Menu

1998 Oldsmobile SilhouetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 170 owner complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.8× the Silhouette median · #1 of 15 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints17014 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 19, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette has problems

170 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
Engine and engine cooling350
Exterior lighting320
Structure161
Latches/locks/linkages151
Service brakes, hydraulic150
Steering140
Fuel system, gasoline121
Electrical system110
Visibility101
11 other systems517

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

7 recalls

1998 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 3 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

1998 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

1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette safety ratings

1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette w/SAB 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
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILUREEA02032 · closed Nov 21, 2003
    No recall
  2. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILUREEA03005 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  3. AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENTPE00045 · closed Jan 11, 2001
    No recall
  4. SHOULDER HARNESS CLIPPE02017 · closed Aug 2, 2002
    No recall
  5. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILUREPE02086 · closed Apr 9, 2003
    No recall
  6. POWER-SLIDING DOORPE04064 · closed Dec 22, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-597
  7. TRACTION CONTROLRQ00006 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 98V-072
  8. UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOORSQ00014 · closed Oct 22, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-067
In owners' words

What Silhouette owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10442808 · Jan 7, 2012
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…
Complaint 10266634 · Apr 24, 2009 · 80,000 miles
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
Complaint 10228077 · May 17, 2008 · 73,000 miles

Own a 1998 Silhouette?

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