2001 Oldsmobile Bravada Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 30%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada, 30% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles.
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.
“I am the owner of a 2001 olds Bravada and recently my complete transmission has failed. Last year I took my vehicle to the olds dealer complaining of straining to change gears. They told me that it was not my transmission, but a part of the emmission and they were fixing the problem because I had purchased the gmpp (good thing I did). A year later, the same problem occured and I took my vehicle back to the olds dealer and because it had been a few days past the warranty expiration date, they said that they couldn't do anything. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125275, filed 2005-06, 71,000 miles“2001 olds Bravada (approx 36000 miles) had to have the drive shaft replaced for the 2nd time. The 1st incident (2003) the shaft actually disconnected from the vehicle and was replaced at the dealership. This time the car made a horrible clunking noise and was taken to the dealership for investigation and repair. Hard to believe that a driveshaft would have to be replaced twice in less than 3 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10072537, filed 2004-05, 36,000 miles“My wife drove to the store and when she left, there was no reverse gear. A stranger had to push it backwards so, she could get it home. The transmission sun shell gear was broken so the transmission had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10161881, filed 2006-07, 60,000 miles“1. Oldsmobile Bravada with smartrak at 48,000 miles and good condition developed drivetrain binding / locking up over several months. 2. The problem started as a minor binding when backing out or in tight forward turns. Now drivetrain actually locks up in tight turning position. Have to play with forward/backward gears and wheel direction to allow movement. This has become a serious safety problem if merging onto or backing into a traffic lane. 3. Initial service at GM dealer was to flush and fill transfer case fluid, $140. Instructed to drive for a while to obtain improvement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10251057, filed 2008-12, 48,000 miles“Oldsmobile Bravada has serious transfer case and transmition porblems. Non abuse failure of both items even with routine maintenance. Non abuse failure of the reverse gear in Bravada transmition. This problem has been noted in our previous 1996 Bravada and now in the 2001 Bravada, both with 70,000 to 80,000 miles on vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10125792, filed 2005-06Related service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 22% |
| 2002 | 53 | 22% |
| 2001 | 10 | 30% |
| 2000 | 14 | 18% |
| 1999 | 15 | 25% |
| 1998 | 9 | 9% |
| 1997 | 18 | 17% |
| 1996 | 4 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 3 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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