1990 Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
130,464 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 23 complaints (30.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 17.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 7 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 7; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 22 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 6; 2000: 4; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049557 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
FRONT AND MIDDLE SEAT BELTS WON'T RETRACT. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049559 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
SPEEDOMETER ISN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN I GOT THIS VAN FROM MY GRANDFATHER (WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER) THE SPEEDOMETER HAD NOT BEEN WORKING FOR A LONG TIME AND IS STILL NOT WORKING. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049559 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 10142177 · 2005-11-08 (November 8, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WAS HEADING FOR INTERSECTION WHEN HE REALIZED THAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. HE HAD TO TURN RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HE THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING. HE DID NOT CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10142177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506852 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734776 · 2000-10-19 (October 19, 2000)
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COIL SPRINGS COME OFF OF RETRACTOR ASSY. THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE THERE IS JUST A SOFT PLASTIC COVER CAP ON THE RETRACTOR ASSY. BELT IS THEN UNUSABLE. IVE HAD BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS COME APART AND ONE IN THE REAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734776 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 801337 · 1996-09-13 (September 13, 1996)
FAILURE OF LAP/SHOULDER BELT, RESTRAINTS WILL NOT RETRACT,ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AND IN THE REAR SEATS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801337 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V164000 · Seats
Reported: 1989-10-02 (October 2, 1989)
THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V046000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1991-03-15 (March 15, 1991)
A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
Consequence: THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.
Remedy: REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V012000 · Structure:Body
Reported: 1992-01-28 (January 28, 1992)
THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.
Remedy: REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V058000 · Structure
Reported: 1997-04-08 (April 8, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