Owners have filed 40 complaints
about the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette with NHTSA between 2002 and 2015.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 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 — 21
Against the median year of the Oldsmobile Silhouette. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
45% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 67
39% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 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 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
615.0%
4 crashes, 0 fires · median 90,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
512.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 111,000 mi
Equipment & Accessories
410.0%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
Wheels
410.0%
Median failure at 29,415 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
37.5%
Median failure at 29,675 miles
Lights
37.5%
Median failure at 67,640 miles
Seat Belts
25.0%
Median failure at 22,800 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
25.0%
Median failure at 52,800 miles
Suspension
25.0%
Median failure at 39,415 miles
Body & Structure
25.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 52,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
25.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 98,705 mi
Tires
12.5%
Median failure at 29,580 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.5%
Median failure at 59,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12.5%
Median failure at 1 miles
Brakes
12.5%
Median failure at 5,261 miles
Electrical System
12.5%
Median failure at 69,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
618.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
412.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
618.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
515.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
412.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
721.2%
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.
Oct 2002peak 3Apr 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 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.
PE04064Opened 17 Sep 2004Closed 22 Dec 2004STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER-SLIDING DOOR
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR.THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION IN THE DOOR PANEL AND LINES UP AT THE ELBOW LEVEL WHEN THE OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE 2ND-ROW OUTBOARD POSITION.IF THE OCCUPANT HOLDS THE INTERIOR HANDLE IN THE THUMB UP POSITION DURING POWER-ASSISTED OPENING, THE ARM/WRIST CAN BE PUSH BACK WITH FORCE AGAINST THE 2ND-ROW BUCKET SEAT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT BACK CREATING A RISK OF INJURY (OTHER SEATING CONFIGURATIONS HAVE AMPLE SEAT TO DOOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID ENTRAPMENT OF THE LOWER ARM).AMONG THE 103 TOTAL REPORTS, THERE W...
Recalls on the 2003 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 200619949,116 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain Aztek (AWD), Montana (AWD), Relay (AWD), RendezVous (AWD), RendezVous (FWD), Silhouette (AWD), Terraza (AWD), Terraza (FWD), Uplander (AWD) and Venture (AWD) vehicles equipped with independent rear suspension, when operated in extreme cold temperature and on rough roads, water and salt can intrude past the ball joint seal. The combination of theses conditions may then lead to premature wear of the ball joint. If the ball joint wear progresses to the point of separation from the lower control arm, a loss of vehicle control may occur. Correction: Dealers will replace both ball joints with new ball joints which have a revised boot and ball stud to improve the seal to the ball stud shaft.
Recall 2004446105,755 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and power sliding door on the passenger side, 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 be pushed into the seat back or armrest and a wrist or lower arm injury may result. Correction: Dealers will replace the original interior power sliding door handle. The original handles are offset from the door panel and a passenger can wrap his or her fingers around them. The replacement door handles are essentially flush with the door trim, preventing a passenger from gripping them in the same fashion.
Recall 20040286,168 units in Canada
Wheels
On certain vehicles, the aluminum wheels are not marked with "T" and "DOT" as required by CMVSS 120. Correction: Since this does not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.
Recall 200317254,634 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 225 and 210.2. The Owner's Manual does not include the location symbols for the Lower Universal Anchorage System for Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions and an explanation of the meaning of the symbols. Correction: Owner's will receive an Owner's Manual supplement.
