2002 Oldsmobile Bravada Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Bravada years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 10 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. That is the most of any Bravada model year in the database (10 years). The most reported problem area is power train (53 complaints, 22%), typically at around 48,975 miles. Complaints mention 18 crashes, 7 fires, 14 injuries. There are 10 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 10 defect investigations involving it.
- 238owner complaints
- 10safety recalls
- 10NHTSA investigations
- 18complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 53 | 22% | 48,975 | “transfer case” (17%) | — |
| Electrical System | 47 | 20% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 46 | 19% | 17,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 29 | 12% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 21 | 9% | 101,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 15 | 6% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 15 | 6% | 17,996 | — | — |
| Steering | 14 | 6% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 12 | 5% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 12 | 5% | 101,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 5% | 42,700 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 | 4% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | 3% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 6 | 3% | 94,645 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 2% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2% | 75,300 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 2% | 71,025 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 1% | 43,575 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 42,700 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 162,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 165,444 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada recalls (10)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Problem: 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.
Risk: An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on november 22, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Some sport utility vehicles equipped with an electronically controlled air suspension (ecas) have a condition in which the ecas may produce a brief electrical spike while the vehicle is operating. This electrical spike can disrupt the powertrain control module (pcm) causing the vehicle to stall.
Risk: If the spike damages the pcm, the vehicle may not restart. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a wiring harness. The recall will begin on august 19, 2004. Owners should contact oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat belts
Problem: Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." one of the two sensors in the driver's and front passenger's seat belt retractors could be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as heavy braking, may not operate as intended.
Risk: If this were to occur, the safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger safety belt retractors, and replace them if necessary. Owner notification began on june 24, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards no. 101, "control location, identification, and illumination" and no. 208, "occupant crash protection." these vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the instrument panel cluster may not properly power up, resulting in most of the displays, telltale lights, and functions (except the service engine light, turn signal indicators, and the instrument panel cluster backlighting) being inoperative.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster. Owner notification began may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out the fuel filter onto the ground.
Risk: If the fitting becomes disconnected while the vehicle is in motion, the engine would stop due to inadequate fuel supply and cause a loss of power steering assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. Gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain circumstances the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame.
Risk: A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on april 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed may 3, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Headlights (RQ17002) — opened Apr 24, 2017, closed Mar 29, 2021.
- Hazard light switch failure (RQ08001) — opened Feb 28, 2008, closed Jul 9, 2008, led to recall 08V231000.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (EA07009) — opened Jul 10, 2007, closed Aug 28, 2008.
- Brake lamp failure (EA04021) — opened Aug 3, 2004, closed Nov 4, 2004, led to recall 04V527000.
- Windshield wiper failure (EA04002) — opened Jan 6, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2004, led to recall 04V046000.
- Windshield wiper failure (PE03042) — opened Sep 17, 2003, closed Jan 6, 2004.
- Engine stall (EA03007) — opened May 6, 2003, closed Jun 18, 2004, led to recall 04V289000.
- Engine stall (PE03001) — opened Jan 3, 2003, closed May 6, 2003.
- Fuel filter quick connect fitting (RQ02010) — opened Jul 19, 2002, closed Nov 21, 2002, led to recall 02V121001.
- Pincher/chafed wiring (PE02036) — opened Mar 18, 2002, closed Oct 3, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Front Control arm broke at the frame. There is a recall for this control arm issue for a 2002 Bravada but, my vin was not included. 01V126000 is the NHTSA. The control arms fractured causing separation from the frame. Bravada is at service shop and they have confirmed the frame separation from…
I was merging onto the interstate going approximately 35 mph, I spun out on black ice across three lanes of traffic and smashed into the guard rail. The airbags DID NOT deploy during this accident, even when the car rolled back and hit the wall again. Since the airbags did not deploy, I suffered…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile bravada. The contact stated that driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise occurred. The contact placed the vehicle in gear and there was lateral movement of both rear wheel without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the…
Side mirrors being adjusted incorrectly both when backing and altering when going forward
Passenger seat caught on fire from seat heater while car was off and no one in it. The seat heater had not been used for days. My car was parked after going to the store about 3pm. Found the next morning about 10;30 am .gm denied my claim. Safety issue,definitely a manufactured defect ,there should…
Other Oldsmobile Bravada years
← 2001 Bravada · 2003 Bravada →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Bravada | 13 | 2 |
| 2003 Bravada | 27 | 7 |
| 2002 | 238 | 10 |
| 2001 Bravada | 33 | 1 |
| 2000 Bravada | 76 | 3 |
| 1999 Bravada | 60 | 0 |
| 1998 Bravada | 98 | 2 |
| 1997 Bravada | 104 | 2 |
| 1996 Bravada | 77 | 3 |
| 1995 Bravada | 2 | 0 |
See all Oldsmobile Bravada problems by year, every Oldsmobile model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?
Owners most often report power train, electrical system, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 53 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?
Yes, 10 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Bravada model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.