1996 Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
118,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 17 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 7; 2004: 3; 2006: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10065023 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ENGINE. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168666 · 2006-09-19 (September 19, 2006)
1) VEHICLE STARTED STALLING 2) COOLANT LEAKED INTO OIL 3) HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED AT MY OWN COST $780.00 AND NOT SURE THAT THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724420 · 2000-06-22 (June 22, 2000)
ALTHOUGH I ONLY REPORTED SIX PROBLEMS THERE ARE MORE JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE FORM. THE WINDSHIEL CRACKED WHILE BEING WASHED RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED IT. THE SEAL STILL LEAKS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE POWER WINDOWS. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALSO WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROK…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340273 · 2010-06-27 (June 27, 2010)
I OWN TWO VERY SIMILAR GM MADE VANS, A 1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE, AND A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV VAN. BOTH HAD SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO THE REAR BRAKE LINE BURSTING, IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE! BOTH HAD CURRENT INSPECTIONS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINES ON BOTH VANS. THE FACT THAT THEY FAILED AT EXACTLY THE SAME POINT IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAKES ME THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN THE LINE FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED, I ALSO REPLACED THE SAME LINE ON THE OTHER SIDE AND FOUND IT WEAK AND READY TO BURST. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059773 · 2004-02-25 (February 25, 2004)
WHILE IN REVERSE AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF. THEN, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059773 at NHTSA ↗