RoadVitals

1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
17
Latest Dec 5, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 170 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 5, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS COMMON IN SOME FUEL TANKS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 70,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10250868
Incident
Jul 31, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 2004

THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THAT COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS FOUND, THAT THE DISC BRAKES ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND THE PADS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE SHOES AND DAMAGED THE ROTORS. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10079610
Incident
May 25, 2004
Mileage
27,800 mi
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Jan 12, 2004

THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. INTERMITTENTLY THE DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS OWN. ALSO ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON. *AK

NHTSA ID
10053838
Incident
Jun 27, 2000
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 2003

BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING (NO INDICATOR LIGHT) AND NO WARNING LIGHTS LIT NOW. I HAVE CHECKED ALL BRAKE PADS, SHOES, WHEEL CYLINDERS AND CALIPERS AND DIDN'T FIND ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED FOR LEAKS ON THE POWER BOOSTER AND BRAKE LINES AND DIDN'T FIND ANY LEAKS. THE LOCAL DEALER HASN'T OBSERVED A FAILURE OF THIS NATURE, I ALSO CALLED OLDSMOBILE (1-800-222-1020) AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016236
Incident
Apr 19, 2003
Mileage
100,003 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2002

ABS MOTOR FAILED DISABILING ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM AT 58,821 MILES. NLM

NHTSA ID
767710
Incident
Sep 23, 2002
BrakesTires & wheelsTransmission
Filed Nov 1, 2001

I'VE HAD BRAKES FIXED, AND HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE! THE BACK-END KEEPS MAKING NOISE EVERY TIME YOU CHANGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE BRAKES SQUEAL A LOT AND THE BACK END SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO COME OFF, VERY LOUD AND VERY LOUD SQUEALING. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WON'T BUY ANOTHER ONE! CAR HAS HAD THESE PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 1998, BUT UNDER A 5 YEAR LEASE, I FEEL STUCK! VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER!*AK

NHTSA ID
753975
Incident
Apr 17, 2001
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 15, 2001

WHILE PASSING A TRUCK, IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE, THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL STUCK. THE VAN SPED OUT OF CONTROL OVER 80 MPH, I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW VAN USING BRAKES AND MANUAL GEARS. I TURNED THE KEY OFF TO STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
748484
Incident
May 9, 2001
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed May 23, 2001

THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ON THE OVERHEAD PANEL GIVES INCORRECT READINGS, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NLM

NHTSA ID
561321
Incident
May 18, 2001
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Apr 23, 2001

IGNITION WILL WORK ON ERRATIC BASIS. WHEN CONSUMER GOES OUT TO START VEHICLE, IGNITION WILL FAIL TO START VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED SERVICE, AND A CAUSE FOR THIS DEFECT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *AK THERE WAS THUMPING IN REAR PERIODICALLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HOOD POSSIBLY COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS RECALL 01V-067 ON SLIDING DOOR POSSIBLY OPENING WHILE DRIVEING. *YH

NHTSA ID
886436
Incident
Apr 23, 2001
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Apr 23, 2001

ON A RANDOM BASIS THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKE SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED SERVICE. CAUSE OF DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK IGNITION LOCKS UP PERIODICALLY. THE HOOD HITS BUMPER AND POSSIBLY COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS RECALL 01V-067 ON SLIDING POWER DOOR. IT COULD POSSIBLY OPEN WHILE DRIVEING. *YH

NHTSA ID
886435
Incident
Apr 23, 2001
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 23, 2001

DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING SERVICE TO REPAIR RECALL 01V067000 NOTICE THAT SHE RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE IGNITION LOCKS UP PERIODICALLY. THERE IS A THUMPING IN REAR WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HOOD HITS BUMPER, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *SLC

NHTSA ID
886434
Incident
Apr 23, 2001
Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2001

PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, AND PEDAL IS HARD. BRAKES GRAB A LITTLE WITH A LITTLE MOTION. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
882816
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed Dec 28, 2000

FAILURE OF PART NOS. 12533714 (SOCKET) AND 12101854 (CONNECTOR) RESULTED IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL TO BE DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
738426
Incident
Nov 27, 2000
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2000

PARKING BRAKE CABLE HAD PULLED LOOSE FROM THE CLIP THAT HOLDS IT TO THE REAR AXLE, ALLOWING IT TO WEAR AGAINST THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER. THIS CAUSED A WEAK SPOT IN THE RUBBER BOOT THAT HOLDS COMPRESSED AIR FOR THE LOAD LEVELLING FUNCTION. THIS CAUSED THE BOOT TO RUPTURE AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LOADED, AND THE LOAD LEVELLING SYSTEM WAS PUMPING UP THE SHOCKS. SINCE THIS WAS AN ONGOING WEAR PROCESS, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE VEHICLE HEAVILY LOADED, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL TO THE VEHICLE. POOR FITUP BETWEEN THE CABLE AND THE AXLE MOUNTS APPEARS TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, AS IT SPRINGS THE CABLE IN A DIRECTION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SEPARATION FROM ITS CLIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
726718
Incident
Jul 27, 2000
Body & structureBrakesFuel system+2 more
Filed Jun 26, 2000

AUT6OMATIC DOOR GASKET FELL OFF, REPLACE WEATHERSTRIP, HARD STEERING, REPLACE STEERING RACK, FUEL PUMP BAD, REPLACED, BRAKE SQUEAKING, REPLACED FRONT PADS DISC BRAKES, REAR WINDSHIELD WASHER SPRAYED INSIDE CAR, REINSTALLED NOSE TO NOZZLE

NHTSA ID
9000930
Incident
Mar 24, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jul 22, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE THREE TO FOUR TIMES, AND DEALER COULD'NT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
842977
Incident
Jun 2, 1999
Brakes
Filed Aug 17, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. STARTED VIBRATING AND THE VAN CONTINUED AT THE SAME SPEED WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN AND WOULD NOT STOP. EVENTUALLY THE BRAKES CAME BACK AGAIN AND THE VAN STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNNY DRY DAY DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THE DEALER NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
826824
Incident
Aug 13, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .