Tl*the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile bravada. While making a left turn at approximately 5 MPH under normal conditions, the vehicle switched from two wheel drive to four wheel drive. The vehicle came to a complete stop. This type of failure is called a crow hop. The contact had to accelerate in order for the vehicle to drive again. While making another turn, the four wheel drive locked. Each time the failure occurred, the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they changed the differential fluid, but that did not correct the failure. Through a service bulletin issued by the manufacturer, the contact discovered that the encoder sensor from the transfer case needed to be replaced and the TCM sensor needed to be reprogrammed. The current and failure mileages were 40,000.
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.
No signs of looming failure. Needs new transmission with less than 70,000. Gm rebuilt transmission comes with 100,000 mile warranty? Clearly a problem that gm knows about but has done nothing.
Dt*: the contact stated the differential locked up intermittently. While the steering wheel was turned to the left, the right wheel locked. The dealership put an additive in the differential fluid, but the problem still existed. Then, they found an electric motor that activated the all-wheel drive to be defective. This caused the steering to lock when turning to left or right. This vehicle has a noise that they can't locate. Updated 06/07/2006. *ak
When making sharp turns (parking space or driveway) front tires bind/catch. Excessive acceleration is needed to continue moving the vehicle forward or back. Vehicle comes to dead stop when moving slowly and turning. Took the vehicle to the dealership and they recommended flushing the transfer case, were going to charge too much, so had it done elsewhere. The problem just continued and seemed to get worse after that was done. Also makes a loud moaning sound when turning. Gas mileage has greatly diminished. Getting under 250 miles/tank now. Very unsafe and dealership service department seem dumb to what's happening. If unable to determine problem, could cause rapid wearing of tires. Have taken it to several places now 4 times since taking to original dealer service center. I'm not even convinced this is a problem with the awd system. Maybe differential? Or cv joints? I don't know, but that's why I trust service technicians.
A problem was noted when making turns. It was diagnosed as a problem with the transfer case as per tsb 020421008a. The dealership did the first recommended step to correct the problem and charged me $417.35. They said it was fixed but after picking up the vehicle and driving approximately 3 miles I noted the same problem. The next step will cost me $547! I have found several references that lead me to believe that tsbs should be covered free of charge! After more research I found at carstats.com that this is a common problem for this make/model and many owners have reported serious problems! How does this turn into a recall??
I have had my 2002 bravada in the shop numerous times for the locking of my awd. The fluid was changed in the transfer case (no help), the module was replaced (no help) and now the whole transfer case is being replaced. The cost is between 1500 and 2000! The vehicle has 80k miles. This is a very serious issue (and it appears that gm is aware of problems-based on tsb's online) especially in northern climates with snow. The control of the vehicle, when turning is lost, as the particular wheel locks up. I also had my fan clutch break, separate from awd problem.
I am the owner of a 2002 oldsmobile bravada awd. This vehicle is equipped with a general motors 4l60-e automatic transmission. I purchased the vehicle used with 58,000 miles registering on the odometer. On september 21, 2005, my wife was traveling to work. She made a left turn onto a major u.s. 4 lane highway when the transmission unexpectedly failed. This caused the vehicle to immediately loose acceleration and forward mobility resulting in her being stranded in the middle of two oncoming lanes of traffic traveling at high speeds. While unexpected mechanical failures can happen to any vehicle in any condition, I have learned this appears to be a frequent failure complaint to this particular gm transmission and it has left many consumers in the same situation. After having the vehicle inspected I was informed by a local transmission repair mechanic that this is a very common problem with the gm 4l60-e transmission. Specifically the transmission part known as the 'sun shell spleen'. Repair cost totaled $1,687. I contacted two local gm dealers and both advised their cost would be in excess of $2,300 for the same service. I then began contacting local gm dealerships in surrounding counties - a total of nine. As I described the problem to the service employees of these dealerships, all immediately mentioned the '...spleen gear.' each confirmed it was commonly known as the sun shell spleen gear. Each of these service personnel advised me their dealerships have replaced these in more than one gm 4l60-e transmissions. On several accounts I learned of same vehicle-multiple replacements and common model year problems of 2001 to current with most failures occurring with less than 50,000 miles. All advised me not to use oem parts when replacing or repairing the transmission of my vehicle. It is my request your agency direct attention towards complaints involving the gm 4l60-e transmission.
Complete transmission failure at 64500 miles.
Dt: caller complained about a transmission problem. The vehicle shuttered, surged and would not shift properly. The dealer could not duplicate the problem therefore could not fix it. The manufacturer was contacted about this problem. This is an ongoing problem. Caller stated the problem happens at all speeds, and even when the vehicle is stopped.
All wheel drive does not engage properly under icy road conditions. Vehicle shifts in and out of 4 wheel drive, causing vehicle to fishtail. There would be a great risk of loss of control at higher speeds than 35 MPH, such as on freeways, under such conditions.
The consumer stated that when making a right or left turn, extreme vibrations occurred in the steering wheel. The dealer stated the problem occurred due to a malfunction within the transfer case. Please give any further details.