Recall 200215114,654 units in Canada
Airbag
Certain vehicles may have a driver's side airbag inflator that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the airbag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capacity of the bag to protect the driver. Correction: Dealers are to inspect and if necessary replace the driver side airbag module assembly.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 130,000 milesNorway, MECrash2 injured
ENGINE
T-BONED CROSSING A 4WAY DUE TO VIEW OBSTRUCTION. OTHER PERSON HIT US AT 60 MILES PER HR. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED APPROX. 10 SECONDS AFTER INITIAL IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10706055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, ALCrash3 injured6 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOMATON, ALA. (AP) - A VAN CROSSED THE MEDIAN OF A HIGHWAY IN SOUTHERN ALABAMA AND COLLIDED WITH A PICKUP TRUCK, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND INJURING THREE OTHERS IN A CRASH LOCAL AUTHORITIES DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE WORST THEY HAD EVER SEEN. THE FORCE OF THE COLLISION RIPPED THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION FROM THE VEHICLE AND SCATTERED DEBRIS ALONG MORE THAN 100 YARDS OF HIGHWAY, CPL. JAMES PATTERSON WITH THE STATE PATROL. ``IT LOOKS MORE LIKE AN AIRPLANE CRASH SCENE THAN A CAR CRASH,'' SAID JIM JOHNSON OF THE FLOMATON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. ``THE VAN'S FRONT END JUST DISINTEGRATED. I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH DEBRIS. ALL THE WINDOWS EXPLODED ON IMPACT FROM THE LOOKS OF IT.'' ``THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE CRASHES WE'VE EVER HAD IN ALABAMA,'' PATTERSON SAID. HE SAID EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE INDICATED THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE VAN WERE EJECTED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY UP TO ABOUT 40 FEET FROM WHERE THE VAN CAME TO REST. A THIRD VEHICLE STRUCK THE TRANSMISSION THAT LAY IN THE ROADWAY, AND PERSONAL ITEMS SUCH AS PIECES OF A BEADED NECKLACE, EYEGLASSES AND COSMETICS AND WOMEN'S DRESS SHOES COULD BE SEEN ALONG THE ROAD. STATE TROOPERS DID NOT RELEASE THE IDENTITIES OF THE FIVE WOMEN AND ONE MAN WHO DIED. THE SIX KILLED WERE RIDING IN THE VAN, A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE.
NHTSA complaint #10615159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,000 milesPanama City, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS EASTBOUND ON A TWO LANE ROAD, AND AN ESCALADE RAN THE STOP SIGN ON THE DRIVER SIDE , AS I WAS CONTINUING DRIVING I T-BONED THE SUV, MY WHOLE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED AND DAMAGED, AND DASHBOARD CRACKED AND LIFTED, MY DAUGHTER WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND EITHER BAGS DEPLOYED. KNOW SUFFER FROM STERNUM AND BACK PAIN WITH CONCUSSION PAIN .
NHTSA complaint #10558990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,457 milesMorley, MICrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MOST OF THE DAY MAY 8,2010 BEEN DOING SOME CITY BUT MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES. STOPPED FOR AN HOUR AFTER THE FIRST 50 THEN DROVE ANOTHER 40 STOPPING AGAIN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. DROVE THE LAST 10 HOME AND LEFT CAR IDLING TO GO INTO MY HOUSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES. MY WIFE STARTED WALKING TO CAR AND WASN'T THERE YET WHEN CAR DROVE FORWARD INTO GARAGE DOOR. SHE JUMPED IN PASSENGER SIDE AND SHIFTER WAS STILL IN PARK. SCRAPED SOME OF THE PAINT OFF OF THE CAR AND SMASHED THE GARAGE DOOR. HAVE NO IDEA HOW OR WHY IT WOULD HAVE DONE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10329443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesBurlington, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ON MAY 27, 2009 I HIT A TREE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE VAN AND THEN HIT ANOTHER TREE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT AND ON THE SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND THANKFUL THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10275757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesIndianapolis, IN1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAS TWO REAR POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY STOP WHEN MAKING CONTACT WHEN ANYTHING IN THE DOORWELL, WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HER KIDS HAVE BEEN BRUISED BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING IN ITS PATH. SHE BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A SENSOR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND FEELS THAT HER KIDS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,447 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10194834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 130,000 milesNorway, MECrash2 injured
