2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Interior & seats1312.5%
- Engine1211.5%
- Transmission87.7%
- Tires & wheels76.7%
- Suspension76.7%
- Brakes76.7%
- Other / unspecified76.7%
- Electrical65.8%
- Airbags54.8%
- Body & structure54.8%
- Exterior lighting54.8%
- Steering54.8%
- Visibility43.8%
- Heating & air conditioning43.8%
- Fuel system32.9%
- Seat belts21.9%
- Driver assistance21.9%
- Powertrain (other)21.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V067 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 01V0670000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH AND THE DOOR WOULD SLIDE OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ONCE ALREADY AND WOULD NOT BE DONE AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE-THREE TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS ALSO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH REAR LIGHTS AND ALSO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING. BOTH WINDOW SWITCHES FAILED. PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
OUR 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. THE ISSUES ARE PLACED IN A CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. ALL EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 50K MILES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL RECALLS. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND THE LAST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A CHAFED WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OTHER TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WE GOT TIRED OF BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD FAILED. AT 66K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE TIE RODS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE ON EACH SIDE. ONCE AROUND 70K AND ONCE AROUND 115K. THE FUEL ASCENDING UNIT FAILED AROUND 90K. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CV AXLE. LIGHTS IN THE HEATER CONTROLS HAVE BLOWN AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THEM IS TO SOLDER NEW BULBS ONTO THE CONTROL MODULE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED ON 1ST AND 2ND SPEED. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE OVERHEATING ISSUES AS SEEN BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT MYCARSTATS.COM. THIS RELATES TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD THREE SEPARATE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THIS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER THE UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE BLAMED ON THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANY OF THE REPAIRS WHERE COSTLY. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS NEVER FIXED. WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS GM PIECE OF JUNK ON. IT HAD 137K MILES. MOST OF THE MILES DRIVEN WHERE HIGHWAY, VERY FEW CITY AND STOP-AND-GO. *JB
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN TRANSMISSION IS COLD AND STARTING FROM A STOP. MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE, IN PARTICULAR UPHILL. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE-THREE TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS ALSO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH REAR LIGHTS AND ALSO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING. BOTH WINDOW SWITCHES FAILED. PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES P225/60R16 THEY NOW HAVE 25,000 MILES ON THEM AND ARE COMPLETELY BALD. SAMS CLUB MEASURED THE TREAD AT 0/32. SAMS OFFERED ME A PRORATED WARRANTY OF $35 PER TIRE, I PAID $73. (OUT THE DOOR $184 FOR 2)THEY WERE SOLD TO ME AS A 50000 MILE TIRE, THEY ARE UNDER WARRANTY AND WORE OUT AT HALF THE WARRANTY. ISN'T THIS A FAULTY TIRE? I CAN'T AFFORD NEW TIRES AGAIN AND THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN DURING THE RAINY SEASON. I TRIED TO EMAIL GOODYEAR BUT THE LINK DOES NOT WORK. HUMMM, I BET THEY KNOW THAT. OTHER PEOPLE ON LINE SAID THEY GOT NO WHERE WITH THEM. PLEASE HELP. SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE? I SEE THEY HAVE MANY LOOP HOLES. HOW CAN I GET HELP. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ON THIS SAME TIRE WEARING OUT TOO EARLY. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO CHECK THE BOX THAT THERE WERE DEATHS OR INJURIES SEEN BELOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I PURCHASED FOUR TIRES FOR MY VAN. THE FRONT TWO I REPLACED LATE LAST YEAR. THE THIRD ONE I REPLACED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE REASON FOR THE REPLACEMENT WAS BECAUSE THE TIRE CAME APART. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE OTHER TIRE STARTED TO BUMP. I CHECKED IT AND IT HAS CAME APART ALSO. THE TIRE SIZE IS 225/60R16.THEY ARE MASTERCRAFT, SENSYS 01.