1996 Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007776 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
INTAKE GASKET FAILED ALLOWING OIL AND COOLANT TO INTERMIX AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. ENGINE HAD ONLY 84000 MILES ON IT AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED.
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016712 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
COOLANT LEAK DESTROYED THE ENGINE - THERE WAS NO WARNING - SUDDEN STOP ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024614 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
NHTSA RECALL 02-V-286-000: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL PROBLEM ALSO WAS IN HIS VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031230 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033881 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WAIT 2 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON SIX OCCASION S,AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034267 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040798 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE NEVER DEFLATED WHILE SEPARATING . THE TRACKS FROM THE MATERIAL OF TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. FUTURA, SIZE P205/70R15, DOT# HYM0S8M420. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040798 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V286000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion
Reported: 2002-11-04 (November 4, 2002)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