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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.
I have a 98 with 112k. The transmission has slipped occasionally since I bought it at 72k miles. I had a transmission service done and it stopped for quite a while. The check engine light comes on intermittently, and I know the bank Oxygen Sensor needs to be replaced. Now the door is busted. It won't close, and looks like the latch on the body somehow pushed itself through the metal. I've always loved this truck, but it's strange too see how many similar problems I've had with some of you. Wiper motor, Serpentine Belt, etc. GM should be responsible to fix wide known problems to their vehicles, no matter how old they are when discovered.