ENGINE
T-BONED CROSSING A 4WAY DUE TO VIEW OBSTRUCTION. OTHER PERSON HIT US AT 60 MILES PER HR. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED APPROX. 10 SECONDS AFTER INITIAL IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10706055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesNiagara Falls, NY
ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10679779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, ALCrash3 injured6 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOMATON, ALA. (AP) - A VAN CROSSED THE MEDIAN OF A HIGHWAY IN SOUTHERN ALABAMA AND COLLIDED WITH A PICKUP TRUCK, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND INJURING THREE OTHERS IN A CRASH LOCAL AUTHORITIES DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE WORST THEY HAD EVER SEEN. THE FORCE OF THE COLLISION RIPPED THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION FROM THE VEHICLE AND SCATTERED DEBRIS ALONG MORE THAN 100 YARDS OF HIGHWAY, CPL. JAMES PATTERSON WITH THE STATE PATROL. ``IT LOOKS MORE LIKE AN AIRPLANE CRASH SCENE THAN A CAR CRASH,'' SAID JIM JOHNSON OF THE FLOMATON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. ``THE VAN'S FRONT END JUST DISINTEGRATED. I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH DEBRIS. ALL THE WINDOWS EXPLODED ON IMPACT FROM THE LOOKS OF IT.'' ``THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE CRASHES WE'VE EVER HAD IN ALABAMA,'' PATTERSON SAID. HE SAID EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE INDICATED THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE VAN WERE EJECTED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY UP TO ABOUT 40 FEET FROM WHERE THE VAN CAME TO REST. A THIRD VEHICLE STRUCK THE TRANSMISSION THAT LAY IN THE ROADWAY, AND PERSONAL ITEMS SUCH AS PIECES OF A BEADED NECKLACE, EYEGLASSES AND COSMETICS AND WOMEN'S DRESS SHOES COULD BE SEEN ALONG THE ROAD. STATE TROOPERS DID NOT RELEASE THE IDENTITIES OF THE FIVE WOMEN AND ONE MAN WHO DIED. THE SIX KILLED WERE RIDING IN THE VAN, A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE.
NHTSA complaint #10615159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,000 milesPanama City, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS EASTBOUND ON A TWO LANE ROAD, AND AN ESCALADE RAN THE STOP SIGN ON THE DRIVER SIDE , AS I WAS CONTINUING DRIVING I T-BONED THE SUV, MY WHOLE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED AND DAMAGED, AND DASHBOARD CRACKED AND LIFTED, MY DAUGHTER WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND EITHER BAGS DEPLOYED. KNOW SUFFER FROM STERNUM AND BACK PAIN WITH CONCUSSION PAIN .
NHTSA complaint #10558990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,020 milesAuburn Hills, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEAD LAMPS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE STARTED TO HAZE. THE HAZE HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE RESTRICTING THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AT 40MPH OR HIGHER IN THE EVENING. THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE A CLEAR LENS OVER THEM AND DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME CONDITION. I HAVE CONTACTED GM. WITH MULTIPLE CALLS, E-MAILS AND A TRIP TO THE DEALER OVER A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME, I WAS CONTACTED BY GM AND TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. MY CONTENTION TO GM WAS I'M SURE WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FOR PRODUCTION THEY HAD NO IDEA THIS CONDITION EXISTED AND HAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS SINCE. I FELT THAT THE LENSES SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10550485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesShelby Twp., MI
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
REFERENCE INVESTIGATION PE 11-014. THIS ISSUE IS NOT LIMITED TO 2005-2007 GM SUVS. ON 2/26/11, MY 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE STALLED ON INTERSTATE I-75. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, BUT IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE DARK, WITH FAMILY & KIDS IN THE CAR, WITH ICY, SNOWY ROADS. THE FUEL LEVEL READING INDICATED MORE FUEL AVAILABILITY THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL SHOWED BETWEEN 1/16 AND 1/8 OF A TANK, AND THERE WAS NOT A LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT. I HAD TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN STALLED FOR A WHILE, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED - SO ROAD SERVICE FIRST TRIED PUTTING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. WITH FUEL ADDED TO THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I WAS ABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE AT THE NEXT EXIT. