Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
777 owner complaints analyzed
23 distinct recall campaigns
64,442 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 321 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 60 of 777 complaints (7.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 96 | 12.4% |
| Steering behavior | 51 | 6.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 50 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 46 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 21 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 60 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 53 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 50 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 46 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 43 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 40 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 24 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 60; Structure:Body:Door: 53; Engine And Engine Cooling: 50; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 46; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 43; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 40; Electrical System: 26; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 24
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 69 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 92 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 44 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 64 |
| 150,000 and above | 20 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 69; 50,000 to 74,999: 92; 75,000 to 99,999: 44; 100,000 to 149,999: 64; 150,000 and above: 20
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (92). 456 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 23 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 84 |
| 2001 | 86 |
| 2002 | 106 |
| 2003 | 129 |
| 2004 | 125 |
| 2005 | 70 |
| 2006 | 29 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 23; 1996: 22; 2000: 84; 2001: 86; 2002: 106; 2003: 129; 2004: 125; 2005: 70; 2006: 29; 2007: 20; 2008: 15; 2009: 13; 2010: 13; 2011: 11; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 5; 2015: 7; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 96 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 51 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 50 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 965428 · 1995-05-17 (May 17, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED, BRAKES HOSES FAILED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984847 · 1996-05-24 (May 24, 1996)
THE FRONT BRAKE LINE BROKE BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103678 · 2004-12-13 (December 13, 2004)
THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERED FROM THE STEERING RACK, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. NEITHER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE CORRECT VIN TO IDENTIFY THE VEHICLE, AND TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 130,464 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8004585 · 2002-02-26 (February 26, 2002)
STEERING COLUMN BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, AND VEHICLE BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT ON DRIVERS SIDE PULLED OUT OF THE FRAME DUE TO RUST CUSING THE BACK MOUNT BOLT TO BREAK OFF. THE STEERING GEAR BOX IS LOCATED ON THE SAME SIDE. HAS NOT CONTACTED A DEALER. *AK *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8004585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091876 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 97,896 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725282 · 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
THE TRANSAXLE SEAL BLEW OUT AND WE ARE BEING TOLD REPLACING IT MOST LIKELY WON'T HELP, AS IT IS APT TO BLOW OUT AGAIN. 3 INDEPENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AT 80,000 MILES EITHER PROBLEM IS UNWARRANTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130421 · 2005-07-28 (July 28, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER STATES 1991 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE WAS HAVING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. IT WAS A LEASED BY THE CONSUMER. THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE SPARK PLUGS FOR THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING LINE, SHOCKS, BRAKE WORK, AND A TUNE UP. THE ENGINE HAD TO HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER A WARRANTY THAT THEY PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR ANY OF THE PARTS. DEALER SAID THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OR THE VAN ANYMORE. DEALER A COULD DO THE REPAIRS, BUT HE WAS NOT LICENSED TO DO THE WORK. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012183 · 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012183 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 717426 · 2000-01-16 (January 16, 2000)
FUEL TANK COLLAPSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL, LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED ON A ND HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHEN SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. DEALER SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES. COMPANY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS WILL COST $500 TO REPLACE. BEING STRANDED IN ND WINTERS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001469 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
THIS VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLS AND KICKS OUT OR IT WON'T START AT ALL. WHEN IT DOES START, THE VEHICLE CHUGS AND SHUTS OFF, ALSO THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED.*JB *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019946 · 2003-05-15 (May 15, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019946 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1990: 4; 1991: 2; 1992: 2; 1993: 3; 1994: 4; 1995: 2; 1996: 1; 1997: 6; 1998: 7; 1999: 4; 2000: 5; 2001: 6; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1