1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,519.

NHTSA ID

10466669

Incident

Jul 12, 2012

Mileage

107,519 mi

WHILE DRIVING VAN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED HOT AND HEATER STOPPED BLOWING HOT AIR FEW MINUTES LATER IT COOLED BACK DOWN AND STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR AND IT CONTINUED TO DO THAT OVER AND OVER PUT A THERMOSTAT IN IT AND IT DID NOT HELP IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING IT IS FULL OF WATER STILL NOT BLOWING ANY WARM AIR OUT AND STEAMING OUT THE EXHAUST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10442808

Incident

Dec 24, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY REMAIN IN PARK IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT LINKAGE CABLE WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE DOOR LATCH AND SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 05/05/11

NHTSA ID

10386019

Incident

Feb 27, 2011

Mileage

120,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT. AS THE VEHICLE STARTS, THE COMPUTER RUNS THROUGH IT'S CHECKS, EVERY NOW AND THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RE-STARTED. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON OR TURN OFF DURING START-UP. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10376717

Incident

Jan 14, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE MINIVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH UNEXPECTEDLY THE TIRE FLATTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RUSTED SPARE TIRE CABLE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,430.

NHTSA ID

10326388

Incident

Apr 6, 2009

Mileage

124,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 7, 2002 PER RECALL 01V067000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH. THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR LATCH. THE MANUAFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIME ALLOTED FOR A SECOND REPAIR HAD EXPIRED DUE TO THE VEHICLES MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,694 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,382.

NHTSA ID

10280652

Incident

Jan 7, 2002

Mileage

128,382 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL OIL LEAK. THE OIL LEAKAGE INCREASES THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

10266634

Incident

Mar 8, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO 800 ULTRA TIRES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 70-72 MPH, BOTH FRONT TIRES AND ONE REAR TIRE FLATTENED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS DRIVING UNEVENLY. THE TIRES FLATTENED INSTANTLY. THE FOURTH TIRE HAS CRACKS IN IT AND IS ABOUT TO FAIL LIKE THE OTHERS. THE TIRES HAD 20,000 MILES AND 75% PRORATION REMAINING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10241839

Incident

Aug 30, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY 1998 OLD SILHOUETTE HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED AT 69, 000 MILES AND THEN 8 MONTHS AT 73 000 MILE MY CAM BROKE IN HALF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 25 TO 30 MPH UNKNOWN WHY OR HOW MUCH MORE DAMAGE IS DONE AT THIS TIME. INVESTIGATOR IS COMING OUT TO CHECK WHAT HAD HAPPEN . *TR

NHTSA ID

10228077

Incident

May 15, 2008

Mileage

73,000 mi

WE PURCHASED A VAN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER IN 04/2006. IT WAS USED PREVIOUSLY BY ONE OWNER SINCE BEING PURCHASED NEW. IN NOVEMBER 2007- IT BEGAN OVERHEATING AND LOSING COOLANT. THE DIAGNOSIS IS NOW REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. GM HAS REFUSED TO HELP THEIR CONSUMERS IN ANY WAY IF THERE IS NO WARRANTY. AS WITH ALL PROBLEMS THESE COULD FAIL DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, MILEAGE, AND OR AGE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE CASE IN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS INCLUDING MY OWN! *TR

NHTSA ID

10210764

Incident

Nov 30, 2007

VEHICLE DRIPPING FUEL FROM FUEL LINE UNDER VEHICLE. WHEN FUEL LINE WAS INSPECTED TO FIND CAUSE IT BEGAN SPRAYING FUEL AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE. FUEL LINE WAS CORRODED THROUGH FROM THE OUTSIDE. FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10169042

Incident

Sep 10, 2006

Mileage

100,800 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS 01013. THE NHTSA RECALL # IS 01V264000, THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN MARCH OF 2003. THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO STAY LATCHED AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE DEALER IS WILLING TO ASSIST AFTER THE CONTACT PAYS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE.

NHTSA ID

10152386

Incident

May 1, 2003

Mileage

89,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PINCH WELD AREAS ON THE WINDSHIELD ARE RUSTING. THE WINDSHIELD PROFESSIONALS DISCOVERED THIS WHILE REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD IN THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE TOP, BOTTOM AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. *NM

NHTSA ID

10147729

Incident

Jan 11, 2006

Mileage

65,444 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE SPARE TIRE CABLES BROKE UNDER THE VEHICLE . THE SPARE TIRE FELL AND WAS LOST. *AK. ALTHOUGH NO ONE SUSTAINED INJURIES, WITNESSES WALKING ON A SIDEWALK NEAR THE INCIDENT EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION IF IT OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY OR AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH OR IN CASE OF A HIGH PEDESTRIAN AREA. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF 01/14/2006. *AK UNDER VEHICLE MOUNTED TIRE WAS DISENGAGED FROM FACTORY CABLE MOUNTING WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE CABLE FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BE LOST. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS INJURED, WITNESS WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK NEAR THE INCIDENT EXPLAINED TO THE CONTACT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION IF IT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY OR AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH OR IN CASE OF A HIGH PEDESTRIAN AREA. REPAIRS HAV EBEEN MADE AS OF 01/14/2006. *AK

