NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

4.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,421 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Oldsmobile Bravada transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Oldsmobile Bravada Owner Comments

problem #16

Dec 232008

Bravada

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In snowy weather the AWD failed. The truck vibrates when turning in both dry and wet conditions.

- Howards Grove, WI, USA

problem #15

Jul 212008

Bravada

  • 90,000 miles
GM has a knows issue on 02,03 and 04 Bravada, trailblazers, Envoy's and raniers. The transmission cooler lines have a hard interference with the catalytic converter. Once it wears through a steady stream of fluid leak onto the converter. This issue is documented in service bulletin PI01573. They do not feel it is a safety issue even though I see other vehicles have been recalled for the same thing.

- Stevensville, MI, USA

problem #14

Mar 102007

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,500 miles
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.

- Nottingham, PA, USA

problem #13

Sep 212005

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,455 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Humboldt, TN, USA

problem #12

Aug 312005

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,475 miles
Complete transmission failure at 64500 miles.

- High Ridge, MO, USA

problem #11

May 302005

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,769 miles
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.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #10

Jul 222002

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #9

Oct 212001

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles
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. 2 windshield wiper failures repaired under warranty 1st at 3,973 miles 2nd at 11,660 miles.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #8

Jul 282003

(reported on)

Bravada

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,700 miles
Vehicle engine failure. (manufacturer defect/recall gearshift defect #03V075000)

- Woodlyn, PA, USA

problem #7

Dec 262002

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,410 miles
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

- Batavia, NY, USA

problem #6

Dec 262002

Bravada 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,410 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Batavia, NY, USA

problem #5

Apr 302002

Bravada

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving heard a loud noise, felt like transmission had fallen from underneath vehicle.when turning or parking steering wheel will lock up.dashboard went dark, vehicle cut off. Contacted dealer.they replaced 5 times transfer case.

- Detriot, MI, USA

problem #4

Jul 112002

Bravada 4WD

  • miles
This is an AWD vehicle which is slipping into AWD when it is not needed (dry pavement) and then stays that way. It is necessary to take it to the dealer for service as they have advised that GM is aware of the problem but hasn't found a permanent solution to it. My concerns are: Decreased steering control when turning a sharp corner on dry pavement because vehicle is in AWD, the decreaed gas mileage by driving around in AWD and the potential for damage or early replacement required for the tires which will be worn prematurely. Since GM is discontinuing all Oldsmobile, my concern is also that they will just continue to have the dealer reset whatever to get the vehicle back into 2wd whenever it happens, instead of fixing the problem.

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #3

Oct 102001

Bravada 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Memory mirrors do not return to their position after coming from reverse. Consumer must adjust mirrors, while driving, to get the back to the proper position. Passenger side seat belt locks while braking. Consumer must unfasten the seat belt - while moving - recoil and then fasten seatbelt to release pressure. Transmission downshifts 15-30 seconds after coming to a complete stop in cold weather. Downshifts are hard (feeling like vehicle has been hit from behind) and long (time between gears).

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #2

Dec 052001

Bravada 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After startup, fan noise was very loud and remained loud while driving. Got louder when accelerating and transmission seemed sluggish. Dealer replaced fan but problem reoccurred.

- Great Barrington, MA, USA

problem #1

Jul 052001

Bravada

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When accelerating there is a loud whine up to 3rd gear. Also, while driving 55 mph vehicle shifted into 1st gear. Dealer had no explanation nor remedy to offer.

- Henderson, NV, USA

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