2000 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Bravada most often report electrical faults (dead batteries, headlamps that quit, dash and compass problems) and transmission or all-wheel-drive trouble, with many complaints filed between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles. A recurring theme is the stop lamp and hazard switch covered by two recalls, which some owners say failed again or was never done on their vehicle. Suspension, brake and cooling-system complaints round out the picture, typically at moderate mileage.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Stop lamps and hazard flashers quit working (multifunction

   • 11 complaints (14%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2020

   Owners report that the brake lights, hazard flashers or turn signals stop working, sometimes all at once and sometimes intermittently; in some cases jiggling or moving the turn signal lever makes a brake light come back on. Several complaints describe this as matching a recall, and owners say the dealer either performed the switch repair or told them their vehicle identification number was not covered or had already been repaired. A few owners say they were charged for the repair or were refused reimbursement. Reported from about 48,000 miles up to 165,000 miles, across many model years of use.

   Recall 08V231000Recall 01V3640001 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine off but the key on, have a helper watch the rear lamps while you press the brake and try each turn signal and the hazards. Ask the seller for paperwork showing the stop lamp/hazard switch recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a used 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada in june 2008. The vehicle passed state required inspection with no issues. On 9/19/08 the stop lamps unexpectedly blew all four bulbs and the stop lamps now do not work at all even with new bulbs installed. Upon doing internet search for causes and repair solutions, I found that there had been a recall in 2001 regarding stop lamp/hazard flasher switch failures. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10243467, filed 2008-09, 128,000 miles

   “I recently purchased a my2000 Oldsmobile Bravada from a private party. Upon driving the vehicle home, I realized that the brake lights did not function. Upon further investigation, I found that the hazard flashers also did not work. I found a recall notice on the NHTSA website which covers this vehicle, which describes the malfunction perfectly. Upon contacting the Oldsmobile division of general motors, I was told by the customer service representative that the vehicle in question had been repaired in 2001 as required by the recall campaign. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10047098, filed 2003-11, 97,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical gremlins: dead batteries, lamps out, accessories

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 65,076 mi at 5.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2011

   Complaints describe repeated battery replacement, headlamps that go out and come back, a compass or radio that misbehaves, dome lights that stay on, alarm and power lock oddities, and in a few cases chafed or pinched wiring that shorted. Some owners report the vehicle stalling or losing power with an electrical cause the dealer could not locate, and one complaint describes a wiring harness that chafed and burned. Spread from near-new to high mileage, with several reports between 37,000 and 60,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that all lamps, the horn, power locks, dome lights and the compass work, look for a recent battery, and inspect visible wiring near the battery and engine mounts for chafing or repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The wiring harness in our 2000, Oldsmobile Bravada caught fire. It appears as though it chfed through and shorted. The chafing occurred where the harness was bent over the A/C return (?). It appears to be a design flaw. Vehicle was towed and is back with dealer where we purchased.”

   NHTSA complaint #10016816, filed 2003-05, 37,000 miles

   “Continual electrical problems with Oldsmobile Bravada. The head lamp failure was recurrent. They would go off and stay off for 30 minutes then come back on for a minute to a half an hour, then work intermittently through out the day, the battery went dead, the compass unit failed numerous times.”

   NHTSA complaint #10109549, filed 2005-01, 51,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front-end and ball joint wear, vibration and alignment

   • 11 complaints (14%)
   • median 54,194 mi at 4.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2004

   Owners report front ball joints breaking at low speed, rumbling or vibration from a stop or in turns, and a pull to the right that returned after repeated alignments. One complaint describes the front end collapsing and the control arm contacting a brake line; another mentions rear-end bearing and pin noise that the dealer would not address. Reported from a few thousand miles up to roughly 60,000 miles, including a break near 43,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have a shop check ball joints, control arms and bushings on a lift before purchase, and drive over uneven pavement at low speed listening for clunks or rumbling.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Drivers side front ball joint broke while driving in the rain, car slid, I did manage to miss the semi's tires the car was headed for. After checking the ntsa web page I find that there have been other complaints/recals on the ball joint and suspension system, I have never received any information reguarding this. I did pay dearly to have the one set of ball joint repaired. Is the recall still avaliable for the rest of the ball joints and the suspension system. My car only has 38k miles on it and is falling apart. Please help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10033068, filed 2003-08

   “Right upper balljoint broke while driving around 20 miles per hour. I turned a corner going slow and felt a bump. The steering wheel was not turned staight, but the Bravada was going straight.”

   NHTSA complaint #10064289, filed 2004-03, 43,388 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and all-wheel-drive shifting and vibration

   • 11 complaints (14%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2007

   Owners describe the transmission not changing gears unless the accelerator is pressed repeatedly, reverse or overdrive dropping out while other gears still work, the shifter slipping into neutral when stopping, and a service all-wheel-drive light that comes back after dealer visits. Some complaints tie a vibration felt at speed or from a stop to the transfer case. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 65,000 miles, with some at lower and higher mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive from a cold start through all gears including reverse and overdrive, listen for whine or clunk, and ask whether the transmission fluid and transfer case fluid have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I just purchased my 2000 Bravada in december of 2002 and it had less than 25,000 miles on it. I do not do heavy driving, mostly open road and no towing, and was very surprised when all of a sudden my transmission went out two months and 1,700 miles after the power train warranty expired. When I called the dealership and talked to the repair person he knew what was wrong even before I told him (the reverse and overdrive went out but the other drives were fine) and he said that this was a common problem with bravadas. Imagine my surprise! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070339, filed 2004-01, 37,000 miles

   “While traveling noticed vehicle not changing gears. Consumer would have to depress gas pedal several times to change gears. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #865411, filed 2000-07
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Sticking accelerator / throttle hanging up

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 32,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2004

   Complaints describe the accelerator pedal sticking, requiring extra pressure to move from a stop or hesitating before the throttle snaps open and the vehicle lurches forward. One owner says a mechanic identified the throttle plate sticking in the throttle body; another reports a speed control sensor replacement that did not resolve the problem. Others mention sudden acceleration or pulling with cruise control engaged. Typically reported below about 40,000 miles, with one case near 32,000 miles.

   What to check: With the engine off, press the accelerator slowly and feel for binding, then start it in park and confirm it returns freely; ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While stopping at a traffic light or a stop sign vehicle would accelerate without warning. Owner has made contact with the dealership. The throttle butterfly plate became stuck in the throttle body assembly. When the consumer tried to accelerate from a stop additional pressure on the gas pedal was required. The throttle then snapped open and the vehicle jumped forward unexpectedly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10040718, filed 2003-11, 32,000 miles

   “While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle hesitated to accelerate. After applying the accelerator pedal numerous times vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the vehicle speed control sensor needed to be replaced, and he replaced it. However, the problem recurred. Sometimes, it required to press accelerator pedal hard to blend with highway traffic. Problem has occurred in speed between 30 to 50 MPH.”

   NHTSA complaint #10079516, filed 2004-07

Buying note. A 2000 Bravada is a 25-year-old vehicle, so condition and service records matter more than any single fault; confirm the stop lamp/hazard switch recalls were completed and have the front suspension and transmission or transfer case inspected before buying. Budget for electrical troubleshooting and cooling or brake work given the age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.