2002 Oldsmobile Bravada recalls and problems

The 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada has 10 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Oldsmobile dealer.

Recalls
10
Complaints
238
Crashes / fires
18 / 7
Injuries / deaths
14 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada recalls

Recall 04V-527: Exterior Lighting

Reported Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-289: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jun 23, 2004 · 29,951 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Some sport utility vehicles equipped with an electronically controlled air suspension (Ecas) have a condition in which the ecas may produce a brief electrical spike while the vehicle is operating. This electrical spike can disrupt the powertrain control module (Pcm) causing the vehicle to stall.

Risk: If the spike damages the PCM, the vehicle may not restart. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will install a wiring harness. The recall will begin on august 19, 2004. Owners should contact oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Recall 04V-201: Seat Belts

Reported Apr 28, 2004 · 261,801 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." one of the two sensors in the driver's and front passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as heavy braking, may not operate as intended.

Risk: If this were to occur, the safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger safety belt retractors, and replace them if necessary. Owner notification began on june 24, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

Recall 04V-046: Visibility

Reported Feb 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (Moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.

Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Recall 03V-250: Equipment

Reported Jul 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

Recall 03V-096: Electrical System

Reported Mar 19, 2003 · 314,300 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 101, "control location, identification, and illumination" and no. 208, "occupant crash protection." these vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the instrument panel cluster may not properly power up, resulting in most of the displays, telltale lights, and functions (Except the service engine light, turn signal indicators, and the instrument panel cluster backlighting) being inoperative.

Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster. Owner notification began 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, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

Recall 03V-075: Power Train

Reported Mar 6, 2003 · 511,167 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-121: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Aug 23, 2002 · 136,511 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.

Risk: If the fitting becomes disconnected while the vehicle is in motion, the engine would stop due to inadequate fuel supply and cause a loss of power steering assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. 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, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

Recall 02V-222: Air Bags

Reported Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.

Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.

Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. 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 buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

Recall 01V-126: Suspension

Reported Apr 12, 2001 · 30,476 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.

Risk: A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on april 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed may 3, 2001. 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, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train55
Electrical System49
Engine and Engine Cooling47
Visibility30
Suspension24
Structure15
Seat Belts15
Steering14
Seats13
Air Bags12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
Exterior Lighting11

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 19
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 16
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 14
  • Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) — 12
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 9
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 9
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash — 7
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices — 7

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 43,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · reported Mar 21, 2022
Front Control arm broke at the frame. There is a recall for this control arm issue for a 2002 Bravada but, my vin was not included. 01V126000 is the NHTSA. The control arms fractured causing separation from the frame. Bravada is at service shop and they have confirmed the frame separation from control arm. This is very dangerous and has caused it to be unsafe and deadly.
Air Bags · reported Jan 28, 2022
I was merging onto the interstate going approximately 35 mph, I spun out on black ice across three lanes of traffic and smashed into the guard rail. The airbags DID NOT deploy during this accident, even when the car rolled back and hit the wall again. Since the airbags did not deploy, I suffered trauma to my chin and inside my mouth. I have facial cellulitis, and I needed to receive 3 stitches inside my mouth to stop the bleeding. This happened because my face hit the steering wheel, rather than being protected by the airbag. There were no warning lights on the vehicle prior to failure. The…
Suspension · at 129,300 miles · reported Aug 11, 2020
The contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise occurred. The contact placed the vehicle in gear and there was lateral movement of both rear wheel without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that both driver's and passenger's side rear suspension outer link brackets were severely corroded, and the front control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no further assistance…
Electrical System · at 110,000 miles · reported Jan 14, 2018
Passenger seat caught on fire from seat heater while car was off and no one in it. The seat heater had not been used for days. My car was parked after going to the store about 3pm. Found the next morning about 10;30 AM .GM denied my claim. Safety issue,definitely a manufactured defect ,there should be a recall. Whole inside of the car is trashed . The fire obviously started from the seat must have been a blaze the headliner and visor also burnt. Must have extinguished itself due to lack of oxygen. I contacted GM they never sent anyone to look at it. I emailed them photos and through that they…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jul 19, 2017
Takata recall. I received a recall notice in the mail a couple years ago at the time my bravada was not doing what it said which was the smell of gasoline when starting the vehicle. Now I AM selling gas everyone I start her up. I can not find the letter I received about thisstyer so though t I would try this and hopefully get some answers. Thank you :)

Other Oldsmobile Bravada years

Compare all Oldsmobile Bravada years · All Oldsmobile models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada: 04V-527 (exterior lighting), 04V-289 (engine and engine cooling), 04V-201 (seat belts), 04V-046 (visibility), 03V-250 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?

Owners report power train problems most often (55 reports), followed by electrical system (49). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 43,500 miles.

Are Oldsmobile recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Oldsmobile dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.