1992 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1992 Oldsmobile Bravada report brake problems far more often than problems with any other system. The most common descriptions are a brake pedal that travels toward the floor and an ABS warning light that comes on, often with longer stopping distances. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints, which were filed between 1995 and 2001.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS warning light or ABS not working as expected

   • 32 complaints (57%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe the ABS warning light coming on, sometimes together with the regular brake light, and the ABS not engaging or not stopping the vehicle as expected. Some describe the brakes locking, including the front brakes and on icy surfaces, and one owner asked for a wheel speed software calibration that the owner says was done on other vehicles. According to complaints, the dealer sometimes found nothing wrong with the ABS, in other cases diagnosed a brake control unit that had not yet been replaced, and in one case declined a repair the owner requested. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints; the conditions described include panic stops, wet or icy roads, and low-speed braking.

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS warning light has been diagnosed and whether the brake control unit or any ABS software update has been checked or replaced. On a test drive, watch whether the light stays on and whether the brakes respond normally at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While the NHTSA internet questionnaire restricts the manner in which incidents can be reported, I have experienced many problems related to the anti-lock brake system on my '92 Bravada. …”

   NHTSA complaint #709418, filed 1999-07

   “Stepped on brake pedal backing out of driveway,pedal went clear to floor antilock light and brake light on dash came on no leaks of fluid brakes are all fairly new lights have stayed on and brakes do not work right pedal still goes to floor ,goes to dealer 8/28/00to be plugged in on computer,would like to know if there was a recall on this.”

   NHTSA complaint #729103, filed 2000-08
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal travels to the floor

   • 16 complaints (29%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor during sudden stops and at low speed, sometimes with the vehicle not stopping right away. Some describe the pedal as soft or spongy, and the ABS light came on in some accounts. According to complaints, the dealer in some cases inspected the vehicle and found nothing wrong with the ABS, and in one case refused service because the warranty had expired. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints; the pedal drop is described during sudden stops, at low speed, and when backing out of a driveway.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake fluid level and lines have been checked for leaks, and whether the ABS warning light has been diagnosed. A test drive with firm stops at low speed can show whether the pedal sinks toward the floor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer was driving approximately 40 MPH when he pressed on brakes to stop and the ABS did not engage. Also the brake pedal went further to the floor than normal. During a low speed braking situation at 25 MPH the vehicle would not stop at a distance less than 2 1/2 vehicle distances.”

   NHTSA complaint #820856, filed 1998-02

   “The ABS brakes have an intermitten problem, it causes the vehicle to have extended stopping distance then what it is supposed to have. Pedal would go to the floor each time. Consumer states vehicle has had constant problems with the alignment in the front end.”

   NHTSA complaint #818299, filed 1997-11
3. 3
   Brakes

   Intermittent or sudden loss of braking

   • 26 complaints (46%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners describe brakes that suddenly feel weak or gone, including a case with an electrical short and loss of braking power after hard braking, and a case where tapping the brakes did not disengage cruise control and the brakes would not work. Other accounts describe intermittent braking at highway speed or at moderate speed, and one describes front brake pads worn to the rivets with no warning. According to complaints, the dealer was notified in one case, repairs were made, and the condition appeared normal afterward. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints; the loss of braking is described during hard or panic braking, at highway speed, and at moderate speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the front brake pads and rotors have been inspected and whether the brake and electrical systems have been checked for faults. Check the pad thickness at the front wheels during a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Three separate incidents of total brake failure. One resulted in failure to yield at a stop sign. Rolled into cross traffic. Gm dealer refuses to repair even at owner's expense because it is not on the recall list. I requested a repair that was done to other vehicles under recall in which the software is calibrated for proper wheel speed feedback. I will try another dealer”

   NHTSA complaint #750500, filed 2001-08

   “While appying the brakes the pedal went to the floor and brakes failed to stop vehicle, causing the consumer to rear-end another vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer. Dealer refused to service the vehicle due to the fact that the warranty expired.”

   NHTSA complaint #828034, filed 1998-09

Buying note. For someone considering this model year, the complaints point to the ABS system and brake pedal feel as the main areas to check. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the ABS warning light history, brake pedal feel, and front pads is a practical step.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 29 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.