71 of the
1,277 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Silhouette
are about the seat belts —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1990.
MY COMPLAINT IS THE FACT THAT COMPANIES NEED TO TRACK DOWN ANY OWNER OF A VEHICLE THAT THEIR COMPANY MAKES. MY DAD PURCHASED THIS OLDSMOBILE VAN, IT WAS A USED VEHICLE, HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS, AND AIR BAGS. I SHARED A MAIL BOX WITH HIM, AND I GOT THE MAIL EVERY DAY, SO I KNOW HE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO ON THIS. IN 2010 MY DAD WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK THAT WAS NOT HIS FAULT, IF YOU LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT EVEN AS BAD AS SOME YOU SEE, BUT IT WAS HIS FRONT END THAT WAS HIT STRAIGHT ON. MY DAD DID NOT LIVE, HE DIED THE NEXT DAY. THE PERSON THERE ON THE SCENE TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT IT HADN'T APPEARED TO HAVE HELD HIM, AND UNSURE IF THE AIR BAG COMPLETELY INFLATED. HE WAS THE ONLY FAMILY I HAD LEFT, NO PARENTS, NO GRANDPARENTS, NO SIBLINGS, AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, AND I COULD STILL HAVE HIM HERE WITH ME, IF HE WAS ONLY NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT OTHERS TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE. THE NEUROSURGEON COULD NOT BELIEVE THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURIES IN COMPARISON TO OTHER ACCIDENTS, HIS WERE TRAUMATIC, HE HAD A SEVERE BRAIN INJURY, AND CRUSHED CHEST INJURIES, WHICH GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE BELT NOR BAG DID NOT WORK RIGHT, AND HE FELT THE FULL FORCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10850130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY REMAIN IN PARK IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT LINKAGE CABLE WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE DOOR LATCH AND SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 05/05/11
NHTSA complaint #10386019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH A CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINED IN A BOOSTER SEAT WITH THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT, THE WEBBING SHOULDER STRAP BECAME ENTANGLED AROUND THE CHILD'S NECK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE WEBBING STRAP UPWARD CREATING SOME SLACK WHILE A BYSTANDER UNBOLTED THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FREEING THE CHILD. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/20/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10169740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT, LESS THAN 20 MPH. I HAD THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTED TO THE LOWEST POSITION, I AM ONLY 5'3. UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT MOVED TO THE TOP POSITION. SO, INSTEAD OF BEING ON MY SHOULDER, IT ENDED UP ACROSS MY NECK. THE SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK, AND ALSO LEFT A BURN, AND A BRUISE.
NHTSA complaint #10146070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AWD DISABLE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WERE REPLACED (FOUR TIMES).*AK THE EVAP SOLENOID, FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TWICE. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED. THE RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR ACTUATOR MODULE FAILED. REAR WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A/C CONDENSER FAILED. ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10114146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RIGHT SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE OR RETRACT. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD ENGAGE AND RETRACT AN ITS OWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SEAT BELT NEEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10109378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT BACK INTO ITS HOLSTER. THIS RESULTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER NOT BEING RESTRAINED IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10073486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATBELT-2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE BELT KEEPS PULLING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AND LOCKING. CHILDREN WOULD REFUSE TO WEAR IT BECAUSE OF THE DISCOMFORT. REPLACED AND SEEMS FINE NOW. COMPUTER CONTROL- STILL ONGOING, BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, ALTERNATER HAS BEEN REPLACED, STILL HAPPENING. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL OFF INDICATOR LIGHT, ABS INDICATOR LIGHT, AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT, ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. VAN HESITATES AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO DIM THEN BRIGHT. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT TROUBLE BUT AFTER THEY WORK ON IT, IT GOES AWAY FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND STARTS AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10071259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST ISSUE: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. I REPLACED THE BLADES AND THERES NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY MIGHT GO UP/DOWN 2 OR 3 TIMES THEN GET STUCK IN UP POSITION, SOON DISCOVERED THAT HITTING BUMPS CORRECTED FOR FEW SECONDS THEN AGAIN, THEY WOULD FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP & THEY SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE BEARING WAS LOOSE & LATER I REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. #2: THE FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE & FLOATS WITH ACCELERATION OR TURNS. THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ONLY ILLUMINATES AFTER YOU'VE RAN OUT OF GAS, YOU ARE OUT OF GAS WHEN NEEDLE IS SLIGHTLY ABOVE 1/4 TANK MARK. #3: THE FRONT DRIVER SEATBELT FAILS TO RETRACT & OFTEN IS SHUT IN DOOR B/C OF FAILURE. ALSO THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT/SIGNAL WILL ONLY OPERATE AFTER YOU WIGGLE FLOOR ATTACHED BUCKLE. #4: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATES & REMAINS LIT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE TROUBLE CODE THE PCM DOES NOT COMMUNICATE W/ SCOPE DIAGNOSTER OR WHEN USING ALDL JUMPER WIRE METHOD THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT NEVER FLASHES THE CODES. #5: THE DRIVER ELECTRIC WINDOW JUMPS WHEN LOWERING & OFTEN FALLS FROM 1/2 UP POSITION & THE PASSENGER WINDOW ROOLS ONLY 1/2 DOWN THEN MUST BE PULLED UP BY HAND. ALSO, IT MAKES A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE. #6: DRIVER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN & LIFTGATE LOCK/LATCH DOES NOT LOCK & IS LOOSE. #7: TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY @55MPH. WHEN I KILL THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY, THE RESTARTING PROBLEM SUBSIDED TEMPORARILY & ALSO SAFETY SWITHCHES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (WOULD NOT START IN NEUTRAL). I REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION & REPLACED ALL ASSOCIATED SWITCHES/MODULES.