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 100,000 MILE, AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION - THIS DEFECT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT THIS POINT IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE. A DEALER SERVICE GARAGE VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE, AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $425 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10401386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,457 milesMorley, MICrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MOST OF THE DAY MAY 8,2010 BEEN DOING SOME CITY BUT MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES. STOPPED FOR AN HOUR AFTER THE FIRST 50 THEN DROVE ANOTHER 40 STOPPING AGAIN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. DROVE THE LAST 10 HOME AND LEFT CAR IDLING TO GO INTO MY HOUSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES. MY WIFE STARTED WALKING TO CAR AND WASN'T THERE YET WHEN CAR DROVE FORWARD INTO GARAGE DOOR. SHE JUMPED IN PASSENGER SIDE AND SHIFTER WAS STILL IN PARK. SCRAPED SOME OF THE PAINT OFF OF THE CAR AND SMASHED THE GARAGE DOOR. HAVE NO IDEA HOW OR WHY IT WOULD HAVE DONE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10329443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesBurlington, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ON MAY 27, 2009 I HIT A TREE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE VAN AND THEN HIT ANOTHER TREE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT AND ON THE SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND THANKFUL THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10275757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesST. Petersberg, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. HE THEN NOTICED SMOKE EXPELLING FROM THE AIR VENTS. IMMEDIATELY, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL SWITCH MELTED INTERNALLY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 12/08/09. *LJ THERE WAS S SHORT IN THE AC CONTROL WIRING HARNESS. UPDATED 12/10/09
NHTSA complaint #10262885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belle Vernon, PA
WHEELS
ALL WHEELS ARE CORRODED AND LEAKING AIR AROUND VALVE STEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10260445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesNiagara Falls, NY
VISIBILITY
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL; WIPERS SLOWED AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED; REPAIRED BY DEALER THEN NEXT STORM, DRIVER SIDE WIPER FAILED MID-WIPE; REPAIRED BY DEALER THEN NEXT STORM, PASSENGER SIDE WIPER WENT BEYOND WINDSHIELD YET TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10254183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MI
WHEELS
IN 2005 OR 2006 I TOOK THIS OLDS. IN BECAUSE THE CHROME ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS WAS COMING OFF THE WHEELS.....THEY SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. NOW IN 2008 THE VALVE STEMS ON ALL 4 WHEELS ARE LEAKING BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION OF THE WHEELS. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS SAFE AS MY WIFE HAS TO CHECK THE TIRES AND ADD AIR EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. I'VE HAD NEW VALVE STEMS PUT IN, BUT THEY STILL LEAK. I FEEL GM SHOULD REPLACE THE WHEELS AS THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I'M SURE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AS ALL 4 WHEELS ARE DOING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10245552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesWest Seneca, NY
WHEELS
NOTICED DECREASE IN TIRE PRESSURE ON ONE TIRE THEN ON ALL. EXAMINATION OF RIM SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON ALL RIMS BOTH EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR. LEAKAGE WAS SO BAD THAT I WAS FILLING THE TIRES DAILY. WENT TO TIRE STORE WHERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES TO HAVE THEM EXAMINED. SERVICE REP SAID IT WASN'T THE TIRES IT WAS THE CORRODED RIMS THAT WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE RIMS REPLACED (ALL 4) AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE THIS REPAIR. IN CONVERSATION WITH THE STORE REP HE COMMENTED THAT I WASN'T THE FIRST PERSON TO COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THAT HE HAD SEEM ~10 VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS. IN FACT< AS SOON AS I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM IT SEEMED THAT HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. I HAVE KEPT THE RIMS FOR EVALUATION IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED..
