Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette with NHTSA between 1997 and 2010.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 12 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile Silhouette. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1996 compares with every other Oldsmobile Silhouette
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
833.3%
Median failure at 118,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
520.8%
Median failure at 101,500 miles
Body & Structure
312.5%
Steering
28.3%
Other & Unspecified
14.2%
Seats
14.2%
Tires
14.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.2%
Brakes
14.2%
Median failure at 105,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.2%
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.
Sep 1997peak 4Jun 2010
Recalls on the 1996 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2002199238,877 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997 may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel. Correction: Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary.
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.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,000 milesPlattsburgh, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN TWO VERY SIMILAR GM MADE VANS, A 1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE, AND A 1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV VAN. BOTH HAD SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO THE REAR BRAKE LINE BURSTING, IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE! BOTH HAD CURRENT INSPECTIONS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINES ON BOTH VANS. THE FACT THAT THEY FAILED AT EXACTLY THE SAME POINT IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAKES ME THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. WHEN THE LINE FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED, I ALSO REPLACED THE SAME LINE ON THE OTHER SIDE AND FOUND IT WEAK AND READY TO BURST. I STILL SEE MANY OF THESE GM VANS ON THE ROAD AND FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TWICE, ONE FOR EACH CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10340273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCasa Grande, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1) VEHICLE STARTED STALLING 2) COOLANT LEAKED INTO OIL 3) HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED AT MY OWN COST $780.00 AND NOT SURE THAT THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #10168666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesHudsonville, MI
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
INTAKE GASKET LEAKED INTERNALY AND ALLOWED OIL AND COOLANT TO INTERMIX AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I\\\\\\'M STILL GETTING ESTIMATES FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT BUT IT LOOKS TO BE $4000+.
NHTSA complaint #10069985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesHudsonville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE GASKET LEAKED INTERNALY AND ALLOWED OIL AND COOLANT TO INTERMIX AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I\\\\\\'M STILL GETTING ESTIMATES FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT BUT IT LOOKS TO BE $4000+.
NHTSA complaint #10069985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesChillicothe, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ENGINE. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10065023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, AR
STEERING
WHILE IN REVERSE AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF. THEN, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10059773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gerlach, NV
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE NEVER DEFLATED WHILE SEPARATING . THE TRACKS FROM THE MATERIAL OF TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. FUTURA, SIZE P205/70R15, DOT# HYM0S8M420.
NHTSA complaint #10040798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMinnetonka, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10034267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilbert, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WAIT 2 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON SIX OCCASION S,AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #10033881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wolfeboro Falls, NH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10031230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hagerstown, MD
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NHTSA RECALL 02-V-286-000: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL PROBLEM ALSO WAS IN HIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10024614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesLawrenceville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLANT LEAK DESTROYED THE ENGINE - THERE WAS NO WARNING - SUDDEN STOP ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10016712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesHudsonville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE GASKET FAILED ALLOWING OIL AND COOLANT TO INTERMIX AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. ENGINE HAD ONLY 84000 MILES ON IT AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #10007776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING WATER GETS INTO THE VEHICLE CAUSING WATER BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
LIFTERS COLLAPSED, MY MECHANIC IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE GASKETS TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER.
NHTSA complaint #761402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma Hts., OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ALTHOUGH I ONLY REPORTED SIX PROBLEMS THERE ARE MORE JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE FORM. THE WINDSHIEL CRACKED WHILE BEING WASHED RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED IT. THE SEAL STILL LEAKS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE POWER WINDOWS. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALSO WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKE AGAIN. THE BACK GATE WON'T UNLOCK, NEED TO USE A KEY EACH TIME. THE ENGINE WENT WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. THE FUEL PUMP WENT SHORTLY AFTER.
NHTSA complaint #724420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma Hts., OH
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ALTHOUGH I ONLY REPORTED SIX PROBLEMS THERE ARE MORE JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE FORM. THE WINDSHIEL CRACKED WHILE BEING WASHED RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED IT. THE SEAL STILL LEAKS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE POWER WINDOWS. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALSO WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKE AGAIN. THE BACK GATE WON'T UNLOCK, NEED TO USE A KEY EACH TIME. THE ENGINE WENT WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. THE FUEL PUMP WENT SHORTLY AFTER.
NHTSA complaint #724420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma Hts., OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ALTHOUGH I ONLY REPORTED SIX PROBLEMS THERE ARE MORE JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE FORM. THE WINDSHIEL CRACKED WHILE BEING WASHED RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED IT. THE SEAL STILL LEAKS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE POWER WINDOWS. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALSO WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKE AGAIN. THE BACK GATE WON'T UNLOCK, NEED TO USE A KEY EACH TIME. THE ENGINE WENT WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. THE FUEL PUMP WENT SHORTLY AFTER.
NHTSA complaint #724420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma Hts., OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
ALTHOUGH I ONLY REPORTED SIX PROBLEMS THERE ARE MORE JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE FORM. THE WINDSHIEL CRACKED WHILE BEING WASHED RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED IT. THE SEAL STILL LEAKS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE POWER WINDOWS. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALSO WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKE AGAIN. THE BACK GATE WON'T UNLOCK, NEED TO USE A KEY EACH TIME. THE ENGINE WENT WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. THE FUEL PUMP WENT SHORTLY AFTER.
NHTSA complaint #724420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY City, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
6 WAY POWER SEAT, DRIVERS, IN THE DRIVEWAY, AS I LEANED BACK IN MY SEAT TO BETTER POSITION MYSELF. THE BACK OF THE SEAT BROKE (AT THE HINGE POINT?) AND FELL BACKWARD. IF I WERE ON THE STREET DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED I'M SURE SERIOUS DAMAGES COULD HAVE RESULTED.
NHTSA complaint #718586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL DANGER FOR THE DRIVER IF UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #854700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER SLIDING DOOR FAILED. QCAW
NHTSA complaint #605248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bentwood, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER IS OFF, AND THIS CREATES A BLIND SPOT. WHEN THE WIPER IS IN MOTION FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, THE LOW SPEED WILL NOT OPERATE (THE HIGH SPEED STILL WORKS). *AK CONSUMER STATES THE WIPER CURRENTLY WILL NOT FULLY SWEEP THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #817280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PROBLEM WITH FLOOR CARPET.
NHTSA complaint #605395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.