Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seat Belts
724.1%
Brakes
517.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain
517.2%
Median failure at 97,896 miles
Steering
310.3%
Engine & Cooling
310.3%
Seats
26.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
13.4%
Tires
13.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1995peak 2Oct 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ03003Opened 8 Jan 2003Closed 10 Apr 2003STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
IN APRIL 1997, GM NOTIFIED ODI OF A REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLT DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1990-91 U VANS AND MY 1988-91 W CARS THAT COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR.GM IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS EXCESSIVE CREVICE CORROSION OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RETAINER AFTER YEARS OF EXPOSURE IN A SEVERE CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT.THE RECALL COVERED APPROXIMATELY 680,000 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN 14 RUST BELT STATES; INCLUDING ALMOST 70,000 MY 1990-91 U VANS.THE RECALLED VEHICLES RECEIVED NEW REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS. GM CHANGED THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF...
PE96002Opened 5 Jan 1996Closed 16 Apr 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE
PE94070Opened 15 Sep 1994Closed 18 Jan 1995POWER TRAIN
TRNSAXL OIL HOSE SEPARATES
EA92035Opened 30 Oct 1992Closed 30 Nov 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
APV FUEL LINE FIRES
DP92012Opened 9 Jun 1992Closed 25 Jun 1992ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
APV FIRES
APV FIRES
PE92052Opened 4 Jun 1992Closed 30 Oct 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
APV FUEL LINE FIRES
Recalls on the 1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V015000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
94V027000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
VEHICLE FAILS TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SAFETY BELT OF THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2000080200,580 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles operated in areas of high salt use, the spare tire hoist cable may corrode and eventually break. This would allow the spare tire to fall off the vehicle possibly resulting in a road hazard for other vehicles. Correction: A letter will be sent to owners of affected vehicles with maintenance and inspection instructions for spare tire hoist cable assemblies. Additionally, the letter will advise the owner that, if the cable breaks during that inspection, their dealer will repair the assembly. This policy will be in effect until December 31, 2002.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Detroit, MI2 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, CROSS THE MEDIAN AND ROLL OVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #565801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indialantiz, FLCrash2 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE BACK AT 60 MPH. TT
NHTSA complaint #977109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Cleveland, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10097666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10097666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,896 milesLouisville, KY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10091876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Viroqua, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE WASHER BOLT CAME OUT THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI2 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, CROSS THE MEDIAN AND ROLL OVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #565801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baker, MT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
ON VERY BACK ROW OF SEAT ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE SHOULDER BELT IS EXTENDED OUT ALL OF THE WAY AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #888585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suffolk, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION OIL IS OVERHEATING TO THE POINT THAT THE OIL IS BURNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #882763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
THE RETURN SPRING FOR THE REAR BRAKE SHOES IS INADEQUATE. ON TWO OCASSIONS THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING CAME LOOSE AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE AXLE SHAFT RUBBING AGAINST IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE REAR BRAKES ARE LOST AND ONLY THE FRON BRAKES WOK, RESULTING IN THER PEDAL GOING ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED TO THE BRAKES ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE BRAKES CAME LOOSE AFTER USING THE PARKING BRAKE, WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF REAR BRAKES AND ONLY FRONT BRAKES WORKING, PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THIS TIME THE SPRING DID NOT BREAK AND THE BRAKE PARTS WERE REINSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #736291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inwood, WV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL RECALLS REPAIRED OR NOT THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
NHTSA complaint #730656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newfane, VT
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE TRANSAXLE SEAL BLEW OUT AND WE ARE BEING TOLD REPLACING IT MOST LIKELY WON'T HELP, AS IT IS APT TO BLOW OUT AGAIN. 3 INDEPENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AT 80,000 MILES EITHER PROBLEM IS UNWARRANTED.
NHTSA complaint #725282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mayfield Hieghts, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN CAR IS TRAVELING AT 50 TRANSMSION STARTS LURCHING LIKE ITS SEARCHING FOR A GEAR. THEN, WHEN IT GETS UP TO 70 MPH AND IT STOPS.
NHTSA complaint #868122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #865651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkburg, MA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HEATER RELAY BURNING OUT WHENEVER HEATER IS SET AT HIGH SPEED. REPLACED HEATER RELAY ON FIVE OCCASIONS. MANUFACTURER WOULD BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #854537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, CAUSING IT TO STAY EXTENDED, WILL NOT RETRACT BACK IN , CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #855621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulf Breeze, FL
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
I CONTACTED THE OLDSMOBILE CORP. ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE SEATBELTS. I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECT UNTIL I WAS TOLD THAT THE THIRD ROW SEATBELTS HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER TWO ROWS WERE NOT. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT THE LEAST USED SEATBELTS COULD BE THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. AREN'T ALL OF THE SEATBELTS MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME PLACE? I AM MARRIED WE HAVE FIVE CHILDREN CUMMULATIVELY. I NEED ALL SEVEN OF MY SEATBELTS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, AS WELL AS CONFORM TO THE LAW. THE SEATBELTS COST $150 EACH. I AM AFRAID MORE WILL GO BAD, AND WILL END UP COSTING ME A SMALL FORTUNE. I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER SEATBELTS, NOT THE SAME AS MY DEFECTIVE ONES, ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. IF THE SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING SINCE 1992 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, IT SEEMS THAT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF JUST WEAR AND TEAR, AND AGE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #702716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
High Point, NC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE SECOND ROW SEATS WILL NOT RETRACT THE BELTS TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #830617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #826147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT DISENGAGED FROM THE SEAT TRACKS, CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #820056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Layfette, IN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELTS FAIL TO LATCH PROPERLY. SEAT BELTS DO NOT STAY LATCHED WHEN BRAKESA ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #809838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Essexville, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
LOSS OF ABS BRAKING POWER DUE TO LEAKING BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #810843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menelga, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AND REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS, THE SHOULDER BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT.
NHTSA complaint #805459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKE RETURN SPRINGS TOO WEAK, CAUSING THEM TO BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #506447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, SD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
POORLY DESIGNED BRAKE HOSES RUPTURED, CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #506447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carbondale, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
DEALERSHIP HAS NO PARTS AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY DON'T DEAL WITH OLDSMOBILES. RECALL 96V015001.
NHTSA complaint #986398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowdon, GA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT/MIDDLE SEATS SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS FAILED.(94V027000) *DSH
NHTSA complaint #501472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.