NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 40 owner complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada. Most complaints involve power train (11) and engine and engine cooling (8). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH COULD DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND THE REAR HAZARD LAMPS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AND TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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. TO GET ME HOME A LOCAL GARAGE, IN ATLANTA GEORGIA, FIXED IT TEMPORARILY SO I COULD MAKE IT HOME, WITH TIE TRAPS, NEW FILTER, REPAIRED FUEL LINE AND O-RING. I AM OUT ABOUT $446. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TBC CEO & SENIOR STAFF AT TCB CORP AND EXEC'S AT TIRE KINGDOM, OVER THE LAST 7 WEEKS BY E-MAIL & MAIL AND CERTIFIED…”
“I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE POSTED 55MPH SPEED LIMIT WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO POWER AS IF THE IGNITION FOR THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. WITH THERE BEING NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE, I COULD ONLY ALLOW THE MOMENTUM OF THE VEHICLE ROLL TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. I HAD NO USE OF TURN SIGNALS OR HAZARD SIGNALS. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER SAFELY, I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND COLD ONLY SEE THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT ON, NO OTHER LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, REINSERTED THE KEY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, NONE OF THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO REPEATEDLY TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND THEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, I WAS THEN ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS NORMAL AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A MOMENT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND BACK HOME. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT SIMPLY FOR THE FACT THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A VERY HIGH SPEED AND DURING TRAFFIC TIME. I ALSO HAD MY CHILDREN…”
“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. [XXX] *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bravada AWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Bravada AWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L, FFS MPFI · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (11), engine and engine cooling (8), service brakes, hydraulic (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).