33 of the 1,277 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Silhouette are about the throttle and cruise control — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.
33
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURED A COUPLE OF TIMES PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM IN ARMY & WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AT 5:30 AM MY VAN SLOWLY STARTED ACCELERATING THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE VAN WENT, BY THE TIME I REACHED THE STREET THE VAN WAS UP TO 50 MPH I WAS AFRAID SO I CALL MY HUSBAND, TOLD HIM THE SITUATION & THE STREET I WAS TRAVELING, HE WAS ON THE WAY. BY THEN I WAS UP TO 60-65 MPH, I CALLED 911 STATED THE SITUATION, ASKING FOR HELP & TO HAVE SOMEONE ON THE PHONE JUST IN CASE. I ALMOST HIT A BUS, LOOKING AHEAD A FEW BLOCKS I SAW BACK-TO-BACK TRAFFIC STARTING TO BUILD-UP, I DID NOT WANT TO HURT MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE, THEN GOING 65-70 MPH I LOOKED OVER AND SAW A PARK I TURNED THE VAN INTO THE PARK & TO STOP IT I DECIDED TO CRASH THE VAN INTO A TREE. I TURNED TOWARD THE TREE AND JUMPED OUT; THE VAN CRUSHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE TREE & CONTINUED TO KEEP GOING. I RAN AFTER IT AS I SAW THE VAN JUMP THE CURB AND GOING 70MPH TOWARDS THE ROW OF HOMES ACROSS THE STREET CRUSHED INTO A TREE HEAD ON. THE VAN ENGINE AFTER ALL THAT CONTINUED TO ROAR AS IF TRYING TO KEEP GOING. I FLAGGED DOWN A VAN AND RECALLED THE POLICE TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE THE VAN HAD STOPPED. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME & TURNED THE VAN OFF I WAS TOLD THE VAN HAD BEEN ON FIRE IT WAS TRYING TO STOP ITSELF BUT WAS BEING OVER POWERED, THE TOW GUY CAME & TOWED THE VAN AWAY. THIS IS A BLESSING KNOW ONE WAS HURT, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, & FOR THE AUTO COMPANY NOT TO INVESTIGATE IS A TRAGEDY. WHAT ARE THEY SAYING NUMEROUS PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE, BEFORE THEY WILL ADMIT THERE MAYBE A PROBLEM? JUST TO SAVE MONEY IF THAT IS THE CASE SHAME ON THEM? I AM HERE BY GRACE, BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF THOSE POSSIBLY IN THE SAME SITUATION BUT NOT ALIVE TO TELL THEIR STORY. IF THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING GOD BLESS THE ROADS WE DRIVE ON THAT THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT THINK TO DO WHAT I DID. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME POSTS MY STORY.
NHTSA complaint #10327245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE DAY SHE PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WITH THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT, AND TRACTION OFF LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN SHE DROVE OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BOTH BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND VIBRATE. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATING WILL STOP IF SHE TURNS THE TRACTION SYSTEM OFF. THAT SAME DAY. WHEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY BOTH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD VIBRATE AND WOULD NOT LET HER PRESS THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATE UNTIL IT STOPS VIBRATING. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WORKED THE FIRST TIMES SHE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE. ONCE OFF THE PARKING LOT IT WOULD NOT WORK, IT WOULD ONLY LOCK THE VEHICLE AND IT MADE THE ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATE. SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO BUY A BATTERY FOR THE KEYLESS REMOTE. WHEN SHE DID, IT STILL DID NOT WORK. THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD ONLY DEACTIVATE WHEN SHE OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH THE KEY AND TURNED THE VEHICLE ON. ALL OF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,900. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS 03/14/2008. KG
NHTSA complaint #10222931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THE ACCELERATOR CABLE SNAPPED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A STOP SIGN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC LEADING TO LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS ALMOST LED TO THE CAR GETTING REAR ENDED. QUICK THINKING BY MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING, ENABLED HER TO GET INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE, CUT ACROSS INCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN DRIVE OVER THE CURB AND INTO A VACANT LOT TO AVOID BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR. THIS DAMAGED THE FRONT WHEELS, SCRAPED THE UNDERCARRIAGE AREA AND KNOCKED THE FRONT WHEELS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CABLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT APPEARS THIS MAY BE A POTENTIAL DESIGN DEFECT SINCE THE CABLE MAY BE RUBBING AGAINST THE HOUSING AS IT EXITS THE FIREWALL AND CONNECTS TO THE PEDAL LINKAGE. THE CABLE WAS FRAYED SUGGESTING IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #10211904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR CABLE SNAPPED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A STOP