Bravada (2002)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LL8
4.2L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Oldsmobile Bravada Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
L35
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LL6
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L43
2.2LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Oldsmobile Bravada, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
On a used 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (53), the engine (51) and the electrical system (47). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada about the electrical system.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 46 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada about the cooling system.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Recalls (10)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show 5 older recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Full-Size SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada complaints?
Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada have?
NHTSA has 238 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls covering some 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Bravada vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Oldsmobile Bravada?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Bravada?
The 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars. Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 238 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.