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1991 Oldsmobile SilhouetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year20% below the Silhouette median · #9 of 15 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3710 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage173kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 1, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette has problems

37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure110
Steering90
Seat belts91
Latches/locks/linkages40
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Suspension31
Visibility30
Electrical system20
Seats21
5 other systems63

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: body

Recall 92V-012 · Jan 28, 1992 · 95,897 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1991 vs. every other Silhouette year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Silhouette median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and the recalls they led to.

  1. APV FIRESDP92012 · closed Jun 25, 1992
    No recall
  2. ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATIONEA00011 · closed Jan 12, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-189
  3. APV FUEL LINE FIRESEA92035 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  4. FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEEA97019 · closed Jun 8, 1999
    Led to recall 99I003000
  5. APV FUEL LINE FIRESPE92052 · closed Oct 30, 1992
    No recall
  6. FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEPE97016 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  7. CRADLE BOLT FAILURESRQ97017 · still open
    Led to recall 97V-058
In owners' words

What Silhouette owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: CONTACT STATED REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS RUSTED AND DISCONNECTED THE STEERING WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. CONTACT NOTICED THIS AROUND JUNE. WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND STARTED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND NOTICED THERE WAS NO STEERING. DEALER SAID THAT CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND FIXED IT. GM STATED…
Complaint 10130875 · Aug 1, 2005 · 173,000 miles
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAME TO A STOP SIGN, MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS OUT. THE STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT SPINNING AROUND AND AROUND. WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FAILURE WAS: THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE…
Complaint 10122254 · May 26, 2005 · 173,306 miles
FRAME SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
Complaint 865418 · Jul 14, 2000

Own a 1991 Silhouette?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.