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1997 Oldsmobile SilhouetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 104 owner complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette, most often about the steering. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Silhouette median · #4 of 15 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1045 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage9kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 29, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette has problems

104 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
Steering200
Exterior lighting180
Structure140
Latches/locks/linkages130
Engine and engine cooling110
Visibility102
Service brakes, hydraulic91
Electrical system70
Power train71
10 other systems303

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

6 recalls

1997 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

Doors: latch

Recall 04V-597 · Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles

Risk. IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 02V-286 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 01V-264 · Aug 21, 2001 · 248,737 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 98V-145 · Jun 26, 1998 · 125,990 vehicles

Risk. WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 98V-072 · Apr 7, 1998 · 55,154 vehicles

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

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

1997 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
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette safety ratings

1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILUREEA02003 · closed Dec 10, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-286
  2. SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILUREEA02032 · closed Nov 21, 2003
    No recall
  3. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILUREEA03005 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  4. STEERING RACK AND PINIONPE01038 · closed Apr 4, 2002
    No recall
  5. SHOULDER HARNESS CLIPPE02017 · closed Aug 2, 2002
    No recall
  6. TRACTION CONTROLRQ00006 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 98V-072
  7. UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOORSQ00014 · closed Oct 22, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-067
In owners' words

What Silhouette owners report

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

WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE HORN CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDED AND ALL THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. THE DOORS COULD NOT BE MANUALLY OPENED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE TO TEN MINUTES AND THEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, POWER…
Complaint 10064708 · May 20, 2004 · 9,000 miles
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, HOWEVER THE DAY BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT, CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD NO TOOLS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
Complaint 10014639 · Mar 28, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR RECALL REPAIRS TO THE RACK AND PINION BEARING AND THE POWER STEERING. THIS RECALL REQUIRED THAT THE AIR BAGS,HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BE RESET. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *NLM
Complaint 10009804 · Mar 4, 2003

Own a 1997 Silhouette?

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