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2003 Oldsmobile BravadaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
69
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years55% below the Bravada median · #12 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints277 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage56kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 2, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada has problems

27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system70
Power train61
Air bags43
Fuel system, gasoline20
Seats21
Engine and engine cooling20
Fuel/propulsion system20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Steering20
6 other systems70

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2003 Oldsmobile Bravada recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Recall 05V-198 · May 5, 2005 · 286,478 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 04V-527 · Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 04V-046 · Feb 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-151 · Apr 23, 2003 · 44,653 vehicles

Risk. IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-075 · Mar 6, 2003 · 511,167 vehicles

Risk. THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 02V-222 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Bravada year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Bravada median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Oldsmobile Bravada safety ratings

2003 Oldsmobile Bravada 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA04002 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-046
  2. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  3. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  4. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE03042 · closed Jan 6, 2004
    No recall
  5. FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELINGPE04001 · closed May 7, 2004
    No recall
  6. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Bravada owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HEADING WEST ON EMERALD PARKWAY BETWEEN RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND DUBLIN ROAD IN DUBLIN, OH MY BRAVADA STALLED, THE GAUGES WENT WILD, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I MANAGED TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC AND COAST THE BRAVADA ONTO DUBLIN ROAD (TURNING LEFT) AND GET IT STOPPED OFF…
Complaint 10607246 · Jun 30, 2014 · 19,780 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 120 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER…
Complaint 10597339 · Jun 10, 2014 · 107,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. AFTER FOUR MINUTES, SEVERAL LIGHTS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE BUT NOT ALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES THE IN A 45 MINUTE TIME SPAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Complaint 10487860 · Dec 10, 2012 · 74,232 miles

Own a 2003 Bravada?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.