Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 27 | 53% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% |
| Power train | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Seats | 2 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
GRANTED MY VEHICLE IS OLD BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS KEPT IT IN EXCELLENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE PAINTING PEELING WHICH I SEE IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS PPL ARE HAVING MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH THE LIG
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TIRES CONSTANTLY LOST AIR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER BELIEVED THAT DRIVER KEPT DRIVING OVER ROCKS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THE "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" WITHIN THE DISPLAY SHORTED CAUSING THE FIRE. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1991 OLDS BRAVADA I HAVE HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN : TILT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CONSUMER WAS PUTTING ON SEAT BELT WHEN STRAP ATTACHMENT ANCHOR, THAT WAS BOLTED TO VEHICLES FLOOR CAME OUT OF FLOORING, ENTIRE HEAD SECTION CAME APART FROM THE BOLT. HAD BROKEN IN HALF. VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN ACCIDENT FOR
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS PHASES OUT LIKE VEHICLE ISN'T GOING TO STOP BUT IT DOES, THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINTATED, DEALER STATES THAT IT'S JUST A SENSOR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ABS LIGHT COMES ON, PERFORMED SYSTEM CHECK, ECM MALFUNCTION, REPLACED B.P.M.V. WITH E.C.U, REPLACED BRAKE FLUID IN ENTIRE SYSTEM, ADJUST REAR BRAKES. FLUID LEAKING FROM LEFT REAR AXLE, REPLACE L/REAR AXLE SEAL AND BRAKE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
EA 94 038/ ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ABS LIGHT SENSOR REMAINING ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED ABS WOULD NOT OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFED, AND REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT CONSUMER COST OF $1073.00. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 Oldsmobile Bravada. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SHIPPED WITH THE FUEL TANK SENDER SEAL OUT OF POSITION.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, AN OUT OF POSTIONSEAL COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PRESCRIBED BY FMVSS 301.SPILLED FUEL COULD IGNITE NEAR AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Fix: REPLACE SENDER SEALS.
THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH A REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON CAN STICK IN THE UNLATCHED (DOWN) POSITION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS BECAUSE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN MOVE INSIDE THE SEAT BELT COVER. IF THE COVER MOVES FAR ENOUGH, IT CAN CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION WITH THE LATC
Risk: THE REAR BELTS MAY NOT HOLD AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT INCREASING THE RISK OF PESONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THREE REAR-SEAT BELT BUCKLES (ONE ASSEMBLY) WITH A NEW, REVISED DESIGN.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 65 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 27 of them (53%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.