Oldsmobile›Bravada›2003›Overview/oldsmobile/bravada/2003/base/

2003 Oldsmobile Bravada

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Bravada.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada is a midsize SUV equipped with a four‑speed automatic transmission and an engine that takes 4.5 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 14 city, 20 highway and 16 combined mpg. Owner‑reported data show 30 total complaints for the model year, with the power‑train category leading the issues and seven recalls issued. In the broader 1991‑2004 Bravada history, 2003’s complaint count sits well below the 243 recorded for the peak year of 2002 and only modestly above the 13 reported for the final 2004 model, indicating a relatively clean reliability profile for this generation.

Model year2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731179. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179
Engine air filter	19239713
Fuel filter	19368932 discontinued
Spark plug	12681663
Battery	88866121 alt 88866306
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	12593774
Thermostat	12561155 alt 12620112

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	72 in
Wheelbase	113 in
Curb weight	4627 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 20 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	8.85 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	41-981
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	50.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	57.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-57
Engine Compression	215
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle	77 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs / 38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.14 in / 0.787 in / 1.03 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.14 in / 0.787 in / 1.03 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Oldsmobile Bravada's federal record shows a significant escalation in technical service bulletins (TSBs) and complaints that peaked in 2002, which recorded 243 complaints and 611 TSBs. In contrast, the 2003 model year marks a sharp decline in consumer complaints to just 30, a downward trend that continued into 2004 with only 13 complaints. For 2003, the most frequent complaint areas were the Power Train (5), Air Bags (4), and Electrical System (4), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Despite the lower complaint volume, 2003 still saw 7 recalls and 6 investigations, which is higher than most years prior to 2002. Because it sits in a period of sharply decreasing complaints following the generation's most volatile year, 2003 is a relatively good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

605

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’03’04

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train5

Air Bags4

Electrical System4

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Fuel System, Gasoline2

Structure2

Steering,Electrical System,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V198000Exterior Lighting:Turn SignalReported 05/05/2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE…

04V527000Exterior Lighting:Brake LightsReported 01/11/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 605 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Bravada. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 19239713 Fuel filter 19368932 Spark plug 12681663

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Bravada take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Bravada have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Bravada get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.