Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. While driving 30 MPH, there was an burning odor under the passenger seat. The contact noticed that the seat was melting from the bottom and was dripping onto the carpet. The contact pulled the fuse box wires from under the passenger seat to prevent the seat from burning; however, the seat was still getting hot. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. In addition, the engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated and the reduced engine power warning light flashed. The vehicle had a drastic reduction in speed while traveling approximately 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than twice and they were not able to replicate the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V527000 (exterior lighting) and was waiting on the part for months to receive the recall repair and was unable to confirm when the recall would be completed. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000. Ma 10/15/2015
Going about 50 MPH on interstate when engine lost power. Had multiple warning lights and messages, including ABS and service brakes. Pulled off on exit ramp and stopped on grass completely off travel lane. Tried to restart engine several times with no success. Before I could take other action, I was hit in the left rear by another car, which pushed my vehicle about 50 feet back into the travel lane. Damage to rear quarter panel, bumper, and tailgate. My vehicle had to be towed to dealer. Dealer was able to start on first attempt. No problem found with engine. Only ABS code in computer.
Traveling apx 5-10 MPH down a hwy slowing down and approaching an intersection with traffic light the engine stalled/quit completely and would not restart. I had to push the vehicle with help to the side of the road. After about 15 minutes the engine restarted. This vehicle was recalled for this issue several years ago (rc 04048) and was taken to the dealer by myself on 1/21/05 as soon as I was notified of the recall. Looking at the invoice that I still have in my files today it claims a wire jumper harness and strap was installed. Seems like this fix has failed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose or repaired. However, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the magnetic pick up sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Consumer has had multiple, reoccuring problems with new vehicle since first purchased in October 2001. Car has been returned to dealer more than 12 times in 18 months and has placed significant burden on the owner. Vehicle now has new major mechanical problems with both the engine and transmission. Although the vehicle is still under warranty, the large number of persistent problems classifies this vehicle as unreliable and, more importantly, unsafe. Owner has contacted dealer regarding a replacement vehicle (lemon law), however the dealership has directed the owner to the maker company (GM/Oldsmobile). The maker has responded by insisting that the warranty was designed for such problems and they have referred the owner back to the dealer for continual repairs. In other words, neither the maker nor their representative dealer is willing to assist the owner in resolving the situation. …
Engine stalls driving at highway speeds. Lost brakes, steering, no control of vehicle. Luckily was on small highway, able to coast to stop and have car towed. Mechanic unable to replicate problem after keeping and driving vehicle for 10 days. Searched issue online. Horrified to read hundreds of same complaint; same vehicle, same year. Horrible stories of resulting accidents. Now news full of "ignition switch failure" issues. Believe this is what happened to me. GM not offering advice and claims no responsibility. Says "too many keys on key chain." 2 keys on mine. Vehicle not on GM recall list. Bought second hand in 2011. Now too scared to drive it. Still owe $5,000 on car. Cant afford to add that to new loan. Will not sell it to unsuspecting soul who May be killed.
The car shuts off suddenly and all of the gauges light up. The car must be restarted, sometimes multiple times. This presents a danger as the car May suddenly lose mobility on a highway. It seems that this May be related to multiple postings on the internet that claim this symptom is caused by a voltage spike to the computer generated by the air shocks. This car was built September 1,2001 and was supposedly included in a recall but the dealer claims that there is no recall on this car and if it was repaired under the recall, once the repair is done it is impossible to find it on the GM computers and the recall would then not be in effect for this vehicle. If it was repaired and the problem still exists, these vehicles should be removed from the road.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was at the car wash in 2003 there was a water leak on the passenger side. The right power window would not rollup or down and this occurred intermittently. The dealership could not duplicate the problem. Two-three weeks ago while trying to get the window to roll down, the engine died suddenly without warning. This was the third time the engine died suddenly. The first was while driving 60 MPH on a dry highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealership who could not duplicate the problem. The second time, the vehicle restarted after sitting a short while on the side of the road. The cvcs boots on the front wheels blew and were replaced twice. The headlights were replaced three times.
I have a 2002 GMC safari van. The heater core is located in the front of the passenger compartment. It is covered by an uninsulated plastic cover, which when the heater is on gets extremely hot. My wife accidently touched it with her leg and burned herself. I have been having the car serviced by a Chevrolet dealership which is more convenient to me. They claimed it was working correctly. I took it, at there request to a GMC dealership, at my own expense in albany, ny and they claimed it was designed that way and they could do nothing about it. GMC refuses to do anything about it, claiming it was working properly and that was the design. This is definitely a design flaw which is easily correctable. GMC case # 1-343963559
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wiring harness. The recall will begin on August 19, 2004. Owners should contact Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALL
Of the 697 total complaints, 240 were received for theenvoy and 457 for the bravada.GM has identified about 5,000 warranty claims related to stalling in the subject vehicles.GM reports that a transient voltage spike generated in the ecas degrades the performance of the PCM resulting in engine stall.GM modified the ecas wiring bundle and the PCM for vehicles built after December 6, 2001 to address the stalling…
ENGINE STALL
Model year (my) 2002 bravada and certain my 2002 envoy vehicles with optional electronically controlled air suspension (ecas) May be subject to engine stall caused by an errant voltage spike transmitted to the powertrain control module (PCM).in addition to engine stall, if the spike damages the PCM, the vehicle May not restart.on October 31, 2001 GM introduced into production a wiring harness containing an inductor…
Engine complaints in other Bravada years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, 21% of the model year's 238 complaints. The component named most often is engine (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-289 (engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.