Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, and it carries 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 5 | 17% |
| Air bags | 4 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 13% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 7% |
| Structure | 2 | 7% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Tires | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DOING 35 MILES AN HOUR. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND I TEE BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
RECALL WAS ISSUED AND A LETTER WAS SENT TO ME, WE HAVENT DRIVEN THE SUV FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE GASOLINE SMELL WHEN WERE SITTING IN IT, AND IT WAS LEAKING GAS, WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT FIXED BUT CANT AFFORD IT.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIRB
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR, MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I REPORTED THIS TO GM. GM REFUSED TO SEND ANYONE DOWN TO INSPECT THE BRAVADA TO SEE WHAT MADE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. GM STATED IT WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE BRAVADA, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME. DRIVER AIR BAG STRUCK ME ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY FACE CAUSING BURNING SENSATION AND REDNESS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 REC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2003 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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
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 CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUS
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.
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 NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN T
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-8
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
Risk: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AN
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
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE
| Reliability raw | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 83 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 5 of them (17%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 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 73/100. 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.