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Engine coolingPart report

1996 Oldsmobile Bravada Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
13%of 77 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada, 13% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The vehicle began overheating. The check engine light appeared. It was taken to the dealer and said that the coolant became muddy and that happens a lot when the coolant gets a little low. The thermostat was replaced along with a flush and fill on the radiator and cooling system. The dealer wanted to put the same coolant in the radiator and this was unusual to me. I had them put in preston and had no problems since.”

NHTSA complaint #10041526, filed 2003-10, 60,000 miles

“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

“Vehicle overheated and temperature gauge went to the top, engine began to make noises, dealer found that radiator was full of bad coolant and very muddy, the mud was clogging the radiator which caused loss of coolant flow and overheated condition, the radiator was replaced, flushed engine block and heater core of muddy coolant, and thermostat and radiator cap was replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #561430, filed 2001-06

“Driver stopped at toll booth to pay toll and saw smoke coming from rear of vehicle. Consumer got out of vehicle to investigate where the smoke was coming from, and determined that vehicle caught on fire from the exhaust.driver had vehicle towed to the dealership.”

NHTSA complaint #10037977, filed 2003-09

“While driving, vehicle would stall, dealer replaced the fuel filter, coil and module, fuel pump, crank sensor and ignition switch, however problem continued, consumer has since traded vehicle in for a 2002 Bravada.”

NHTSA complaint #565529, filed 2002-04

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200327%
20024619%
2001618%
20001013%
19991017%
199877%
19971514%
19961013%
199444%
199337%
199224%
199112%

Other parts of the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada

Brakes
31 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Suspension
8 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Oldsmobile Bravada

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology