1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems

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

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.

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

THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT CONSUMER PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SET TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.*AK

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

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.

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

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

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.

RECALLS 01V264000 AND 01V067000 REPAIRS FOR AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WAS PERFORMED ON 04/02/ 2000. ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENED WHILE VAN WAS IN MOTION WITH CHILDREN RIDING INSIDE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

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.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. A BEARING BLEW THROUGH THE LOWER CASING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER FLUID. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPAIRED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

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

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

BATTERY HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY. LEFT STRANDED 8/99, 4/01, 11/02. "NEW" BATTERY INSTALLED EACH TIME. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALER UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS VEHICLE KEEPS "EATING" BATTERIES. SAYS IT IS THE HEAT IN FLORIDA WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE. DT

WHILE DRIVING, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE READ FULL SCALE AND STUCK THERE, DEALER INSTALLED A NEW UNIT. CONSUMER IS ASKING REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REPAIR COST. *YD

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

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

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

THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF OVERDRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE DEALER FIRST DIAGNOSED IT AS A FILTER PROBLEM THEN REPLACED SENSORS AND REBUILT THE FUEL INJECTORS AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE, LASTLY THE CRACK SPARK PLUG WIRE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, FINALLY THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. *YH

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

1998 OLDSMOBILE MINI VAN WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG EQUIPMENT DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE SIDE. *SC *JB

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.

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

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

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

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM DOWN ON THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONSUMER ANTICIPATED THIS PROBLEM MAY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED VIA PHONE, BUT NO INSPECTION WAS MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING AT SPEED EVEN AFTER THE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. THE ONLY SYMPTOM JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT WAS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD MORE RESISTANCE THAN NORMAL WHEN PRESSING IT. DOWNSHIFTING GEARS OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE AT A HIGH RPM. HAD TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 60,000 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PREFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PAST 3,000 MILES. OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BASICALLY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BREAK OVER TIME, AND THERE IS NO ISSUE. FILE # IS 1-262177273. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING UP A HILL UNDER WET CONDITIONS WHEELS SLIP. CONSUMER STATES IT'S THE WRONG TREAD DESIGN ON THE TIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MECHANISM THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE UNDER VEHICLE RUSTED AND SPARE TIRE FELL OFF.*AK DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED. *TT

THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE PREMATURELY WORN OUT AND REAR ALIGNMENT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE AXLE. YH

WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND NOT HOLDING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL DRIFT BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS WELDED INCORRECTLY FROM FACTORY, AND AT ABOUT 35,000-40,000 MILES IT WILL START TO PULL APART, CAUSING TIRES ON REAR AXLE TO SLANT AND EVENTUALLY BLOWOUT. *AK THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 11000 MILES, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT. THE TIRES WERE PREMATURLY WEARING OUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE AXLE. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 20 NEW TIRES WERE USED IN 39 MONTHS PERIOD. *YH