Check a VIN

1997 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension problems

17 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 83,000.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
83,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Front: control arm: upper ball joint
    9
  • Front: control arm: lower ball joint
    3
  • Front
    2
  • Rear
    1
  • Front: wheel bearing
    1
  • Front: control arm
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Oldsmobile Bravada suspension problems in other years

199120002004

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 14

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball jointReported June 28, 2001 · 48,600 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. Failure of an upper control arm ball joint assembly could occur due to corrosion.
Risk
This can result in impaired steering or steering loss, or a partial or complete collapse of the front suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both upper ball joints. Owner notification began september 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.

Recall number 01V200000 · Recall details

What 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 27, 2013 · Brakes, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · CA

While driving I would hear like a motor running sound that would last approx 5/10 sec. And during this time the brake pedal would rise and get hard and I would have to apply lots of pressure in order for vehicle to stop which does so with grind. I replaced both rotors,calipers,brake pads,mastercylinder and brake booster.ABS light would come on when hit bump and go off after awhile .finally I removed fuse from ABS and problem ceased.in processes of diognosing problem.discovered suspension in front falling apart replaced inner/outer tierods,pitman arm,both upper/lower ball joints,passenger upper control arm and wheel hub.rear windsheild wiper no longer works and windshield wiper freezes during rain which has caused wiper motor to be replaced.driver side door hinges replaced numerous times causing door not to shut properly and doesnt sit level,fuel gauge doesnt read properly when full it reads 1/2 tank and when reads empty its unknown how much gas is really in tank have to rely on miles counter and carry extra gallon of gas.

Filed Aug 7, 2007 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile bravada. He stated that the right front end of the vehicle collapsed. The mechanic stated that the control arm could have caused the failure. There is a recall for the upper ball joints (the federal safety agency campaign #01v200000) however, the VIN was not included as part of the recall. The current and failure mileages were 125,000. Updated 02/08/08.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Suspension · 135,105 miles · OH

Dt: recalls 01i018000 and 01v200000 was issued but not on caller's car. Upper ball joint broke without warning and while driving. Dealer and manufacturer said callers vehicle was not included in recalls due to VIN. Manufacturer said if there was injury or death they would have done something.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Suspension · 80,100 miles · WI

I had been experiencing excessive vibration on the front end of my 1997 old's bravada. I took it in and was told it required ball joints but apparently there is a the federal safety agency campaign id # of 01i018000 in reference to it and that gm had decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to replace them for a peiod of 8yr's or 100,000 miles whichever comes first from the date the vehicle was placed in service. Well, I did that and was told after a total run around as well as the service garage going thru the run around as well calling on it, that it does not affect my 97' old's bravada. So here I am with a truck that is under the stated time of repair by gm with front end work that will cost me over $800.00 to fix and gm does not care. So what was the purpose of having a campaign on the vehicle if gm had not intention of doing anything about it? The service guy at the garage even asked the rep. From gm, "so am I supposed to let the guy drive off with the bad balljoints so his wheels fall off and possibly creating an accident?" she did not respond and said there is nothing they will do. So in the meantime I have a truck that I can not drive much for fear of the wheels falling off, unless I pay for the work to do so. So what was the point of the compaint when gm intended on doing nothing about it? I have had nothing but problem after problem since I bought this car from the dealer a couple of months back and will never buy a gm product as long as I live again. I should have just stayed with my toyota.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · MI

At 80,000 miles I had to have the trasmission replaced. At the time I inquired about the ball joints recall. Dealership told me there was no such recall. 6 months later I took it in because of a clunking sound under the car. They told me I need a new drive shaft, transfer case and ball joints for a total of $3747.00! It's not safe to drive and I don't have that kind of money to fix it. Has been a lemon from the start.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

Ac compressor replaced twice. Flush cooling system (dexcool). Idler arm replaced 48222. Lower ball joints.48222 recalled left rear axle leak.48222 oil cooler lines replaced,48222. Charging system failer replaced alternater 47577 replaced battery 47577 frnt brakes and rotors 45631 fuel sender unit39434 driver side door pin 39434 ses light on oxygen sensor replace AC compressor 35338 clean egr valve 35338 AC compressor 33196 51000 lower ball joints are worn again (dealer replaced original because of recall) put junk back on vehicle.

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Suspension · 85,000 miles · GA

Passenger side control arm, upper ball joint broke while going down driveway at low speed. Wheel was then completely unstable, vehicle immediately parked in driveway as it was too risky to attempt to return to residence.

Filed Apr 17, 2003 · Suspension · 59,598 miles · MT

While getting the tires rotated and aligned the dealer diagnosed that the upper ball joint was loose in the control arms. The technician also found indicated that the lower ball joints wore out. The consumer felt that the failure of the upper ball joint, recall number 01v-200000, should also cover the wear of the lower ball joints. *nlm

Filed Mar 12, 2003 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · NY

The vehicle was difficult to steer, the dealer determined the front ball joints had separated and the front axle was ready to fall off. (both sides).*jb

Filed Feb 1, 2003 · Suspension · 57,698 miles · PA

My vehicle was purchased as used with 33,000 miles, I purchased an extended warranty which has paid for many repairs to date,march of 2002 my vehicle had the lower ball joints replaced under this warranty. I had vehicle inspected private garage and they noted lower ball joint wear, I contacted oldsmobile because the parts were replaced at an olds dealer the manufacturer of my vehicle incident number 1-65943454 they noted contacting dealer and would repair vehicle,and since it was covered under the warranty I purchased would not compensate other repairs,I wanted to file complaint because replacement ball joints only lasted a year and that these were also defective parts. Ts

Questions about the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension

Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 83,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 01V200000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Oldsmobile Bravada have bad suspension?

The Oldsmobile Bravada model years with the most suspension complaints are 2002 (21 complaints), 1997 (17 complaints) and 1998 (12 complaints).

Other 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada problems

Electrical 18Transmission 18Fuel system 16Engine 15Visibility 14Airbags 6Body 6Brakes 6Acceleration 5Lights 5Seat belts 4Steering 4Seats 2Locks 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history