Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 and coast the Bravada onto dublin road (turning left) and get it stopped off the road under the overpass. The Bravada would not restart, and the key would not release from the ignition switch. Crestview Cadillac could not diagnose the problem. Decosky motors in mount vernon, oh (where the vehicle was purchased new) knew right away what the problem was because they had had multiple incidents of the same issue on quite a few GM vehicles already at that time (May, 2006). My vehicle is not among the vehicles being recalled by GM. It should be, and GM knew of the issue way back in 2006!! I am wondering if my vehicle will do it again. …
This vehicle has been driven less than 40,000 miles. It has been driven only on highways and city roads. It is kept in a garage where my other vehicle and previously own automobiles are kept. While it was being serviced, it was discovered that the inboard sides of the brake rotors were severely rusted to the extent that the adjacent brake pads were effectively destroyed. It was apparent that the condition would soon cause a major brake failure. Consequently all four rotors and brake pads were replaced. The mechanic at the dealership indicated that around the time the vehicle was built the steel used in the rotors was changed. None of my other vehicles, all older, Ford and GM models, all kept in the same garage, one with 105,000 miles, has shown this type of condition. I consider this premature rust build-up a serious safety hazard.
While driving,the steering wheel started rocking back and forth without warning. The driver applied the brakes,the pedal went to the floor. The driver was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and skidded into a concrete barrier head on. Both frontal air bags did not deploy. The driver and passenger sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please fill in additional information. Vehicle did not skid but was taken quickly and sharply to the left into the median and impacted a curb like barrier damaging vehicle. However vehicle was not totaled. Thought to have experienced a blow out but not confirmed. Problems with steering was also evident.
The 4wd stopped operating during inclement weather and caused the vehicle to fish-tail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five times for this problem. The mechanic informed the consumer that there was no remedy for this problem. The vehicle had the tendency to spin wheels/fishtail and would slide uncontrollably. The dealer informed the consumer that there was a problem with the all wheel drive and that when the fix is found, there May still be a posiibility that the problem will return. The service dealer was unable to duplicate the problem with the all wheel drive light. …
My 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada had a spontaneous brake failure. The left rear brake line was found to be extremely corroded. The brake fluid escaped and the brakes failed without warning. Fortunately, I had stopped at a store on my way to work, upon leaving, I started the engine, pressed on the brake to shift into reverse to back out of the parking space, and the pedal collapsed to the floor. Upon examination, there was brake fluid all over the ground and dripping from the suspension. The towing charge was $55.00 and the repair to replace the corroded brake line was approximately $200.00 I have in my possession the section of corroded brake line. I hope that someone takes my frightening experience seriously. [redacted]
Subject: gross mechanic error , possible fire / explosive situation while in palm bay fl, I had my fuel filter changed at tire kingdom for about $90. Their mechanic installed a fuel filter that rattled / defective and he destroyer the fuel line it mounted to. The tire kingdom mechanic, threw out the plastic fuel filter bracket and brake line holder because it was too rusty. I was told this a week later by the manager. I lost about two tanks of fuel getting to atlanta, ga. I stopped for lunch and noticed a 4 foot circle of fuel under my Bravada. I looked under the vehicle and couldn't believe what a hack job tire kingdom did. My vehicle could have caught on fire and blew up!! There should be fines for such a gross incompetence and causing a dangerous condition. If the fuel would have sprayed on the exhaust pipe the vehicle would have caught on fire. …
Purchased 96 grand am in 98 found it to be wrecked after I traded in 02 for old's Bravada with mileage roll back at bad dealership multiple problems several wrecks due to manufactures defect let go back to gmac financing because bad dealers could finance bad deals through them. Please contact me asap!!!!!
Brake rotor failure after a little over 40,000 miles my brakes started pulsating and I had, at best, 60% of the normal braking power. Braking is so poor that ABS won't activate even with full braking action. I removed the pads and rotors only to find that the rotors were disintegrating. Apparently, on many models including the 2000 Bravada such as mine, GM is using a bi-metal rotor. After 30,000 miles of braking the heat will eventually cause separation of the two metals and flaking of the surface of the rotor along with abnormal rusting and pitting on the rotor surface. I have read several reviews posted on edmunds.com stating the same problem. GM customer service denies any problem as well as any other complaints and is unwilling to fix it.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on May 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
NHTSA investigations
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Bravada years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (31), 2002 (13), 1999 (10), 1998 (7) and 1997 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Bravada brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-151 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Apr 23, 2003); 97V-218 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Nov 24, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Bravada brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (33 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (9).
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.