1996 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, particularly anti-lock braking behavior in which the pedal travels to the floor or the ABS engages when it is not needed, especially on wet, snowy, gravel or uneven surfaces. Windshield wipers that work intermittently or stop altogether are the other frequently reported theme, and several owners note the wiper recall did not cover their particular vehicle. Reports also cover front suspension ball joints, muddy coolant leading to overheating, and fuel pump or starting problems.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS engages unexpectedly; pedal goes to the floor

   • 17 complaints (22%)
   • median 88,746 mi at 8.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2006

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor and stopping distance lengthening, sometimes with the ABS activating on gravel, potholes, wet roads, snow or ice when hard braking was not intended. Owners say pumping or releasing the pedal sometimes restores braking, and that the condition is intermittent, which made it hard for dealers to reproduce. Several report that dealers replaced pads or cleaned rotors and drums with only temporary improvement, or told them the problem could not be duplicated; some say they were offered disconnecting the ABS. Reported across a wide mileage range from near-new to over 100,000 miles, with owners often noting it in wet, snowy or uneven-road conditions.

   What to check: Drive the vehicle on a wet or loose surface and brake firmly from moderate speed to see whether the pedal drops or the ABS cycles unexpectedly. Ask for service records on ABS sensors, the ABS module and brake hydraulic work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs system - in my opinion, the ABS is too sensitive. On several occasions the ABS activated causing my stopping distance to increase. Twice on bumpy surfaces while hard braking I came close to a collision, and in my 20 years of driving experience I know that I would not have that scare with vehilces not equiped with ABS. Contacted manufacturer on best way to disconect, their only comment was, we don't recommend disconnecting the ABS system. You have a case #ea94038 on ABS. …”

   NHTSA complaint #749925, filed 2001-08

   “Brake pedal is extremely hard to press, it goes low to the floor and causes extended stopping distance. Problem gets better when they put new pads on. Then 5,000 to 8,000 miles it happens all over again. Mechanic found rotors to be hard they were removed and cleaned and readjusted and also cleaned rear drums, also consumer states a light was on, oxygen sensor was replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #882358, filed 2001-03
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers work intermittently or quit

   • 13 complaints (17%)
   • median 88,746 mi at 8.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2006

   Owners describe front and rear wipers that run intermittently, stop mid-sweep, or fail to start at all, sometimes with a humming noise when switched on. Complaints frequently mention replacing fuses repeatedly, and one owner reported a dealer diagnosing a faulty wiper control board or module. Several owners state their vehicle was not included in the wiper-motor recall despite showing the same symptoms, and some report paying for repairs themselves. Reported from the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, typically at mileages between roughly 58,000 and 105,000.

   Recall 03V159000

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed setting, including intermittent, and watch for pauses or a dead motor; check whether the wiper motor recall (03V159000) was performed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The windshield wiper on my 1996 olds Bravada started to work intermittently. The problem, as diagnosed by a GM dealer was a faulty wiper control board/module. This is the fault described on GM recall 03023. But I was told that only some of the 1996 bravadas are covered by this recall (and mine is not). When I first encountered it in june of 2005, I replaced the fuse and everything worked fine for a week or two. Then the problem occurred again, replaced the fuse and everything worked fine for a while. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10146236, filed 2005-12, 105,000 miles

   “Today I had to have replaced the connection to the positive side of the battery. The mechanic cut off a bunch of the wire as the corrosion was widespread. Almost everytime I stopped the car and turned the motor off I would have to use a pair of pliers to tighten up the connection to get started. This has happened many times since last summer and I even had the alternator replaced on a road trip because we couldn't start the car and this is what a mechanic said was needed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #746059, filed 2001-05
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front ball joint wear and failure

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 88,746 mi at 8.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2006

   Complaints describe front upper and lower ball joints wearing out or failing, in some cases with a wheel leaning inward, a loud pop when pulling away or turning, and the need to replace several joints at once. Owners report paying for the repairs themselves and note that a ball-joint recall exists for this model but that their vehicle identification number fell outside the covered range. Most reports fall between about 75,000 and 90,000 miles, with several owners saying the vehicle had been maintained on schedule.

   Recall 01V200000

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the front upper and lower ball joints for play or torn boots, and ask whether the ball-joint recall (01V200000) applies to this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Right front wheel leaned inward due to a ball joint failure. Upon further inspection, found remaining upper and lower ball joints severly worn. Vehicle had only 77808 miles when failure occurred. Had to replace four ball joints and stud kits at a cost of approx. $700. Vehicle was properly maintained according to the maintenance schedule.”

   NHTSA complaint #723285, filed 2000-05

   “Pulling off from a stop consumer heard a loud pop. Consumer proceeded to drive vehicle, heard another pop, and ABS kicked in. While turning a curve right front passenger's tire flopped inward. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #8013815, filed 2002-07
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Battery acid leaking onto brake lines

   Mentioned in 4 of 53 sampled complaints

   Several owners describe battery acid or a cracked battery case dripping onto the brake line routed beneath the battery, damaging the line and leading to loss of brake fluid and braking. Complaints mention replacing the battery terminal connection because of corrosion and, in some cases, a ruptured line that required repair. Reported mostly between 1998 and 2001; most complaints do not state mileage.

   What to check: Inspect the battery tray and the brake line below it for corrosion or wet spots, and check battery age and terminal condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer experienced problem with the battery acid leaking out of battery terminal which is over top of the brake line. Acid causes the vehicle to lose brakes. Consumer concerned that the design of brake lines should be rerouted away from the battery area. Dealer notified, and advised consumer to call NHTSA.”

   NHTSA complaint #832695, filed 1998-12

   “Due to location of the battery, acid leaked onto brake line, causing brake line to rupture, and resulting in loss of all brake fluid which caused complete brake failure when driving. Consumer has contacted the dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #872453, filed 2000-10

Buying note. Because most complaints center on braking behavior and wiper function, test both carefully on a wet road before buying and ask for records of ABS, brake hydraulic and wiper repairs. Also have the front ball joints inspected and confirm which open recalls, if any, still apply to the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 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.