1998 Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 133 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling: 13; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Structure:Body:Door: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 81 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 | 15 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
2000: 15; 2001: 21; 2002: 21; 2003: 21; 2004: 24; 2005: 15; 2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 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 10016236 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING (NO INDICATOR LIGHT) AND NO WARNING LIGHTS LIT NOW. I HAVE CHECKED ALL BRAKE PADS, SHOES, WHEEL CYLINDERS AND CALIPERS AND DIDN'T FIND ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED FOR LEAKS ON THE POWER BOOSTER AND BRAKE LINES AND DIDN'T FIND ANY LEAKS. THE LOCAL DEALER HASN'T OBSERVED A FAILURE OF THIS NATURE, I ALSO CALLED OLDSMOBILE ([phone removed]) AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,003 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053838 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. INTERMITTENTLY THE DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS OWN. ALSO ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004169 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING WHEEL GETS REALLY STIFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THERE IS A RECALL DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM RECALL # 02 V 286 000. CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046110 · 2004-01-27 (January 27, 2004)
THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 02 V 286 000, BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND AND A SLIGHT EFFECT TO THE RIGHT. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093560 · 2004-10-04 (October 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING AT SPEED EVEN AFTER THE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. THE ONLY SYMPTOM JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT WAS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD MORE RESISTANCE THAN NORMAL WHEN PRESSING IT. DOWNSHIFTING GEARS OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE AT A HIGH RPM. HAD TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 60,000 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE P…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,334 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105032 · 2004-12-17 (December 17, 2004)
THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL BEGAN TO MIX TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065041 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC CLEANED THE INJECTOR. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ALL SIX INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784579 · 2000-03-22 (March 22, 2000)
FUEL PUMP HARNESS TERMINALS CORRODED AND FUEL PUMP SENDER FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING, LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099390 · 2004-11-04 (November 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. A BEARING BLEW THROUGH THE LOWER CASING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER FLUID. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPAIRED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 769851 · 2002-11-18 (November 18, 2002)
BATTERY HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY. LEFT STRANDED 8/99, 4/01, 11/02. "NEW" BATTERY INSTALLED EACH TIME. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALER UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS VEHICLE KEEPS "EATING" BATTERIES. SAYS IT IS THE HEAT IN FLORIDA WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 769851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 890098 · 2001-06-11 (June 11, 2001)
DURING WET ROAD/WEATHER CONDITIONS POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED. DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A WATER DEFLECTOR PLATE TO PREVENT WATER FROM CONTACTING POWER STEERING BELT. HOWEVER, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH IN A RAIN STORM, POWER STEERING FAILED, AND BELT FOR ALTERNATOR SLIPPED WHICH CAUSED LIGHT FOR BATTERY ON THE DASH BOARD TO COME ON. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE WET CONDITIONS CAUSED A BELT TO SLIP FROM THE AL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 890098 at NHTSA ↗