All wheel drive failed (water in wiring harness caused loss of programming software). Dealer contacted gm and they downloaded software to reprogram the all wheel drive(transfer case). This software was not the original software installed in the vehicle when I purchased it. I was told that they could not go back to the original software. Ever since this incident the all wheel drive has not worked properly. Vehicle has excessive rear wheel slippage before front wheel drive will engage. I live in snow country and this is not a good thing. When you lose traction the rear end begins to fishtail before the front wheel drive engages and then this is a harsh not a seamless engagement that makes you almost lose control of vehicle. The same holds true when pulling into traffic from a stop, back end loses traction before front end engages this too is a hard engagement that really doesn't give you control of your vehicle. Gm customer assistance was contacted and were unable to help with this problem. Vehicle has been brought back to dealer on numerous occasions for this problem . They have been in contact with gm about this and gm says there is nothing in the works to correct this. Since this problem occured I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle when conditions warrant the use of all wheel drive.
2002 olds bravada SUV. Rear differential failure at 41k miles. Dealer and gm unwilling to cover under any type of warranty. This component will normally out last the vehical. Additionally the dealer tried to sell me a complete differential assembly rather than repairing the unit for a cost of $3200.00. The unit was repaired by a local repair shop for a cost of $2016.00.
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. *nm 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. The boot was found blown while being lifted at the service dealers garage, the gauges (fuel and temperature) read "high." the consumer was told that the problem the awd light was due to the encoder motor, there was a whine noise when the vehicle was in motion,the ground coroded and the transfer case actuator was inoperative do to the awd, when the awd light would come on the vehicle would shut off intermittently and the transfer case control module was replaced and the body control was updated, and the front pads were worn out and the rotors were rusted and pitted.
The owner was driving 50 MPH when one of the wheels that had smarttrak kicked in and spun the vehicle around. The vehicle collided with a camper parked on the street. The consumer was told by the dealership that there was no 4-wheel drive engaged. The same problem recurred three months later. There were no warning lights that warned the consumer of the smarttrak failure.
My 2002 bravada has completely shut down while driving at over 60 MPH twice. The first time was at 4500 miles, the 2nd at 24,000 miles. Besides the inconvenience (we were 400 miles from home, had to be towed 150 miles to a dealership, rent a car, drive home, then return to pick up the car. Second time we were heading out of town on a vacation- had to borrow a car), I was lucky to be able to maneuver the car off the highway when it happened. However, the problem has not been fixed, so this could happen again at any time. The PCM module was replaced both times. The second time the diagnosis said that the speed sensor caused the failure; however it was not replaced. Neither gm nor the dealership will do anything further. This is an unsafe condition that no one seems to care about. I found 28 complaints in your log of this exact problem. Does someone have to be killed before gm will do anything? I am surprised that it hasn't happened yet. A car going 60 MPH on a busy freeway that suddenly loses power, steering and brakes is deadly. This car should be recalled.
The 2002 bravada awd system has serious safety problems.prior to the incident I was commenting to my wife that the vehicle was not handling well in snowy conditions. The all wheel drive engages only after a significant amount of rear tire spin followed by a lurch as the front tires kick in. The awd lurches (engaging and dis-engaging many times as I tired to get under way at a stop light). The vehicle would easily fish tail without any erratic or provoked actions by the driver. When the accident happened I was turning right onto a 4 lane divided main street that was icy/snow packed I was tip toeing around the corner when back tires spun which engaged the awd with a lurch. This caused the vehicle to fish tail to the left, to the right and back to the left as the driver tried to save the vehicle from disaster. I reached a top speed of 17 MPH (barely above idle). Each time the vehicle fish tailed it was made worse by the awd system that lurched (again and again) upsetting the vehicle in its already precarious state. The vehicle slowed to 6 MPH before impact into a light pole.I now have major safety concerns about drivability of this vehicle in slippery conditions. Given the lurching and tail happy nature of this awd system I would rather not drive this vehicle in winter (snow/icy) conditions (which is one of the main reasons that I got this vehicle). I also feel that I cannot sell or trade this vehicle in for fear that the next owners will experience the same lurching and fish tailing conditions with the awd but have more damaging/dangerous consequences. To have gm say that this vehicle is working within specifications is just plain insulting and is the biggest lie Ive ever heard. If anyone else has experienced these drivability problems please open a the federal safety agency case so we can get gm to fix or recall the vehicle.
Not one month after we bought our bravada, we started having problems. First, when backing up, the vehicle would vibrate or shudder. Second, when going around corners, vehicle would vibrate or shudder. Third, when at a stop, I would feel a thump like someone tapped me from behind. This happens on first start up. Fourth item , & the most annoying, when driving vehicle, from 2nd to 3rd gear, you can feel that the transmission is thumping . Its driving me nuts! Plus I don't think that the memory in the side mirrors work. Dealer says they are waiting for fixes from gm. Hmmm, I wonder about that.
Consumer has had multiple, reoccuring problems with new vehicle since first purchased in october 2001. Car has been returned to dealer more than 12 times in 18 months and has placed significant burden on the owner. Vehicle now has new major mechanical problems with both the engine and transmission. Although the vehicle is still under warranty, the large number of persistent problems classifies this vehicle as unreliable and, more importantly, unsafe. Owner has contacted dealer regarding a replacement vehicle (lemon law), however the dealership has directed the owner to the maker company (gm/oldsmobile). The maker has responded by insisting that the warranty was designed for such problems and they have referred the owner back to the dealer for continual repairs. In other words, neither the maker nor their representative dealer is willing to assist the owner in resolving the situation. The dealership has since closed due to owner retirement, as well. More than five complaints have been issued to the maker from the owner by either phone, electronically or mail without any positive feeback from the maker or any attempt to rectify the situation. Note: the incident date listed here is simply the purchase date - all incidents have been continous and on going since date of purchase.*ak 2 windshield wiper failures repaired under warranty 1st at 3,973 miles 2nd at 11,660 miles.
Vehicle engine failure. *mr (manufacturer defect/recall gearshift defect #03v075000) *scc
Transmission shifts hard between first and second gear under light acceleration. Gm service bulletin 03-06-04-018 was performed by the dealer but did not resolve the problem. The dealer is awaiting a solution from oldsmobile. Oldsmobile "customer service" advice was to try another dealer.
Received notice from gm concerning my 2002 oldsmobile bravada, alerting me to the possibility of engine failure due to a cylinder sleeve defect. Gm's proposals is to extend the warranty. This is completely unacceptable, as a safety issue, we all know the inherent dangers of an engine destroying itself at 65 MPH. Please check into this, before people start getting killed. *jb the vehicle's awd drive would not engage until the vehicle reached 25 MPH. The consumer indicated that this fact was not mentioned in the owner's manual or any of oldsmobile's ads.
The all wheel drive system remained engaged while trying to make sharp turns, causing drive train to bind and vehicle to stop forward motion unexpectedly. This has happened on multiple occasions but is intermittent. Vehicle has been to dealer for repair four times without the problem being resolved.
While backing out of the driveway, the front bumper had fallen off. The all wheel drive light was intermittent, there was a vibration in the transmission when accelerating-(could not duplicate), and the service engine light soon had come on. Scc
I reported to the dealer a problem with my '02 bravada in which vehicle shuddering occurred while starting a turn from a stop. I was told the problem was in the all wheel drive (all wheel drive) transfer case and that oldsmobile (gm) was attempting to solve the problem but had not yet (as of 9/17). In 12/02 all wheel drive was inoperative and a faulty transfer case shift control module was replaced on 12/09/02 restoring all wheel drive. On 12/18/02, the transfer case encoder motor position sensor was replaced. Calibration changes were also made to increase to delay in which front wheel engagement occurs and to disengage immediately. Problem: the calibration changes have LED to a very unsafe condition when driving in wet and snow conditions particularly, driving the vehicle in these conditions is very treacherous and risky because significant rear wheel spin occurs (due to the increased delay) until the all wheel drive engages with a lurch. In slow traffic situations this leads to a series of convulsive, spasmodic lurches, with rear end fish tailing, as the all wheel drive engages and disengages uncontrollably. At more moderate speeds, approximately 20 MPH, the fish tailing becomes exaggerated and leads to a spin out (fortunately, there was no other traffic). I have driven 4 wheel drive vehicles for 15 years, all wheel drive for 6 years and have never experienced anything like this. This is truly the most dangerous vehicle I have ever driven in snow, including 2 wheel drive. It cannot be driven safely in even the lightest snow condition. What is the point in owning an SUV if it cannot be safely driven under conditions in which you need it. Dealer service, oldsmobile customer service, and tech service advisor all say the system is performing according to manufacturer specifications. I find that statement to be outrageous.
The vehicle jerked, then slid and became stuck in the snow.
The all wheel drive has fallen twice in a year. Also stated that while driving on the snow the all wheel drive failed to respond which it caused an accident dealer was contacted and stated that the problem has been fix so there is nothing to worry about but consumer does not feel safe on the vehicle. Ts dealer checked and reset wheel alignment to specs. Inspected driveline and front end. Consumer also stated vehicle does not have steady idle. Gm currently working on idle concern. Windshield moulding on passenger side coming off and replaced. Brake pedal fades at stop and cluck inside right rear door panel. No problem found. 4x4 light stayed on. 4wd switch replaced.
Consumer feels the all wheel drive on the vehicle is not safe in snowy conditions. When attempting a turn in the snow the vehciles back end starts to spin. Also when accelerating up a hill, the rear wheels slip. *jg
Front bumper design is dangerous. Gm indicated to me that the clearance of the truck's plastic bumper is eight inches. Bumper fell off backing out of 6-8" of snow on driveway surface. Dangerous driving on winter roads with low front bumper clearance. Other: transmission vibration. Evident when vehicle puchased on 8/29/02. Awd light appeared on and off began dec. 25, 2002. Dealer said awd light problem was resolved on january 7, 2003.
Consumer states that the odometer is not functioning properly. It is recording more mileage that is being driven with the vehicle. Ph
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history