93 of the
1,277 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Silhouette
are about the lighting —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PLACE AT WORSHIP WHEN A FRIEND TOLD ME I HAD NO BACKUP LIGHTS. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE AUTO SUPPLY STORE. REPLACING THE BULBS DID NOT WORK. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT ELSEWHERE. SAME STORY. WENT TO THE HE TRANSMISSION STORE. THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT AND IT WOULD COST ME $1897.00 TO FIX IT. TWO LITTLE BULBS. THAT WAS A YEAR AGO AND I'M STILL DRIVING IT. I TRY TO BACK INTO SPACES SO I DON'T HAVE TO BACK OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID TO REPLACE THE WIRING ASSEMBLY WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. AND THE SEAT BELT CLICKS IN BUT SOMETIMES SLIPS OUT IF I STOP QUICKLY IF SOMEONE CUTS ME OFF. NOT GOOD AT ALL.THE POWER TRAIN IS ERRATIC AT BEST. I WONDER IF I'M GOING TO MAKE IT HOME QUITE A LOT AND I AM DISABLED. IT SHUDDERS WHEN IT STARTS OUT, MAKING IT DANGEROUS IN TIGHT DRIVING SITUATIONS(CHICAGO).IT SLIDES OR SLIPS. I'VE BEEN TOLD TIME AND TIME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. BUT WHEN YOU TELL A CAR TO GO, IT SHOULD GO...ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO ACT LIKE A STUBBORN DUMB MULE! AND THE DOORS QUIT WORKING AS DID THE AC AND IT EATS TIRES EVEN THOUGH ITS ALIGNED AND BALANCED. I FIXED THE SHOWER WITH 25 YEAR SILICONE. I DIDN'T NEED MY HAIR WASHED WHILE I DROVE. ITS ONLY 15 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND ITS A PIECE OF JUNK. A VERY EXPENSIVE PIECE OF JUNK. COOLANT LOW ALWAYS STAYS ON AND IT ISN'T. GAS GAUGE IS ALWAYS EMPTY WHEN YOU FILL IT AND FULL IF ITS EMPTY. I TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE BY HOW MANY MILES I'VE GONE DIVIDED INTO HOW MANY GALS OF GAS I PURCHASED. KEEP THE BOOKS OR WALK!!!!! GARBAGE. CAR!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10733484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SLOWLY BUT SURELY, SOME OF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN FAILING. IT FIRST STARTED WITH LIGHTS BURNING OUT REPEATEDLY, THEN WENT TO TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEN WENT TO POWER WINDOWS FUNCTIONING IMPROPERLY, THEN THE TEMPERATURE/MPG/OIL DISPLAY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, THEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND THE PROBLEMS GOT EVEN WORSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE DRIFTING UP TO 3 FEET BACKWARDS IF ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND IN DRIVE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THESE ISSUES AND RESOLVE. I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY DUE TO THE INCREASING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THIS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD. WE HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE SWITCHES FOR THE WINDOWS, THE BULBS AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE ISSUES WITH THE WINDOWS GET BETTER WHEN THE SWITCH IS REPLACED AND THEN GET EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE IN NO TIME FLAT. IN ADDITION TO THESE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS REPEATEDLY.
NHTSA complaint #10369410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOG LAMP ASSEMBLIES MOUNTED IN LOWER FRONT BUMPER ARE DEFECTIVE. I FEEL THEY ARE POORLY CONSTRUCTED AS WELL. THE SOLID GLASS LENS SEPARATES FROM THE HOUSING. DRIVER SIDE FELL OFF MY VAN GOING DOWN MY STREET. UPON INSPECTION, PASSENGER SIDE FELL APART IN MY HANDS. IF THIS GLASS HOUSING WERE TO FALL OFF VEHICLE AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, IT COULD POSSIBLY INJURE SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #10262369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE DIMMER THAN NORMAL. THERE WAS FROST COVERING THE LENS THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED CASE NUMBER 71-565553437 AND ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN FROST ON THE HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $643. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT ON OCTOBER 23, 2007. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND THEY COULD SELL HIM THE PARTS FOR $465. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #10207212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE SILLOETTE THE HEADLIGHTS (LEFT & RIGHT) LEAK VERY BAD. AFTER DRIVING IN THE RAIN I MAY HAVE A INCH OF WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF MY HEADLIGHTS. BECAUSE OF THIS THE HEAT & MOISTURE HAVE DISCOLLERED THE PLASTIC LENSES ON THE HEADLIGHTS NOW MAKING IT HARD TO SE AT NIGHT, AND THE BULB HAVE TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR SO. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM YET!
NHTSA complaint #10198236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT COVERS HAVE CLOUDED AND BECOME HAZY DUE TO SUN EXPOSURE OVER TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. IN MY OPINION THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE DIMMER THAN WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SAFE LEVEL OF BRIGHTNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10182013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. DRIVER ELECTRIC SEAT "REPAIRED" SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. DEALER REPAIRED REAR COMPRESSOR AND BROKE COVER LATCH. THEY PUT A HOLE IN THE FRONT BUMPER AT THIS TIME. PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW CHOOSES NOT TO WORK AT RANDOM AND BACK LEFT SIDE WINDOW SOMETIMES DOES NOT CLOSE. TAPE PLAYER HAS ATE TAPES SINCE PURCHASE. NO AIR CONDITIONING!
