New Brakes $800
plus, New Suspension $400
plus, today a fuel pump... approx $700
= Quality GM product...
Bought a 98 Bravada from my mother with 75K miles on it. She had said the transmission was slipping. I have had to change the serpentine belt and the alternator. The rear windshield wiper will not dispense fluid. The AC must have a freon leak because hot air comes out of it. I am debating whether I go through with fixing the transmission or not.
I owned a 98 Bravada and it was the biggest piece of $%#*&
We started with the alternator, then the fuel injector went bad, passenger wheel hub, wiper motor, idler arm, blew hot air, had oil leak, (common GM problem I'm told) I could had a new BMW with the payments, plus repairs!!
It was very unstable; it felt like it was going to tip over even after new shocks, tires alignment.
Finally my wife lost control and flipped 3 times, and I believe a tie rod let loose. Please be careful; these are dangerous trucks!
I have a Dodge Durango that is great; it never feels unsteady on the road. I drive a Ford Explorer at work, and they also don't drive like this piece of $%$#
We should all sue these people!! I'm lucky my wife didn't die in this evil beast!!!
I have a 98 Olds Bravada and am looking for a transmission that is in good shape for it. I have rebuilt it from the ground up, and could have had 10 delor by now. Too far in to sell the piece of ______. If anyone knows of a transmission, let me know at tshrakes@sbcglobal.net
Just surfing for information on fuel pumps for this vehicle
and found these blogs. I have a 98 I have been to Miami, many times over the last 5 years no problem. I have replaced the alternator once, & a battery, the norm I think on the battery.
Recently though the wipers stopped working I heard about the recall on the motor, and the a/c blows hot air and the
brakes every couple of months I have do something with the brakes. Now All of a sudden just like that out of nowhere I need a fuel pump all of a sudden, But strangely enough I have always been happy with the vehicle.
Christine (GA)
I found this thread back in 2005, just after I purchased my 98 Bravada off of eBay. I wish I did research before I took possession of it.
One of the first things that happened was that the front wiper motor died. Over the next two years (and 40k miles) I had the alternator and the mass air flow sensor go. This whole time I was worried about the transmission, having read all these comments.
Well, last week (at 109k miles) my transmission went. I just don't have the money at the moment to fix it, and I need to get to work, so I'm pretty much screwed. I hadn't traded in it in sooner because, as others have said, it is a really nice vehicle. Very comfortable, roomy, but not one of those excessively large SUVs. While I try to beg and borrow money from friends, my Bravada is sitting in at my mechanics.
I have a 99 bravado, Yeah my fuel pump makes noise so what, it has 106,000 miles on it I tow a box trailer around I have the original Transmission, the other things you are all complaining about are normal for any car. I have the original spark plugs too, I have done two brake jobs on it always before it was required very easy even 1 of the sisters could do it. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
I have a 2000 Bravada and I absolutely love my vehicle, my problems were all covered under my extended warranty and there really wasn't all that many, NORMAL MAINTENANCE GOES A LONG WAY, I recently at 136,000 have encountered a problem with my heat which was described in a few of these threads with the heat and A/C, the only difference is that mine only blows cold like the air is on, I have replaced and checked little stuff like the thermostat, interior control switch, coolant level, the car doesn't overheat or leak so I would assume it's not the heater core, any ideas? also where is the switch under the hood everyone was talking about?
Agree with all above posts; bought our '98 Bravada new and all was well until 50k, then:
*Fuel gauge stopped working which led to the fuel pump
*Alt
*2 batteries
*a/c compressor
*radiator
*serpentine belt
*side mirror motors
*ignition switch
*wiper motors
*driver door hinges
*NOW: ball joints.
When will it end?
I'm getting a 98 olds Bravada because it's an Escalade for the poor! As long as you service your vehicle it will run forever, and if this is not so, then GM does need a talking from its customers...
I'm am in the process of buying a 98 Bravada and reviews are telling me to stay away, but it isn't pushing me away. For one I drove it about 5 times before buying it and it runs great, plus the dealership I bought it from has another one that has a blown head gasket, and he said if anything goes wrong with it, he will replace the parts. I am hoping nothing goes wrong with it, because I love the truck as a whole, and I badly want to get it off the lot today and start driving it.
Re the above comment: the fact that the dealership has another Bravada that's already broken is an incentive for you to buy this one?
Good luck with that...
I have a 2000 Bravada with 198,000 miles and I love it!!! I have a friend with a '99 and he has had nothing but trouble with it, just like most of you '98 owners. After talking with him, I was worried that I'd have the same problems, but I think I've been very lucky!!! The only problems I've had were minor. Spark plugs, rotors, now a thermostat. It's a very good riding vehicle and is great in Wisconsin winters. I'm hoping for another 50-80K out of it.
Just bought a 99, sure hope someone else has replaced all those problems I just read, You people scare me. I put 4 tires and I'll replace the brakes this week, 111,000 miles
on it and everything on it works fine, New this car cost 35000 I paid 4,000 from a dealer, he wanted 5 but after I pointed out the tires and brake squeal he accepted 4...
I own a 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada and have about 198,000 miles on it. No tune up yet, K&N Air Filter, Mobil 1 Oil Changes and it gets 17 avg mph. Just got to do the traditional maintenance when it is due. I plan on another 100k.