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1. The transmission had just been replaced when I purchased the Olds Bravada. The vehicle ran amazingly well.
2. The alternator went next.
3. The windshield wipers went next with an expensive motor that went out in the wiper control.
4. All of the brakes and rotors have had to be replaced.
5. I had forgotten, when I first bought the vehicle I had to have the radiator taken completely apart and flushed, replacing all coolant in the system. I was told at that time to never use DEX-TRON supplies.
6. My service light continue to display bright red, but no one can find the problem.
7. My air conditioner compressor just stopped working, and it is only in the 90's.
8. The back windshield wiper motor stopped working months ago, but I haven't replaced it yet.
I can't seem to keep up with the costs of the repairs to operate this Oldsmobile Bravada.
I actually love this vehicle as far as a super ride, and the way the vehicle handles on the road, (If I could just keep it on the road!) I had never actually owned a GM product before, so I did not know a lot about the vehicle when I purchased it.
I guess the thing that really bothers me most is the way the Oldsmobile dealers react when you have a problem with their product. I was told that my vehicle did not qualify for a recall on the wipers, yet, there was a recall.
I am totally disappointed in the vehicle and the amount of money that is required to maintain the vehicle in safe running condition. I have a family, a four year old that is transported in this vehicle, but I do not feel completely safe due to all of the equipment failures that this vehicle as encountered.
I truly feel that GM is making a huge mistake by not putting the customer first. GM will offer a line of automobiles, but normally most customers will not trust the advertisement for GM QUALITY a second time. Financially, I think that mistakes like customer service after the sale, will eventually destroy the GM reputation.
$37,500.00--$40,000.00 for a vehicle is a lot of money to pay for transportation that is unsafe for you and your family.
I am a Registered Nurse. In my profession, if I treated my patients the way GM has treated me and my family, what do you think the outcome would be?
Malpractice! That's the term that is referred to in the medical field. I feel that there should be a class action lawsuit filed against the manufacturer of the Oldsmobile Bravada. If all the customers will support each other, I feel that GM may think twice about "Service after the SALE!"
Exterior of Oldsmobile very deceptive, as to what the vehicle is really like. You know what they say: "You can't judge a book by its cover!"
My 1998 Bravada is the identical twin of the lady who posted this message. I have replaced the transmission 3 times, the alternator twice, the suspension was completely redone. The water pump, the fuel pump, the wipers all the way around. The entire ignition system. And I can't even remember the rest. The truck on an average has cost $1000.00 per month in repairs. To a point that I cannot afford to trade it in, and yet cannot afford to keep it not and drive it anyway.
I unlike the lady in the story have owned GM products since I graduated high school in the 1970s. I went though my hot rod stages and sware by GM. But she is exactly correct in the storys that you get about what is covered under recall by the dealers. These trucks are a piece of pooh. Too bad because if GM was really interested in our business they would find a way to make us believe in them again. By the way I own a company that has a fleet of service vehicles all GM Vans and do not have anywhere near the problems that I have with this one. Maybe GM should shed the Olds line before they completely discredit everything good olds ever did... And I do know how to spell Bravada.
I have just read the comments on the olds bravada. i can agree with the two individuals that stated that the bravada is a very poor vehicle. I constantly repair or replace parts on this vehicle. it is a 1999 fully equipped version. problems such as steering, electrical, (headlites go on and off at random), severe gear grind on backing, a/c condenser leak, etc. I believe I have the answer to why I've driven ford products since the early 50's.
I bought a 1998 Olds Bravada which worked OK until about 60k miles. It now has 88k miles and it has been nothing, but trouble since hitting the 60k mark. I have gone through two transmissions, every possible gasket that can leak has leaked, and today I am on my way back the dealer after discovering a puddle of pink fluid on my garage floor under the engine.
Warranties were useless and I had to pay for everything. Each transmission was two weeks in the shop and $2000.
I will never, ever, buy another GM product. Go bankrupt guys, and learn a lesson on how to treat customers.
My 98 Bravada is a pile, but it also has been a brute. It looks the same as the day I bought it, but looks are deceiving, the tranny is thrashed, the electrics and heating work when they feel like it, and I'm fed up. I've decided to strip the vehicle and turn it into a rock crawler with Ford Bronco parts.
We are in the same boat with our daughters 98 bravada. Just a month ago we replaced the rear rotors and now just this week we are having to replace the fuel pump which is going to cost close to $700.00. When will it end!
I had the Same Problems everyone else was complaining about Except I got wise and traded the car before I had to replace the transmission. I was told It was in the Process of going South.
Wow. I had to put my two cents in. I was shocked by the other reviews. We bought our 98 Bravada used in 2002. It had 45,000 miles is now just shy of 100,000 miles. We have drove the heck out of the thing and we love it. Only routine matainence and some problems with the thermostat. I guess we lucked out with this one.
I purchased a 1998 Bravada from a friend. The first thing that I replaced was the fuel pump. It failed because the gas set so long in the tank and rusted the parts. This led to clogging of the air intake and poor fuel performance. I cleaned out the carburetor and fuel injectors and it actually worked. I am going to have to replace tires due to poor alignment, but that was my fault. My A/C compressor did not work when I bought it, which my friend neglected to tell me. I believe that it is very expensive though and the only person that can change the freon is a certified dealer. It is a nice riding and looking car and has over 100K miles on it. I am fairly satisfied.
My husband and I own a 1998 Olds Bravada as well. Just last night the alternator died and left him stranded while he was on a business trip. A couple weeks ago we had new brakes and rotors put on. That was the third time in about 2 months that the brakes were worked on.
It really seems like every single month we have it in the shop for one reason or another. The wipers quit working properly long ago, and we now have a “split” of some sort which allows us to use either A/C or heat, but not both. We have to get under the hood and switch it over to heat when it’s chilly in the mornings, and then switch it back to A/C in the afternoons when it’s warmer.
A part of me still loves the thing, because it’s the car we rode around in through college when we were dating. But the bigger part of me hates it. If the alternator gets fixed today, we’re going to try to trade it in this weekend.
I have to agree with the majority of your posts. I bought a 1998 Bravada used. I guess that is the proper word to describe it, USED.
It has never left me stranded, but the heat only works when you get someone under to hood to make the vents stay open, then you can't breath in there when its warm out because you can't turn the thermostat down. It stays on HOT all the time. I also have problems when my tack hits 3 grand, the motor starts cutting out and spitting and sputtering.
I bought a 1998 Bravada 6 months ago and it has been nothing, but trouble since, now the transmission has gone out, believe I will go back to Fords, sorry Oldsmobile you left a bad taste in my wallet.
I have a 98 Bravada and it sucks. One day it all just started going down hill. Wheel bearings, ball joints, rear wiper motor, and of course the tranny. Hopefully all of this will be saving me some money in the future, because I am forever done with GM.
I have a 98 bravada and have experienced about 85% of the problems others have posted here. I am very unhappy with this vehicles mechanical track record, especially after seeing others with the same parts problems. Found this site tonight while searching for my second new ignition switch in 18 months. Can't afford another dealer install again so I'll do it myself. Hopefully my 2nd tranny will last a few more miles.
Yes I have a 98 bravada and the only problem I have had with it is the fuel pump just went out on me. I changed it and its been running fine I think the reason so many people are having problems with there bravada's or any other car is getting it serviced when it needs to and GM makes it so hard to change the spark plugs on the drivers side that's my only problem.
New Brakes $800
plus, New Suspension $400
plus, today a fuel pump... approx $700
= Quality GM product...