Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Both remote mirrors will not hold their memory. I have had my vehicle into service for this problem four times and the problem still exist. The mirrors move when the key is inserted into the ignition before starting the car. Also, both mirrors will not hold their position after being programed in either the normal driving mode or the "reverse-backing up" (curb view assist) mode. I have to manually move my mirrors each time I get into my car to drive, even if only leaving it for a few moments. I have had one minor accident due to the problem because of the mirrors moving. Please help. Thank you.
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!
Transmission problems, windshield wipers not working, headlights not working, AWD problems, cooling system problems, fuel pump, control arm & ball joint problems are just some of the major safety issues on 96-99 GM blazers, Bravada's, & jimmys. These problems should really be looked into and recalled. Most problems starting right after warranty expired. Can't believe GM is getting away with this. Transmission went bad at 71000 miles and dealer says that they know there was a defect with the transmissions also problem (code 1870) but they will not cover the repair.
Dt: 1998 Oldsmobile bravado, while driving in the rain windshield wipers stopped. Took tvehicle to the dealer ,where consumer bought the car, and they didn't know what caused this, but it could be the module and they could replace the module at the cost, of $200.00. Did not have the work done because they could not duplicate the problem. This has not happened in the last 13 months and now it is starting up again. Talked to the manufacturer, and they could not help consumer. They checked to see if there was any recalls, and there were none.
When driving in the rain windshield wipers quit working. There was no warning. Driver stopped vehicle, got out, and wiggled the wiper arm, and wipers started again. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced the wiper motor.
Power seat shorted out and the dealer repaired the burned and chafed wires, belt tensioner was noisy, the remote locks shorted out and the dealer replaced the receiver module, intake gasket was leaking coolant, rear wiper motor shorted out, fuel sensor shorted out, right axle seal failed causing fluid to leak, multifunction switch failed, the transmission had no reverse, no third gear only first gear. Nlm
The windshield wiper on my 1996 olds Bravada started to work intermittently. The problem, as diagnosed by a GM dealer was a faulty wiper control board/module. This is the fault described on GM recall 03023. But I was told that only some of the 1996 bravadas are covered by this recall (and mine is not). When I first encountered it in June of 2005, I replaced the fuse and everything worked fine for a week or two. Then the problem occurred again, replaced the fuse and everything worked fine for a while. This cycle kept occurring until christmas day 2005 when even replacing the fuse did not help. I do not understand how the same exact problem can be covered on some 96 bravadas but not on others.
The windshield wipers worked intermittently or stopped working during operation. Manufacturer was contacted. Feel free to provide any further information. The Bravada's were recalled for faulty windshield wipers. The consumer was not aware that the motor had to be replaced. Also, the rear windshield wiper motor had to be replaced recently. Recall# 98V150000. The drivers seat had come loose due to the pin coming out of the motor bracket, and steam had come from the windshield and there was wetness on the right side floor, and the A/C was replaced.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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 cause a short circuit or can…
Remedy: 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 and be replaced as…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Windshield wiper failure
The subject vehicles (Chevrolet trailblazer (ext), GMC envoy (xl), and Oldsmobile bravada) are built on the gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the ?family? Design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsense automatic moisture sensitive wipers).the windshield wiper assembly is located inside the plenum at the base…
Windshield wiper failure
On September 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 Chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, GMC envoy and envoy xl, and Oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on January 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain…
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Bravada years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (31), 2002 (30), 1996 (15) and 1997 (14) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Bravada window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 04V-046 (windshield wiper/washer, Feb 4, 2004); 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Bravada window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (33 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer › motor (21).
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.