RoadVitals

1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Oct 25, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 23, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts725.9%
  • Brakes414.8%
  • Transmission414.8%
  • Steering311.1%
  • Engine311.1%
  • Interior & seats27.4%
  • Driver assistance13.7%
  • Tires & wheels13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96V015000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Jan 23, 1996
585,182 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
The risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V027000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Jan 4, 1994
157,740 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE FAILS TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SAFETY BELT OF THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT RETRACTOR EXHIBITS A LOCKUP CONDITION. BASED ON THIS INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE BELT LOCKS UP. REPLACEMENT OF THE SUSPECT SAFETY BELT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ03003ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Opened Jan 8, 2003
Closed Apr 10, 2003

IN APRIL 1997, GM NOTIFIED ODI OF A REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLT DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1990-91 U VANS AND MY 1988-91 W CARS THAT COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR.GM IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS EXCESSIVE CREVICE CORROSION OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RETAINER AFTER YEARS OF EXPOSURE IN A SEVERE CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT.THE RECALL COVERED APPROXIMATELY 680,000 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN 14 RUST BELT STATES; INCLUDING ALMOST 70,000 MY 1990-91 U VANS.THE RECALLED VEHICLES RECEIVED NEW REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS. GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE RETAINERS IN THE MY 1992 U VANS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE MY 1992 RETAINERS ARE ALUMINIZED STEEL WITH A 2.5 MM PROTECTIVE COATING OF ZINC/CHROMATE ORGANIC.THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY FIVE (5) FAILURES IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AFTER MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF EXPOSURE.BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THIS RECALL QUERY IS CLOSED.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
PE96002ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE

Opened Jan 5, 1996
Closed Apr 16, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE94070ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRNSAXL OIL HOSE SEPARATES

Opened Sep 15, 1994
Closed Jan 18, 1995

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
EA92035ClosedEngineering Analysis

APV FUEL LINE FIRES

Opened Oct 30, 1992
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 27
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 25, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10097666
Incident
Oct 25, 2004
Transmission
Filed Sep 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10091876
Incident
May 13, 2003
Mileage
97,896 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE WASHER BOLT CAME OUT THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10012041
Incident
Mar 18, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed May 7, 2002
2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, CROSS THE MEDIAN AND ROLL OVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TT

NHTSA ID
565801
Incident
Mar 28, 2002
Seat belts
Filed May 18, 2001

ON VERY BACK ROW OF SEAT ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE SHOULDER BELT IS EXTENDED OUT ALL OF THE WAY AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
888585
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Transmission
Filed Mar 12, 2001

WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION OIL IS OVERHEATING TO THE POINT THAT THE OIL IS BURNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
882763
Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2000

THE RETURN SPRING FOR THE REAR BRAKE SHOES IS INADEQUATE. ON TWO OCASSIONS THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING CAME LOOSE AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE AXLE SHAFT RUBBING AGAINST IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE REAR BRAKES ARE LOST AND ONLY THE FRON BRAKES WOK, RESULTING IN THER PEDAL GOING ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED TO THE BRAKES ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE BRAKES CAME LOOSE AFTER USING THE PARKING BRAKE, WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF REAR BRAKES AND ONLY FRONT BRAKES WORKING, PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THIS TIME THE SPRING DID NOT BREAK AND THE BRAKE PARTS WERE REINSTALLED.

NHTSA ID
736291
Incident
Nov 14, 2000
Filed Sep 7, 2000

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL RECALLS REPAIRED OR NOT THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE

NHTSA ID
730656

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

01880

POWER TRAIN

NO TCC APPLY, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON, TCC SURGE, POSSIBLE P0740, P1870, OR 39 AFTER INSTALLATION OF A REMAN (SRTA) 4T60/4T60E. *TT

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

990730030

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT

970801735026

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Silhouette by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004113158.1
2003365162.3
2002575157.1
2001789157.2
20001148357.0
19991497762.8
199817010859.0
19971049757.6
1996202039.2
1995462051.7
1994364260.7
1993223158.6
1992Viewing272655.2
1991373763.3
1990435960.0
1989001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.