Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Front Control arm broke at the frame. There is a recall for this control arm issue for a 2002 Bravada but, my vin was not included. 01V126000 is the NHTSA. The control arms fractured causing separation from the frame. Bravada is at service shop and they have confirmed the frame separation from control arm. This is very dangerous and has caused it to be unsafe and deadly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. The contact stated that driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise occurred. The contact placed the vehicle in gear and there was lateral movement of both rear wheel without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that both driver's and passenger's side rear suspension outer link brackets were severely corroded, and the front control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no further assistance was taken. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 01V126000 (suspension) as a possible solution to the failure for the front suspension however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,300.
At 60K miles had to replace transmission and motor (with 2003 Chevy blazer). Mirrors don't recall and move when unlocking car. Passenger seat belt gets tight after braking and has to be undone, recoiled, and put back on. Backup lights blow every year. The AWD was fixed twice by dealer and messed up again so we had it removed. The air suspension blew & was replaced with springs. Terrible racket in the rear end. Driver heated seat quit working 2 years ago. This year, transmission has quit working (while driving) and I am over this car!
2002 olds Bravada (which we have owned since 9/2004) was being driven by my teenage son (with 3 other kids in the vehicle), as he left a stop sign, the frame of the vehicle broke loose from the body, separating the control arms from the frame and dropping the rear of the vehicle. He was traveling approximately 20mph at the time of incident. He managed to get to the side of the road where the vehicle came to rest in a ditch, a semi-safe distance from traffic. The vehicle was towed 11/10/12 am to a nearby GM dealership. The estimated cost of repair begins at nearly $7000., which would exceed the vehicles value. The GM dealership, to which the vehicle was towed, has advised us not to repair the vehicle as it would be too extensive. …
This Bravada had been recalled and the part replaced. While exiting a parking lot at slow speed the steering failed, car fell to the right and into a telephone pole causing extensive damage. The part that failed was the part that was replaced during recall. GM, after investigating, is claiming no responsibility for this incident. Fortunately no one was killed at a higher speed. Something must be done to prevent anyone with this type of vehicle from being injured or killed.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. The contact stated that the shock system failed and the vehicle would bounce around similar to a bouncing baby. The airspring on the vehicle would continue to crack. The dealer stated that the repairs would cost over $1,000. The dealer also stated that the previous owner had repairs made to the shocks and springs. No additional repairs have been made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were less than 162,433.
Airbag suspension releases air unevenly as you are driving, causing the vehicle to swerve back and forth, feeling like it is going to flip. The airbags should not release air at all while you are driving. My vehicle is unsafe to drive over 30 MPH. And sometimes upon starting the vehicle, they won't air up at all, sometimes for days at a time, or one side airs up and the other doesn't.
While going home the other day, it felt as though my shocks went out when I drove over a little bump. When I got home, the back end of my car had dropped. My car has approximately 74,000 miles. I took it to a garage and found that the air compressor in the back end had failed.
On 12/11/02, I was driving my 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada in rush hour traffic and was traveling in the passing lane going at a speed of 70 MPH when my speedometer dropped to 30 MPH and my brake pedal was to the floor of the vehicle. Unable to accelerate. The dashboard displayed : service brake system and contact OnStar displayed also. I, somehow, merged to the right lane of the expressway and at this time, my brakes were still to the floor and the speedometer was continuing to decline. Steering was difficult. I was able to get off the road, but the car stopped itself without me applying brakes. I put my car in park and the car at this time was stalled. I tried to restart the vehicle but was unable due to the car being "dead". I contacted the GM roadside assistance toll-free # to notify them of my problem and they supplied me with a # to refer to in case a tow vehicle did not arrive. …
Tires are wearing uneven, cannot be balanced. Tires were replaced, shocks and struts replaced twice. Cv joint was replaced as well. Dealer is unable to remedy the problem. Oil leaking from front shock, shock was replaced. Banging noise on drivers side front when going over bumps. Strut was leaking and was replaced. Brakes failed while driving resulting in a rear end collison. Brake pdal feels mushy. Passenger side fog light out. Blown fog lamp bulb replaced. Replaced failed passenger front turn signal bulb. Driver and passenger power mirror will not move left or right. Mirror switch replaced. Front bumper cover is loose and rattles. Grinding, clunking and whining when going over bumps or making turns. Steering shaft replaced. Transmission leaking. Replaced rear main seal, removed 02 sensor and converter due to damage. Surging problem with the engine. Dealer could not duplicate.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. Owner notification began by telephone on April 4, 2001. The followup letter to consumers was mailed May 3, 2001.
Suspension complaints in other Bravada years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, 9% of the model year's 238 complaints. The component named most often is rear (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-126 (lower arm, Apr 12, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.