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT HUBS WERE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE-THREE TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS ALSO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH REAR LIGHTS AND ALSO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING. BOTH WINDOW SWITCHES FAILED. PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKING BLOCK FOLLOWED BY A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT KNEE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND RIGHT FRONT BEARING DEFECTIVE. WHEEL WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND BRAKING WAS VERY HARD. WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND/OR DEATH IF CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN BEFORE REPAIR. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING W/ ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN AGAIN IN DECEMBER, 2006 AND NOW MAY, 2009. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRES "DEFLATE" DAILY DUE TO POORLY MANUFACTURED RIMS. TIRES WON'T SEAL AND HOLD AIR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE (6 YEARS). NUMEROUS SETS OF NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH THE SAME RESULTS. *TR
ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND RIGHT FRONT BEARING DEFECTIVE. WHEEL WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND BRAKING WAS VERY HARD. WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND/OR DEATH IF CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN BEFORE REPAIR. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING W/ ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN AGAIN IN DECEMBER, 2006 AND NOW MAY, 2009. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
OUR 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. THE ISSUES ARE PLACED IN A CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. ALL EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 50K MILES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL RECALLS. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND THE LAST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A CHAFED WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OTHER TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WE GOT TIRED OF BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD FAILED. AT 66K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE TIE RODS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE ON EACH SIDE. ONCE AROUND 70K AND ONCE AROUND 115K. THE FUEL ASCENDING UNIT FAILED AROUND 90K. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CV AXLE. LIGHTS IN THE HEATER CONTROLS HAVE BLOWN AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THEM IS TO SOLDER NEW BULBS ONTO THE CONTROL MODULE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED ON 1ST AND 2ND SPEED. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE OVERHEATING ISSUES AS SEEN BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT MYCARSTATS.COM. THIS RELATES TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD THREE SEPARATE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THIS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER THE UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE BLAMED ON THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANY OF THE REPAIRS WHERE COSTLY. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS NEVER FIXED. WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS GM PIECE OF JUNK ON. IT HAD 137K MILES. MOST OF THE MILES DRIVEN WHERE HIGHWAY, VERY FEW CITY AND STOP-AND-GO. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY COMPLAINT IS THE FACT THAT COMPANIES NEED TO TRACK DOWN ANY OWNER OF A VEHICLE THAT THEIR COMPANY MAKES. MY DAD PURCHASED THIS OLDSMOBILE VAN, IT WAS A USED VEHICLE, HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS, AND AIR BAGS. I SHARED A MAIL BOX WITH HIM, AND I GOT THE MAIL EVERY DAY, SO I KNOW HE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO ON THIS. IN 2010 MY DAD WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK THAT WAS NOT HIS FAULT, IF YOU LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT EVEN AS BAD AS SOME YOU SEE, BUT IT WAS HIS FRONT END THAT WAS HIT STRAIGHT ON. MY DAD DID NOT LIVE, HE DIED THE NEXT DAY. THE PERSON THERE ON THE SCENE TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT IT HADN'T APPEARED TO HAVE HELD HIM, AND UNSURE IF THE AIR BAG COMPLETELY INFLATED. HE WAS THE ONLY FAMILY I HAD LEFT, NO PARENTS, NO GRANDPARENTS, NO SIBLINGS, AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, AND I COULD STILL HAVE HIM HERE WITH ME, IF HE WAS ONLY NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT OTHERS TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE. THE NEUROSURGEON COULD NOT BELIEVE THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURIES IN COMPARISON TO OTHER ACCIDENTS, HIS WERE TRAUMATIC, HE HAD A SEVERE BRAIN INJURY, AND CRUSHED CHEST INJURIES, WHICH GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE BELT NOR BAG DID NOT WORK RIGHT, AND HE FELT THE FULL FORCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKING BLOCK FOLLOWED BY A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT KNEE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
IVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. FRIDAY JUNE 1 2018 I WAS DRIVING WITH ALL 4 OF MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND MY DRIVER REAR SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF THE VEHICLE COMPLETLY . ALL 3 LATCHES THAT ATTACH THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE DETACHED AND THE DOOR WENT TO THE FLOOR. WERE WERE MOVING STATE I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V067 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE DIMMER THAN NORMAL. THERE WAS FROST COVERING THE LENS THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED CASE NUMBER 71-565553437 AND ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN FROST ON THE HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $643. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT ON OCTOBER 23, 2007. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND THEY COULD SELL HIM THE PARTS FOR $465. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT INDICATOR LIGHTS BULB SOCKET IS GETTING HOT THAT IT IS SMOKING AND PUTTING OUT A FILM THAT IS CLOUDING THE INSIDE OF THE BLINDER LENS, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE CLEAR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. UPDATED ON 06/08/2006. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A DEFECT IN A 2001 OLDSMOBILE-SILOUTTE VAN.AS I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AT 55MPH(CRUISE SET) THE VAN WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ALMOST ROLLED. THE VAN SWERVED ALSO IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL BUT WAS A VERY SCARY ORDEAL! I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO MY CAR DEALER AND FOUND OUT A SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR (APPROX 2FT LONG) CAME LOOSE AND GOT CAUGHT IN THE SERPETINE BELT. THE CAR DEALER REPAIR DEPARTMENT RE-ATTACHED THIS PART WHERE IT BELONGED. LUCK- THERE WAS NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC!!
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE NAVIGATING A TURN AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TURNING FREELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND DRIVER AIR BAG COIL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE-THREE TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS ALSO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH REAR LIGHTS AND ALSO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING. BOTH WINDOW SWITCHES FAILED. PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
OUR 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. THE ISSUES ARE PLACED IN A CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. ALL EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 50K MILES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL RECALLS. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND THE LAST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A CHAFED WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OTHER TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WE GOT TIRED OF BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD FAILED. AT 66K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE TIE RODS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE ON EACH SIDE. ONCE AROUND 70K AND ONCE AROUND 115K. THE FUEL ASCENDING UNIT FAILED AROUND 90K. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CV AXLE. LIGHTS IN THE HEATER CONTROLS HAVE BLOWN AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THEM IS TO SOLDER NEW BULBS ONTO THE CONTROL MODULE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED ON 1ST AND 2ND SPEED. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE OVERHEATING ISSUES AS SEEN BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT MYCARSTATS.COM. THIS RELATES TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD THREE SEPARATE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THIS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER THE UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE BLAMED ON THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANY OF THE REPAIRS WHERE COSTLY. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS NEVER FIXED. WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS GM PIECE OF JUNK ON. IT HAD 137K MILES. MOST OF THE MILES DRIVEN WHERE HIGHWAY, VERY FEW CITY AND STOP-AND-GO. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. THE ISSUES ARE PLACED IN A CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. ALL EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 50K MILES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL RECALLS. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND THE LAST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A CHAFED WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OTHER TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WE GOT TIRED OF BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD FAILED. AT 66K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE TIE RODS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE ON EACH SIDE. ONCE AROUND 70K AND ONCE AROUND 115K. THE FUEL ASCENDING UNIT FAILED AROUND 90K. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CV AXLE. LIGHTS IN THE HEATER CONTROLS HAVE BLOWN AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THEM IS TO SOLDER NEW BULBS ONTO THE CONTROL MODULE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED ON 1ST AND 2ND SPEED. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE OVERHEATING ISSUES AS SEEN BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT MYCARSTATS.COM. THIS RELATES TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD THREE SEPARATE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THIS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER THE UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE BLAMED ON THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANY OF THE REPAIRS WHERE COSTLY. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS NEVER FIXED. WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS GM PIECE OF JUNK ON. IT HAD 137K MILES. MOST OF THE MILES DRIVEN WHERE HIGHWAY, VERY FEW CITY AND STOP-AND-GO. *JB
AIR CONDITIONING IS INOPERATIVE. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR A/C. THE FIRST COMPLAINT WAS A LOUD NOISE DURING OPERATION. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. OUR SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS REGARDING A FOUL ODOR FROM THE A/C. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES HAE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. THE MOST RECENT TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS ON7/1/2003. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE FOUL ODOR SMELL, BUT ON 8/25/2003 OUR A/C STOPPED FUNCTIONING. ON 3/25/2003 THE VEHICLE HAD 22,000 MILES. ON 7/1/2003 THE VEHICLE HAD 58,400 MILES. AS OF 8/25/3003 OUR VEHICLE HAS 62,300 MILES. OUR VEHICLE CAME WITH THE 60,000 WARRANTY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY TO REQUEST A SERVICE VISIT AND ASKED IF THE INOPERATIVE A/C WAS GOING TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OF COURSE I RECEIVED THE "YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR WARRANTY PERIOD" STATEMENT. THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE INOPERATIVE A/C'S FOR THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ASSIST WITH HAVING THE A/C FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. PALMEN OLDSMOBILE ALREADY DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE REGARDLESS OF TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. PALMEN OLDSMOBILE WILL NOT FIX UNDER A GOODWILL WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE A/C SYSTEM ON A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2.5 YEARS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE RELEASED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MUFFLER DID NOT HAVE A HEAT SHIELD COVER. THIS CAUSED THE FAILURE AND SPARKS, WHICH CORE A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
MY 2001 OLDS SILHOUETTE VAN. BACK ON 08/01/08 EXPERIENCED THE SAME FUEL TANK FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL # 07V349000 FOR THE 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN. AFTER HAVING THE TANK REPLACED I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ABOVE RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE CHEVY VAN I CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR REPAYMENT OF THE REPAIR COST. I WAS INFORMED THIS MORNING THAT SINCE THE NHTSA DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN MY VAN GO DOWN THE SAME ASSEMBLY LINE AS THE CHEVY VENTURE AND OTHER VEHICLES LISTED IN THE RECALL EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE AND YET NOT BE INCLUDED? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY COMPLAINT IS THE FACT THAT COMPANIES NEED TO TRACK DOWN ANY OWNER OF A VEHICLE THAT THEIR COMPANY MAKES. MY DAD PURCHASED THIS OLDSMOBILE VAN, IT WAS A USED VEHICLE, HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS, AND AIR BAGS. I SHARED A MAIL BOX WITH HIM, AND I GOT THE MAIL EVERY DAY, SO I KNOW HE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO ON THIS. IN 2010 MY DAD WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK THAT WAS NOT HIS FAULT, IF YOU LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT EVEN AS BAD AS SOME YOU SEE, BUT IT WAS HIS FRONT END THAT WAS HIT STRAIGHT ON. MY DAD DID NOT LIVE, HE DIED THE NEXT DAY. THE PERSON THERE ON THE SCENE TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT IT HADN'T APPEARED TO HAVE HELD HIM, AND UNSURE IF THE AIR BAG COMPLETELY INFLATED. HE WAS THE ONLY FAMILY I HAD LEFT, NO PARENTS, NO GRANDPARENTS, NO SIBLINGS, AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, AND I COULD STILL HAVE HIM HERE WITH ME, IF HE WAS ONLY NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT OTHERS TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE. THE NEUROSURGEON COULD NOT BELIEVE THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURIES IN COMPARISON TO OTHER ACCIDENTS, HIS WERE TRAUMATIC, HE HAD A SEVERE BRAIN INJURY, AND CRUSHED CHEST INJURIES, WHICH GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE BELT NOR BAG DID NOT WORK RIGHT, AND HE FELT THE FULL FORCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
