Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/LOWER CONTROL ARM
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
GM/BRAKE HOSE FRACTURE
- Summary
- 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. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
- Consequence
- PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (98)
98 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The visibility is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 98 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 31 | 31.6% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 19.4% |
| Steering | 12 | 12.2% |
| Suspension | 12 | 12.2% |
| Power train | 9 | 9.2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 7.1% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 5.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 5.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 4.1% |
How 1998 compares with other Bravada years
Best and worst Bravada years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 91 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 77 | 3 |
| 1997 | 104 | 2 |
| 1998 | 98 | 2 |
| 1999 | 60 | 0 |
| 2000 | 76 | 3 |
| 2001 | 33 | 1 |
| 2002 | 238 | 10 |
| 2003 | 27 | 7 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 555 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Bravada for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Oldsmobile Bravada FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 98V053000 (suspension), 97V218000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada problems?
Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. Visibility (31), Electrical system (19), Steering (12) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada get?
EPA rates the 4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined mpg.
How does the 1998 Bravada compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Oldsmobile Bravada model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2002 the most (238). The 1998 drew 98. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.