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2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, most often about the electrical (26% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles). It is 4th of 5 Bravada model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada problems
Electrical
7 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Speedometer/odometer failure in my 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada. After reading several internet articles about problems with a large amount of gm odometer/ speedometers in SUV's I felt it could be a saftey issue and decided to report my problem.
The speedometer quit registering properly (sticky, showing 25mph when at standstill) and the oil pressure gauge pegged to the right. It has been doing this sporadically ever since (still to this day) with both the speedometer and oil gauge. You never know how fast (or slow) you are going and you fear the engine is…
Transmission
6 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), clutch assembly.
Oldsmobile 2003 Bravada AWD complete transmission failure at 53,000 miles. Required new transmission. No warranty coverage from gm. I see ion the internet that many owners of the same gm vehicles have had the same problem. Clearly this is a manufactures defect that requires a recall.
While driving in snowy conditions the wheels spun, the vehicle slipped into 4-wheel-drive and spun out of control. The consumer drove into a snow embankment. There were no injuries.
Fuel system
4 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: storage.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada. While filling up the vehicle with fuel, the contact began to smell gas. He drove home and smelled gas inside of the passenger compartment. The dealer discovered a crack on top of the fuel tank. The current mileage is 86,150 and failure mileage was 86,148. Updated 10/16/08…
Failure/rusting of the fuel pump supply line and return line. This is part of the fuel pump assembly located in the fuel tank itself. Upon inspection after removing the tank from vehicle, the fuel pump lines were found to be rusted through. This was discovered after noticing a fuel odor, and upon further…
Air bags
4 complaints · 15%When I turned the key to start the Bravada, both air bags deployed at the same time. Driver air bag struck me on the right side of my face causing burning sensation and redness.
When I turned the key to start the car, my air bags deployed. I reported this to gm. Gm refused to send anyone down to inspect the Bravada to see what made the air bags deployed. Gm stated it would cost too much money to find out. I want to prevent anyone from getting killed. I or my passenger or both would have been…
Brakes
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: foundation components.
- the contact has a 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada and had to replace the brake rotors because they had pitted and corroded prematurely. The contact stated that he shouldn't have to replace the brake rotors so soon they should last approximately 100,000 miles. The contact has done research online and found on the NHTSA…
This vehicle has been driven less than 40,000 miles. It has been driven only on highways and city roads. It is kept in a garage where my other vehicle and previously own automobiles are kept. While it was being serviced, it was discovered that the inboard sides of the brake rotors were severely rusted to the extent…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada recalls
Lights: turn signal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: brake lights
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: If braking performance is reduced, a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. 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, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-8006.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process. If the brake pipe partially or fully fractured, brake pedal travel would immediately increase and front brake performance would be reduced.
Transmission: automatic transmission
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
The subject vehicles are model year (my) 2002-2009 chevrolet trailblazer, gmc envoy, 2004-2007 buick rainier, 2003-2008 isuzu ascender, 2005-2009 saab 9-7x, 2002-2004 oldsmobile bravada, 2003-2006 chevrolet ssr, 2005-2009 buick lacrosse, and 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix. This scope includes the trailblazer/envoy variants: 2002-2006 envoy xl/trailblazer ext and 2004-2005 envoy xuv. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject headlight driver module (hdm). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by general motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicle
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Summary
During the course of this ea investigation, odi observed that the majority of the complaints (88%) and warranty claims (94%) were reported for vehicles that are registered for use in the salt belt region of the US.this area includes 20 states in the northeast, mid atlantic and the midwest regions and the district of columbia.consumers in the salt belt region reported to odi that they could smell fuel vapors in their vehicles while driving.upon further examination of their vehicles, they discovered that fuel vapors were coming out of the top of the fuel tank. This condition is caused by corrosion of the return and sender lines of the fuel pump module.water and road salt collect on top of the
Brake lamp failure
Summary
Gm states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on march 2, 2004, gm initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on april 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer complaints alleging brake lights not operating when the brake pedal is depressed.on august 3, 2004 odi upgraded pe04-032 to an engineering analysis (ea04-021).by letter dated october 27, 2004 gm notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA # 04v527) covering subject vehicles
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
On september 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, gmc envoy and envoy xl, and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on january 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain my 2003 isuzu ascender vehicles.all subject vehicles are built on general motors? Gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the family design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsens
Fuel spillage during refueling
Summary
This investigation was opened on the model year (my) 2003 chevrolet trailblazer.based on gm's information request (ir) response, odi added to its analysis the my 2003 gmc envoy and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.these vehicles share the same vehicle platform (gm 360/370) and fuel fill components.incident summary numbers reported above include these vehicles.epa regulates the fuel dispensing rates at filling stations and gm states that the reports of spitback for the subject vehicles are principally caused by fuel dispensing pumps exceeding the rate specified by epa.odi finds that the rate of complaints, field reports and warranty is low compared to other vehicles that have been recalled for a s
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
The subject vehicles (chevrolet trailblazer (ext), gmc envoy (xl), and oldsmobile bravada) are built on the gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?family? Design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).the windshield wiper assembly is located inside the plenum at the base of the windshield and is mounted on an incline approximately equal to the rake of the windshield.gm reports that vehicles are subject to a quality assurance water test at the assembly plant.the test exposes the vehicles to an amount of water that exceeds the plenum?s capability to
Questions about the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (7 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); transmission (6 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); fuel system (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 5, 2005 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Oldsmobile Bravada?
- It is 4th of 5 Bravada model years by number of complaints, with 27 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.