NHTSA ID

10147125

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

133,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WARMING UP PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED. WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF CONTACT'S FAMILY HAD THE SAME THINGS GO WRONG WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE DEALER WON'T HELP THE CONTACT TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES BECAUSE HE USED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT ONCE WORKED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WEREN'T TOO MANY DEALERSHIPS IN THE CONTACT'S AREA. ALSO, THE CONTACT KNEW MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD SIMILAR ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10147117

Incident

Dec 20, 2005

Mileage

99,000 mi

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT, LESS THAN 20 MPH. I HAD THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTED TO THE LOWEST POSITION, I AM ONLY 5'3. UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT MOVED TO THE TOP POSITION. SO, INSTEAD OF BEING ON MY SHOULDER, IT ENDED UP ACROSS MY NECK. THE SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK, AND ALSO LEFT A BURN, AND A BRUISE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10146070

Incident

Nov 8, 2005

Mileage

101,988 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. AND THEY COULD TAKE THE HEADLIGHTS APART AND BLOW AIR INTO THEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10143888

Incident

Nov 8, 2005

BEGAN TO SEE COOLANT POOLING ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY, TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO FIND THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARRANTY ITEM. DID NOT DAMAGE ENGINE, I WAS LUCKY AND SPOTTED THE SITUATION EARLY. *NM

NHTSA ID

10140546

Incident

Jan 9, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

CONSUMER SLIDING DOOR ONLY WORKS MANUALLY, DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT HAVE EITHER MANUAL OR ELECTRONIC CONTROL. *TS THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10141033

Incident

Sep 21, 2005

AS I WAS ACCELERATING INTO THE FAST LANE ON A FREEWAY IN DIAMOND BAR CA THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE AND THE MOTOR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT WAS LIKE STEPPING ON A BRICK. THEY BARELY RESPONDED. I MADE IT TO AN OFF-RAMP, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VAN SLOWED DOWN BUT WOULD NOT STOP. I WENT UP ON THE CURB TO TRY AND SLOW IT DOWN MORE AND TO GET AROUND THE CARS WAITING AT THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OFF-RAMP. BY GOING UP ON THE CURB I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER AROUND THE CARS WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE AND MISSING LIGHT POLES. I KEPT SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE TO GET THE VAN TO THE SIDE STREET AND INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A CAR REPAIR. WHEN I WAS SAFELY IN THE PARKING LOT I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. THE MECHANICS AT THE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED I REPORT THE INCIDENT SINCE THE ACCELERATOR DIDN'T REACT IN THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE. IT WAS ONLY MY PRESENCE OF MIND AND THE ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER THAT KEPT ME FROM INJURING OTHERS AND BEING INJURED. EVERYONE I HAVE SPOKEN TO THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAS TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY IT DID. A SAFETY MECHANISM SHOULD HAVE TAKEN OVER TO KEEP THE MOTOR FROM IDLING AT SUCH A HIGH RATE. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE AND DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. MARYLIN LEWIS 909-595-1275. *NM

NHTSA ID

10138289

Incident

Sep 28, 2005

Mileage

93,053 mi

THE SLIDING DOOR SENSOR WHICH MADE THE DOOR RETRACT IF THERE WAS AN OBJECT IN ITS PASSAGE WAY MALFUNCTIONED. THE DOOR SLID SHUT, PINING CONSUMER'S LEFT HAND IN THE DOOR. CONSUMER HANDS SUSTAINED SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE, BUT DIDN'T BREAK. *AK IN ADDITION THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT ACTIVATE TO INFORM THE CONSUMER THE DOOR WAS CLOSING. DEALER REPLACED DOOR LOCK SENSORS. *TT

NHTSA ID

10106865

Incident

Jan 3, 2005

Mileage

120,000 mi

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS GETTING RECALL REPAIR WORK COMPLETED ON HIS 1998 OLDSMOBILE VAN.*MR DEALERSHIP TOOK TOO LONG TO PERFORM RECALL 04V597000 REGARDING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. CONSUMER WILL TAKE CHANCES WITH THE FAULTY DOORS IN HOPES THAT NO ONE WILL GET INJURED. *TT

NHTSA ID

10133475

Incident

Jul 29, 2005

DT: CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THEY REPLACED THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD TO STOP THE COOLANT LEAK. THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS STILL LEAKING GASOLINE AND COOLANT. THE CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE ROUTINE VISIT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. *AK

NHTSA ID

10132593

Incident

Mar 1, 2005

Mileage

121,000 mi

DT: THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED IT WAS A GAS LEAK. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER , BUT IT HAD NOT RESPONDED TO ME. HAD A RECALL FOR THE DOOR BUT NOT FOR THE GAS LEAK. GAS LEAK OCCURRED ON AUGUST 5, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ID

10132564

Incident

Aug 5, 2005