2004 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,274miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 19 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,274 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 461 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system4 31%
- Air bags3 23%
- Electrical system3 23%
- Other or unknown3 23%
- Exterior lighting2 15%
- Steering2 15%
- Brakes1 7.7%
- Engine1 7.7%
- Suspension1 7.7%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Takata recall, my wife was in two accidents, one in april 2011 she was driving down a suburb street to catch a light on a left turn and when the light turned green for the other side coming at her, a car already at speed limit continued and my wife struck that car on its left side with her front left bumper ; airbags never deployed, she was in another accident on 12/4/2015. She was driving on the freeway in the far right lane going about 70mph when a van drifted into her lane forcing her off the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10808623, filed 2015-12, 82,000 milesElectrical system: “Hello I bought an 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada on 2/25/2012 the seller told me that the truck had 100,000 miles, but after I bought it and when a got home I check the record of the truck in vincarhistory. As a result I found out that it has 62,000 miles more of what it supposed to be and seller never told me anything. What can I do in this case because I don't want to have any problems???”
NHTSA complaint #10449995, filed 2012-03, 100,000 milesOther or unknown: “I currently own a 2004 olds Bravada with a 4.2 ltr engine. I noticed a loud ticking noise. I discoveredbthere was a crack in the exhaust manifold. I have never had this happen to any of my cars. Apparently I do not stand alone. I have discovered countless GM owners of this type of vehicle with exact same problem. I think GM should have recalled this defect. I believe if all this is happening it is poisoning our atmosphere with all these exhaust leaks based on poor craftsmanship of this particular product. I think the epa should be made aware of this incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10301741, filed 2010-01, 105,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bravada · sedan | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
| Bravada · sedan (side air bags) | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bravada 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Bravada AWD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V198000May 5, 2005Exterior lighting › Turn signalCovers: Oldsmobile Bravada 2003–2004, Chevrolet Trailblazer 2003–2004, GMC Envoy 2003–2004 +2 more
On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) may cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than…
- 04V527000Nov 1, 2004Exterior lighting › Brake lightsCovers: Oldsmobile Bravada 2002–2004, Chevrolet Trailblazer 2002–2004, GMC Envoy XL 2002–2004 +2 more
On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Recall details for the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 461 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11007744Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007743Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Engine, Fuel system. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
- 11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492…
Other model years of the Oldsmobile Bravada
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 13 | 82,274 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 27 | 56,000 | 7 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 238 | 43,100 | 10 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 33 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 76 | 64,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 60 | 78,500 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 98 | 71,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 104 | 71,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 77 | 88,746 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 91 | 114,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 43 | 140,894 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 56 | — | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 44 | 133,000 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Oldsmobile Bravada model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.
Has the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada (Bravada 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,274 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 90,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.