NHTSA complaint #10168292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT INDICATOR LIGHTS BULB SOCKET IS GETTING HOT THAT IT IS SMOKING AND PUTTING OUT A FILM THAT IS CLOUDING THE INSIDE OF THE BLINDER LENS, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE CLEAR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. UPDATED ON 06/08/2006.
NHTSA complaint #10157590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEADLIGHTS UNSAFE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. EXCESSIVE MOISTURE BUILDUP IN THE HEADLIGHT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW HAS LED TO EXCESSIVE CLOUDING OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS. ALSO, THE PLASTIC LENS HAS BEGUN TO DISINTEGRATE AND FEELS "ROUGH" TO THE TOUCH (I.E. NO LONGER SMOOTH WHEN TOUCHING THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE LENS). NIGHTTIME LIGHTING CAPABILITY HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ABOUT 60% DUE TO FAULTY HEADLIGHT LENS. VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10154244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEADLIGHTS UNSAFE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. EXCESSIVE MOISTURE BUILDUP IN THE HEADLIGHT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW HAS LED TO EXCESSIVE CLOUDING OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS. ALSO, THE PLASTIC LENS HAS BEGUN TO DISINTEGRATE AND FEELS "ROUGH" TO THE TOUCH (I.E. NO LONGER SMOOTH WHEN TOUCHING THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE LENS). NIGHTTIME LIGHTING CAPABILITY HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ABOUT 60% DUE TO FAULTY HEADLIGHT LENS. VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10154244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. AND THEY COULD TAKE THE HEADLIGHTS APART AND BLOW AIR INTO THEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10143888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY OF THIS VAN AND SISTER VEHICLES PONTIAC MONTANAS AND CHEVROLET VENTURES FILL WITH MOISTURE AND KEEP THE FULL LIGHT FROM SHINING ON THE ROADWAY AND BEING FULLY VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES - THIS HAS OCCURED IN MY VAN TWICE AND I HAVE NOTICED AT LEAST 10 OTHER VANS OF THESE MAKES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10132652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY OF THIS VAN AND SISTER VEHICLES PONTIAC MONTANAS AND CHEVROLET VENTURES FILL WITH MOISTURE AND KEEP THE FULL LIGHT FROM SHINING ON THE ROADWAY AND BEING FULLY VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES - THIS HAS OCCURED IN MY VAN TWICE AND I HAVE NOTICED AT LEAST 10 OTHER VANS OF THESE MAKES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10132652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. HAS TWO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GM , THE OTHER VEHICLE IS A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA. THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED AND WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE. SHE HAS TO TURN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHEN SHE TRYING TO STOP. SHE HAS HEARD ABOUT SEVERAL OTHER 1999 -2000 MODELS THAT HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THESE VEHICLES ARE USED AS TAXI VEHICLES . THEY HAVE TO BE RIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE HAULING PASSENGERS. THE PONTIAC WAS PURCHASED TWO YEARS AGO, AND IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE OLDSMOBILE WAS PURCHASED FOUR MONTHS AGO AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED SINCE PURCHASING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10132248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING, WHEEL HUB & ABS, FUEL PUMP. WHEEL BEARINGS DISABLE AWD. BEEN REPLACED 8 TIMES. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AT 52000 PART ALONE $400. AIR CONDITIONING OUT WHEN BOUGHT IT. THEY SCAMMED ME AND PUT A SEALANT IN THE CONDESER AND SOLD IT IN THE WINTER. THESE ITEM SHOULD BE REPLACED BY GM BECAUSE ITS AN ON GIONG PROBLEM WITH THE BEARING HUBS AND A BAD DESIGN ON THE CONDENSER. MY FATHER INLAW WORKS FOR GM ALONG WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AGAIN!!! P.S. WHO EVER WAS THE BRIGHT ONE TO DESIGN TAIL LIGHT THAT PLUG IN FROM THE TOP AND LET WATER FILL YOU TAIL LIGHT SHOULD BE FIRED!!!DK
NHTSA complaint #10128899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STOP LAMP BULBS ARE SHORTING OUT AT CONNECTOR TO SOCKETS. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES SO FAR. THREE TIMES ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ONCE ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE RESULT IS A MELTED BASE ON OEM BULBS WITH PLASTIC BASES AND AN INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHT. FREQUENT FAILURES OF STOP LAMPS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. 2 OF THE BULBS ARE AVAILABLE
NHTSA complaint #10126270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT CONSUMER PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SET TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10111213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEADLIGHT FAILURE, DIMMING AND FLICKERING OF ELECTRIC SYSTEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN 2001. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING SINCE 2003. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP AND THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FLICKER.
NHTSA complaint #10104749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.