunged vehicle thru dealership brickwork.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the passengers side rear axle broke and the rear passenger wheel fell off. The contact stated that the vehicle flipped, causing the air bags to deploy. The contact sustained major injuries that required medical condition.
Vehicle has a complete loss of power while driving. It happens numerous times without warning while driving to work 3rd shift 55-60 mph on a country road... Vehicle would suddenly shut down. With no lights, power steering, ect... I would have to try and pull over in the pitch black of night.
The contact stated that while driving at 45-55 mph, the vehicle stalled numerous times without warning. The vehicle was taken toa dealer, who replaced the alternator. The repair failed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage 42,000.
My vehicle had a complete loss of power while driving. It happened more than once prior to taking it in to the dealership. No dash board lighting, no power steering, no acceleration and braking was very difficult. If I tapped on the steering column the power would sometimes come back on.
The contact stated that while reversing at unknown speeds, the driver's side front seat caught on fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
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 3,615 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Bravada has 64 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 98, above average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- 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 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, electrical system, steering. Total complaints: 98. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (8%), A/C or heater (7%), rust, corrosion (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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.