NHTSA complaint #10240533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesTampa, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER ACCELERATING TO PASSING GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON .. AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE THE SPARK PLUG FAILED. THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK SAID THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE #2 CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE ROCKER ARM BOLT HAD STRIPPED OUT. THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE ARE 95,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT .. THE BOLT SHOULD NOT HAVE STRIPPED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I QUESTION WHETHER THE OTHER ROCKER ARM BOLTS WILL STRIP ... GM DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY .. BECAUSE IT DIDN'T SHOW AT THE 35,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #10221104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesNEW ULN, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE 6-WAY POWER SEAT CONTROL HAS AN OPENING THAT ALLOWS THE WEBBING OF THE SEAT BELT TO GET CAUGHT IN THE CONTROL, WHICH RAISES THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE SEAT TO QUICKLY MOVE FORWARD, KNOCKING THE DRIVER'S FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND ONCE IT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DAMAGE HIS GARAGE DOOR. HE THEN PLACED MASKING TAPE OVER THE POWER SEAT CONTROL TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE CONTACT BELIEVES IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
NHTSA complaint #10214501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesIndianapolis, IN1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAS TWO REAR POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY STOP WHEN MAKING CONTACT WHEN ANYTHING IN THE DOORWELL, WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HER KIDS HAVE BEEN BRUISED BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING IN ITS PATH. SHE BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A SENSOR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND FEELS THAT HER KIDS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,447 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10194834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesAllen Park, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE GM DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10193609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,914 milesRichland, MI1 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DUE TO THE SHORT DRAIN LINE ON THE EVAPORATOR UNIT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, THE MOISTURE BLEW BACK INTO THE VEHICLE SOAKING THE FIRE WALL AND THE CARPET. THE MOISTURE CAUSED MOLD AND UNHEALTHY AIR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEADACHES AND RESPITORY PROBLEMS DUE TO THE MOLD CAUSED BY THE MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER HAD MADE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10174792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesVassar, MICrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 10-15MPH AND TURNING LEFT ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. ALTHOUGH, ALL THREE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND IS SENDING AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10159327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesVassar, MICrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 10-15MPH AND TURNING LEFT ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. ALTHOUGH, ALL THREE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND IS SENDING AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10159327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,953 milesColorado Springs, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANS CODE CAUSING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. FLUID REPLACED VEHICLE SHOWED PREVIOUSLY CLEARED SHIFT SOLENOID CODE AT THIS TIME VERIFYING PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ANOTHER OWNER. WAS FINE FOR A SHORT TIME & AGAIN EXPERIENCED SHIFTING PROBLEMS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & SOLENOID WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THREE MONTHS LATER AGAIN EXPERIENCING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW & WE ADDED FLUID TO IT. THIS PROCESS WAS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE WEEKS UNTIL WE DISCOVERED FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO COOLING SYSTEM THROUGH RADIATOR. VEHICLE OVERHEATED & RADIATOR WAS REPLACED & SYSTEM FLUSHED. A WEEK AFTER RADIATOR REPLACED, VEHICLE AGAIN STARTED TO SLIP. ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN & REPAIR SHOP HAS TOLD US THE SOLENOID NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN AND POSSIBLY THE RADIATOR ALSO. THIS VEHICLE HAS OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THE SOLENOID EVERY FEW MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10151628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,580 milesTHE Villages, FL
TIRES
THE FRONT TIRE ON THE CONSUMER'S 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE WENT FLAT SUDDENLY. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE STEEL WHICH BROKE AND CAME THROUGH THE RUBBER WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** GOODYEAR TIRES, TPC SPEC 1089MS, E13-0294149.
NHTSA complaint #10151878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT STATED THE JACK THAT CAME WITH VEHICLE BROKE APART AFTER CHANGING A TIRE. THE DEALER OFFERED A GIFT CERTIFICATE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NOTHING. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10143904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commerce Township, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
INSUFFICIENT HEADLIGHTS, DIFFICULT TO SEE AHEAD, ESPECIALLY ON RAINY NIGHTS. *BF *SC
NHTSA complaint #10107077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesOshkosh, WI1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
MY SEVEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER USED THE HANDLE OF PASSANGER SIDE REAR SLIDING POWER DOOR TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DOOR BEGAN OPENING AND JAMMED HER ELBOW INTO THE MIDDLE SEAT, PINNING HER HAND AND ARM BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND THE SEAT. THE POWER DOOR CONTINUED TO PUSH UNTIL IT BROKE HER WRIST. PE04064.
NHTSA complaint #10102825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.