SIGN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC LEADING TO LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS ALMOST LED TO THE CAR GETTING REAR ENDED. QUICK THINKING BY MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING, ENABLED HER TO GET INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE, CUT ACROSS INCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN DRIVE OVER THE CURB AND INTO A VACANT LOT TO AVOID BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR. THIS DAMAGED THE FRONT WHEELS, SCRAPED THE UNDERCARRIAGE AREA AND KNOCKED THE FRONT WHEELS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CABLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT APPEARS THIS MAY BE A POTENTIAL DESIGN DEFECT SINCE THE CABLE MAY BE RUBBING AGAINST THE HOUSING AS IT EXITS THE FIREWALL AND CONNECTS TO THE PEDAL LINKAGE. THE CABLE WAS FRAYED SUGGESTING IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #10211904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON TWO OCCASIONS IN 2005, WE HAD INCIDENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE OWN A 1999 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVAN AND IN GENERAL IT HAS BEEN A TROUBLE-FREE VEHICLE. IT IS WELL-MAINTAINED BY THE CHEVROLET-OLDSMOBILE DEALER. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND EASING INTO A PARKING PLACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN ABOUT 5 FEET FROM A CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF HER, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SINCE SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE SHE MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I WAS EASING THE CAR INTO OUR GARAGE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND AS I APPROACHED RACKS AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, THE TIRES SQUEALED FORWARD BUT SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I MANAGED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE RACK. I MEASURED THE DISTANCE FROM THE TIRE MARKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE BUMPER WAS ABOUT 3 FEET FROM THE RACK WHEN THE TIRES SPUN. IF I OR MY WIFE HAD PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ACCIDENTALLY, WE COULD NOT HAVE POSSIBLY STOPPED IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I AM A RETIRED MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND I CAN ASSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS CORRECT. IN BOTH CASES WE WERE USING OUR RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. WE SUSPECT THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH WAS ACTIVATED IN BOTH CASES. WE HAVE SINCE BEEN CAREFUL TO KEEP IT DEACTIVATED. BECAUSE OF THE TIRE STREAKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, I CAN PROVE THAT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE HAVE NOT HAD A RECURRENCE SINCE WE HAVE KEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #10162874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DT: THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WAS HEADING FOR INTERSECTION WHEN HE REALIZED THAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. HE HAD TO TURN RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HE THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING. HE DID NOT CONTACT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10142177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM DOWN ON THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONSUMER ANTICIPATED THIS PROBLEM MAY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED VIA PHONE, BUT NO INSPECTION WAS MADE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10119235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING AT SPEED EVEN AFTER THE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. THE ONLY SYMPTOM JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT WAS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD MORE RESISTANCE THAN NORMAL WHEN PRESSING IT. DOWNSHIFTING GEARS OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE AT A HIGH RPM. HAD TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 60,000 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PREFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PAST 3,000 MILES. OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BASICALLY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BREAK OVER TIME, AND THERE IS NO ISSUE. FILE # IS 1-262177273.
NHTSA complaint #10093560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING AT SPEED EVEN AFTER THE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. THE ONLY SYMPTOM JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT WAS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD MORE RESISTANCE THAN NORMAL WHEN PRESSING IT. DOWNSHIFTING GEARS OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE AT A HIGH RPM. HAD TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 60,000 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PREFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PAST 3,000 MILES. OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BASICALLY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BREAK OVER TIME, AND THERE IS NO ISSUE. FILE # IS 1-262177273.
