Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 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 | 62 | 60% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2% |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES OVER A DAMP PATCH ON THE ROAD AND APPLIES THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCRE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE TURN SIAGNAL SWITCH IN GM CAR INCLUDING THE CUTLASS MONTE CARLO AND GRAND PRIX FROM 94 TO AT LEAST 95 OR 96 IN WITCH THE SWITCH FAILS AND YOU WIND UP WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR TURN SINGALS I KNOW THI
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
FUEL PUMP/ AFTER DRIVING UP A HILL I WENT TO MERGE INTO A LANE, MY CAR STALLED LOSING ALL POWER AS A CAR NEARLY RE -ENDED US I QUICKLY STARTED IT AGAIN TO IMMEDIATEDLY STALL AGAIN. TOW TRUCK CAME AND IT SITS AT THE HOUSE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
FRONT IMPACT TO SUV LEADING TO ENGINE BURSTING INTO FLAMES, KILLING OCCUPANT! FUEL LINES RUPTURED AND SPRAYED HOT MOTOR WITH PRESSURIZED FUEL! DRIVER WAS ALIVE AFTER IMPACT! DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT SUV DUE TO BODY DAMAGE F
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THERE WERE BRAKE PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ABS BRAKES SENSORS ON THE FRONT WHEELS. AS THE DIRT GUARD RUSTED, PARTICLES OF THE PLATE HAD
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATION FLASHED WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT BLINKED, THEN THE RED BRAKE LIGHT BLINKED WHEN THECO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE VEHICLES ACCELERATOR STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SURGE EVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT TWO DAYS LATER THE ACCELERATOR WAS STILL STUCK AND TIRES JUST SPIN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
AT 13 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE REVVED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 68 MPH. AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKES THE ENGINE REVVED UP. THE VEHICLE HIT A FIRE TRUCK, THE CONSU
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1994 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 R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PR
Risk: A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.
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).
THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH THE WRONG OWNER'S MANUAL, AND, THEREFORE, THE CORRECT INFORMATION REGARDING SAFETY BELT USAGE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE OWNER. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Risk: UNBELTED OCCUPANTS OR OCCUPANTS USING SAFETY BELTS INCORRECTLY ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING THE SAFETY BELT IN THE CORRECT MANNER IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: OWNERS AND OLDSMOBILE DEALERS ARE BEING MAILED THE CORRECT 1994 OLDSMOBILE BRAVURA OWNER'S MANUAL AND WILL BE ASKED TO INSTALL IT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPARTMENT AND REMOVE AND DISCARD THE INCORRE
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 65 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 62 of them (60%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. 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.