1998 Oldsmobile SILHOUETTE: complaints, problems and recalls

THE METAL FRAME SEAT BOLSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS BROKEN THROUGH THE FOAM CUSION AND HAS BEGUN TO DAMAGE THE LEATHER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS VEHICLE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE METAL WOULD IMPALE THE DRIVER. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE THEY WOULD RECONGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM. A RELATIVE HAS THE EXACT SAME MINI-VAN (YEAR AND MODEL) AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIR FROM AN INDEPEND…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000607 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25MPH ENGINE SHUTDOWN. FORCING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD PUSHING BY HAND. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002156 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLAMP COVERS ON 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE VAN FALL OFF CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW WHEN MOISTURE, SUCH AS RAIN, HITS THE BULB.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002618 at NHTSA ↗

OUR 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS 45000 MILES AND NEEDS A NEW $5000 ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK WHICH ALLOWS CORROSIVE DEXCOOL COOLANT TO LEACH INTO THE ENGINE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER VICTIMS OF THIS FLAW, AND DETAILS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AVAILABLE AT: HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/YOURLEMON/231.HTML HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/GMCNSMRS/PETITION.HTML HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/GM_INTAKE/ HTTP://WWW.GM-V6LEMONS.COM/

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002712 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVER'S RIGHT METAL SEAT BOLSTER HAS DISPLACED PADDING ALLOWING THE SHARP METAL FRAME TO BE EXPOSED BENEATH THE LEATHER. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HARM THE DRIVER IN AN ACCIDENT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002764 at NHTSA ↗

FAULTY INTAKE GASKET ON 98 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE (SAME AS CHEVROLET VENTURE). ENGINE V6 3400. 78000 MILES.

Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003457 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

BOTH FRONT HEADLAMP LENSES HAVE POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE LAMPS TO BURN OUT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMAN PROBLEM, A DESIGN DEFECT, AND REPLACEMENTS OUGHT TO BE FORTHCOMING.

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005688 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-03-08 (March 8, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence: AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. 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.

Reported: 2001-08-21 (August 21, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. 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.

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.

Reported: 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Reported: 1998-04-07 (April 7, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

Reported: 1998-06-11 (June 11, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.

Reported: 1998-06-26 (June 26, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.

Consequence: WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.