NHTSA complaint #10093560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY VEHICLE IS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE, VIN #[XXX]. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 8:15 AM, 04/25/2004, AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT COIT ROAD AND WEST 15TH STREET INTERSECTION, CITY OF PLANO, TEXAS. I WAS HEADING SOUTH ON COIT ROAD. AFTER ON AND OFF THUNDERSTORMS SINCE THURSDAY NIGHT, 4/22/2004, IT WAS DRIZZLING AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS WET. I STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS RED. I WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE SPEED WENT UP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE WHILE MY RIGHT FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAD TO USE ALL MY BODY WEIGHT TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING AHEAD. THE WHOLE ORDEAL LASTED ABOUT 5 TO 7 SECONDS. *AK WE HAVE THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEM. IT IS A RELIABLE VEHICLE AS FAR AS WE KNOW. THIS INCIDENCE REALLY SHAKES US UP. IF I COULD NOT STOPPED THE SILHOUETTE TODAY, I WOULD BE BROADSIDED, WITH MY CHILDREN AND WIFE IN THE MINIVAN, BY VEHICLES TRAVELING FROM EAST TO WEST ON 15TH STREET. NOW, WE AREN'T SURE IF THIS IS ONE TIME INCIDENT OR THIS VEHICLE IS A TIME BOMB.*AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10067792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
NO CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CONSOLE TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THERE IS NO MENTION OF A LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE. I ASKED THE DEALER AND HE SAID THAT GM MUST HAVE DELETED THE LIGHT. THE CHEVROLET VERSION OF THIS MODEL HAS A CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10052878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEEDOMETER ISN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN I GOT THIS VAN FROM MY GRANDFATHER (WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER) THE SPEEDOMETER HAD NOT BEEN WORKING FOR A LONG TIME AND IS STILL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10049559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS? ENGINE WILL REV HIGHER THAN NORMAL (1500 - 3500 RPMS). THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN FIRST STARTING (COLD) OR WHEN DRIVING (HOT). SOME TIMES I CAN GET IT TO STOP BE SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS. VAN HAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES ON IT AND IS DRIVEN 400 - 500 MILES A WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #10045074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10031230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EXPERIENCE ENGINE POWER SURGE WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND ENGINE SURGED. FIRM APPLICATION OF BRAKE FAILED TO COMPLETELY STOP VEHICLE, HAD TO SHIFT GEAR TO NEUTRAL. DEALER EVALUATION 3/13/03 REVEALED NO PROBLEM. SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WHILE SPOUSE DRIVING 01/14/03 RESULTING IN BROKEN AIR DAM FROM PARKING CURB.
NHTSA complaint #10010461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN A PARKING LOT WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED PARKING CURB AND CONTINUED FORWARD FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 FT. BEFORE STOPPING. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE SO HARD THAT YOU COULD SMELL BURNT BRAKES FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER CARS NEARBY OR SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. HAS THIS BEEN REPORTED BY ANYONE ELSE? INCIDENTLY, I AM NOT A TWO FOOTED DRIVER. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THIS ALL HAPPENED FOR A MATTER OF SECONDS AND THE ACCELLERATION STOPPED AND THE CAR CAME TO A HALT.
NHTSA complaint #766478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 3/99. IN WHICH TIME I HAVE HAD TO BRING IT BACK FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS, BRAKES, NON WORKING CRUISE CONTROL WHICH LED TO THE DEALER REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR. FRONT END LEAKED ANTI FREEZE WHICH LED TO ANOTHER MAJOR JOB. I AM NOT A HAPPY MOTORIST HERE. THE STEERING COLUMN SQUEEKED. THEY GREASED IT. TURNED OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACKINPINION. I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT CARS AND I KNOW THAT FOR THE AMOUNT I PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE, I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS. BANDADE FIXES DON'T CUT IT WITH ME. NLM
NHTSA complaint #760804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THROTTLE CABLE BROKE WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATING. TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE DRIVER COMPLETELY SHUT VEHICLE DOWN. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE ORIGINAL CABLE WAS ROUTED INCORRECTLY. PHOTOS ATTACHED.
NHTSA complaint #8005375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, SEAT IS ABLE TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS KIDS THAT USED THE SEAT, AND HAS NO COOPERATION FROM THE DEALER. PER INVOICE, THE VEHICLE IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING; THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (STALLS & SURGES)-NEEDS TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING AT THE UPPER PLENUM, AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8003640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.