THE VEHICLE DEFECT INVOLVES POOR VISIBILITY FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS HARDLY ANY RIGHT REAR VISION ; REDUCED VISION FROM THE FRONT MIRROR THRU THE REAR WINDOW; REDUCED VISION FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE LEFT REAR. THE PROBLEM IS PRESENT WHEN CHANGING LANES AND BACKING. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY OVERSIZED HEADRESTS ON THE MIDDLE SEATS WHICH ARE CAPTAINS CHAIRS. THE HEADRESTS ARE 9" IN HEIGHT AND AS WIDE AS THE SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS FURTHER EXACERBATED BY THE BLACKENED TINTED WINDOWS. WHEN DRIVING YOU MUST CONTINUOUSLY RELY ON YOUR SIDE VIEW MORRORS AS THER IS NO VISION TO THE RIGHT REAR. I FREQUENTLY DRIVE WITH THE RIGHT MIDDLE SEAT FOLDED UP SO AS TO HAVE VISION BUT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH A PASSENGER. THE HEADRESTS ALSO OBSTRUCT APPROX. 20% OF YOUR RREAR VISION WHEN BACKING AS WELL AS WHEN DRIVING. THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEADREST ALSO OBSTRUCTS VISION WHEN BACKING AS THERE IS NO LEFT FIELD OF VISION CAUSED BY THE HEADRESTS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE REDUCED WITH SMALLER HEADRESTS OR REPLACING THE CAPTAINS CHAIRS WITH A BENCH SEAT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS WHEN CHANGING LANES AND BACKING THE VEHICLE. YOU SIMPLY CAN'T SEE. THIS IS PROBABLY A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH GM MINI VANS WITH CAPT CHAIRS MIDDLE SEATING. IN ADDITION THE TINTED WINDOWS ARE TOO DARK AND COULD BE A LIGHTER SHADE FOR NIGHTIME DRIVING.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXPERIENCE ENGINE POWER SURGE WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND ENGINE SURGED. FIRM APPLICATION OF BRAKE FAILED TO COMPLETELY STOP VEHICLE, HAD TO SHIFT GEAR TO NEUTRAL. DEALER EVALUATION 3/13/03 REVEALED NO PROBLEM. SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WHILE SPOUSE DRIVING 01/14/03 RESULTING IN BROKEN AIR DAM FROM PARKING CURB. *JB
THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED TO ENTER THE GARAGE. AFTER REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE.. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR AND IT HIT AN INTERIOR STORAGE AREA. NO INJURIES RESULTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. THE ISSUES ARE PLACED IN A CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. ALL EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 50K MILES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL RECALLS. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND THE LAST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A CHAFED WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OTHER TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WE GOT TIRED OF BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD FAILED. AT 66K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE TIE RODS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE ON EACH SIDE. ONCE AROUND 70K AND ONCE AROUND 115K. THE FUEL ASCENDING UNIT FAILED AROUND 90K. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CV AXLE. LIGHTS IN THE HEATER CONTROLS HAVE BLOWN AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THEM IS TO SOLDER NEW BULBS ONTO THE CONTROL MODULE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED ON 1ST AND 2ND SPEED. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE OVERHEATING ISSUES AS SEEN BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT MYCARSTATS.COM. THIS RELATES TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD THREE SEPARATE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THIS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER THE UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE BLAMED ON THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANY OF THE REPAIRS WHERE COSTLY. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS NEVER FIXED. WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS GM PIECE OF JUNK ON. IT HAD 137K MILES. MOST OF THE MILES DRIVEN WHERE HIGHWAY, VERY FEW CITY AND STOP-AND-GO. *JB
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2002, THE VAN WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD, THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ON DECEMBER 5TH, THE VAN TOTALLY QUIT GOING FORWARD AND BACKWARD, IT WAS TOWED IN AND THE MECHANIC ASKED IF WE HAD TOWED ANYTHING WITH THE VAN OR DID WE USE IT AS A "HOTROD", THAT ALL THE GEARS WERE STRIPPED. ALSO, UPON TAKING THE VAN BACK FOR THE RECALL OF THE SLIDING DOOR, WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TWICE AND THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THERE ARE TIMES THAT IT WON\\'T UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE AND YOU CAN OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. WE HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN THE SERVICE OF DEALER IN THE DIFFERENT TIMES THAT THE VAN WAS TAKEN IN TO GET CHECKED OUT, THAT IS WHY WE CHOSE NOT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION TORN UP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .