FaultScore report
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 12 worst.
FaultScore 46/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Oldsmobile Silhouette.
How this is worked out24
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 57,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 100,000 miles
0 crashes, 3 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
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.
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.
TRNSAXL OIL HOSE SEPARATES
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.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
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.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OUR MINI-VAN REAR-ENDED A CADILLAC IN LINE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED DUE TO A BACKUP, BUT THE LIGHT WAS GREEN, AND IT WAS LATE WHEN MY WIFE HIT THE BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST GM DEALER, MEIER OLDS, TO HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED. MY WIFE HAD MENTIONED THAT SHE DIDN'T THINK THAT THE BRAKES HAD FUNCTIONED DURING THE INCIDENT. SHE COMMENTED ON HAVING PUSHED THE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP. GM SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, SO WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS SINCE, BUT THE RECENT RECALL MADE ME SUSPICIOUS, AND WANT TO FILE THIS REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #708914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY CABLES SHORTED OUT, CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #487368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, UNKNOWN REASON. TT
NHTSA complaint #969456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE THAN SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE UPON STOPPING DUE TO TRANS COOLER LINE BROKE SPRAYING FLUID ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #960995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE STOPPED RETRACTING. THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE PRECURSOR TO THIS MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10162956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10017849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT START OPERATING. THE SYSTEM APPEARED "FROZEN" YET WOULD START OPERATING AGAIN IN A FEW HOURS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE SAME PROBLEM APPEARED IN MY 1994 OLDSMOBILE TRUCK SILHOUETTE. THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY IN THESE VEHICLES THAT ALLOWS THE MOTORS TO HANG.
NHTSA complaint #761156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT FRONT TIRE. AT HIGH SPEED THE TIRE FELT LIKE A BALANCE WEIGHT HAD BEEN LOST AND THUMPED. AT LOWER SPEEDS (BELOW 30MPH) THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD "ROCK" LIKE THE FRONT END OR STEERING MECHANISM WAS LOOSE AND WOULD PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. CONTINUED HIGH SPEED DRIVING COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.( DOT NUMBER: ACMD AB6 2 TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15 )
NHTSA complaint #731689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD IS DELAMINATING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #864948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE SLIDING. BRAKES WOULD GRAB/LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OUR MINI-VAN REAR-ENDED A CADILLAC IN LINE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED DUE TO A BACKUP, BUT THE LIGHT WAS GREEN, AND IT WAS LATE WHEN MY WIFE HIT THE BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST GM DEALER, MEIER OLDS, TO HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED. MY WIFE HAD MENTIONED THAT SHE DIDN'T THINK THAT THE BRAKES HAD FUNCTIONED DURING THE INCIDENT. SHE COMMENTED ON HAVING PUSHED THE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP. GM SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, SO WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS SINCE, BUT THE RECENT RECALL MADE ME SUSPICIOUS, AND WANT TO FILE THIS REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #708914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
MANUFACTURER CONTACTED - THEY CLAIM THESE PARTS WERE ALREADY FIXED - WILL NOT FIX AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #704348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WE RAN INTO A CURB AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE SEATBELT BEHIND THE DRIVER, DETACHED (THE CLASP FROM THE BUCKLE) AND MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR SEAT WERE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR ON THIS SEAT NO LONGER RETRACTED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT RETRACTOR ALSO WOULD NO LONGER RETRACT. BOTH OF THESE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I CHECKED THE DATABASE AND THERE WAS BOTH A RECALL ON SEATBELTS AND A TECHNICAL ADVISORY RELATED BULLETIN. I CHECKED WITH A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT WE HAD NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. IN REF. TO THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY - HE GAVE ME A COPY OF IT. IN GENERAL, THE OLD/ORIGINAL SEAT BELTS ALL RETRACT VERY SLOWLY. YOU HAVE TO PRACTICALLY "FEED" THEM INTO THE RETRACTORS. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT, NOR DOES IT SEEM RIGHT TO HAVE RETRACTOR FAILURES AT 80K MILES. OUR CONFIDENCE IS WANING ON THIS VEHICLE'S SEAT BELT SYSTEM. WITH A WIFE AND 3 KIDS CONSTANTLY TRAVELING AROUND, I AM CONCERNED WITH THEIR SAFETY. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. SINCERELY, JERRY SYLVESTRE.
NHTSA complaint #702558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHILD SEAT:HARNESS BUCKLE:INFANT
WE RAN INTO A CURB AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE SEATBELT BEHIND THE DRIVER, DETACHED (THE CLASP FROM THE BUCKLE) AND MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR SEAT WERE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR ON THIS SEAT NO LONGER RETRACTED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT RETRACTOR ALSO WOULD NO LONGER RETRACT. BOTH OF THESE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I CHECKED THE DATABASE AND THERE WAS BOTH A RECALL ON SEATBELTS AND A TECHNICAL ADVISORY RELATED BULLETIN. I CHECKED WITH A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT WE HAD NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. IN REF. TO THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY - HE GAVE ME A COPY OF IT. IN GENERAL, THE OLD/ORIGINAL SEAT BELTS ALL RETRACT VERY SLOWLY. YOU HAVE TO PRACTICALLY "FEED" THEM INTO THE RETRACTORS. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT, NOR DOES IT SEEM RIGHT TO HAVE RETRACTOR FAILURES AT 80K MILES. OUR CONFIDENCE IS WANING ON THIS VEHICLE'S SEAT BELT SYSTEM. WITH A WIFE AND 3 KIDS CONSTANTLY TRAVELING AROUND, I AM CONCERNED WITH THEIR SAFETY. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. SINCERELY, JERRY SYLVESTRE.
NHTSA complaint #702558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
STEEL CABLE WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE FELL OFF IN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVE WAY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #823131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE RUSTED AND WHEEL FEEL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #535216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #524009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
REAR WHEEL CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #524009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS OF RECALL CAMPAIGN RESULTED IN THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE TO RUPTURE.
NHTSA complaint #515892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DRIVING OFF INTERSECTION; APPLIED BRAKES & PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; TURNED VEHICEL AROUND & HEADED HOME. CHECKED & NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON BOTH WHEELS. ALSO BRAKE LINES/HOSES COMPLETELY SHOT. HAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #815398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #517697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #517298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER/LAP BELT WON'T RETRACT, BELTS FULLY EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #801161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY CABLES SHORTED OUT, CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #487368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIE ROD END.
NHTSA complaint #978426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, UNKNOWN REASON. TT
NHTSA complaint #969456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE THAN SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE UPON STOPPING DUE TO TRANS COOLER LINE BROKE SPRAYING FLUID ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #960995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.