NHTSA complaint #10062592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST ISSUE: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. I REPLACED THE BLADES AND THERES NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY MIGHT GO UP/DOWN 2 OR 3 TIMES THEN GET STUCK IN UP POSITION, SOON DISCOVERED THAT HITTING BUMPS CORRECTED FOR FEW SECONDS THEN AGAIN, THEY WOULD FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP & THEY SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE BEARING WAS LOOSE & LATER I REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. #2: THE FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE & FLOATS WITH ACCELERATION OR TURNS. THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ONLY ILLUMINATES AFTER YOU'VE RAN OUT OF GAS, YOU ARE OUT OF GAS WHEN NEEDLE IS SLIGHTLY ABOVE 1/4 TANK MARK. #3: THE FRONT DRIVER SEATBELT FAILS TO RETRACT & OFTEN IS SHUT IN DOOR B/C OF FAILURE. ALSO THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT/SIGNAL WILL ONLY OPERATE AFTER YOU WIGGLE FLOOR ATTACHED BUCKLE. #4: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATES & REMAINS LIT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE TROUBLE CODE THE PCM DOES NOT COMMUNICATE W/ SCOPE DIAGNOSTER OR WHEN USING ALDL JUMPER WIRE METHOD THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT NEVER FLASHES THE CODES. #5: THE DRIVER ELECTRIC WINDOW JUMPS WHEN LOWERING & OFTEN FALLS FROM 1/2 UP POSITION & THE PASSENGER WINDOW ROOLS ONLY 1/2 DOWN THEN MUST BE PULLED UP BY HAND. ALSO, IT MAKES A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE. #6: DRIVER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN & LIFTGATE LOCK/LATCH DOES NOT LOCK & IS LOOSE. #7: TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY @55MPH. WHEN I KILL THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY, THE RESTARTING PROBLEM SUBSIDED TEMPORARILY & ALSO SAFETY SWITHCHES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (WOULD NOT START IN NEUTRAL). I REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION & REPLACED ALL ASSOCIATED SWITCHES/MODULES.
NHTSA complaint #10062592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY, TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AND MY SON (5YRS, IN A CAR SEAT), WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FIRST ROW BEHIND THE PASSENGER, SLAMMED HIS HEAD AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT. MY WIFE BLAMED ME FOR NOT FASTENING HIM IN CORRECTLY. SO I LET HER DO IT, AND WE BOTH YANKED ON THE SEAT BELT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS OK. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. MY WIFE TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER TO GET A NEW LATCH. WHILE WE WERE WAITING FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE, I WAS DRIVING AGAIN WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. MY SON NOW SITTING IN THE BACK ROW IN HIS CAR SEAT, AGAIN HIT THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. NOW THE DEALER SAYS THAT THEY NEVER TOLD US THEY WOULD GET US ANOTHER PART, AND THAT WE HAD TO CALL GM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND A REP OUT AND NEVER HAVE. FURTHERMORE WE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT SAID OUR PARTS WERE IN AFTER THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULDN'T GET THE PARTS. ALL WE WANT IS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED UNDER HARD BRAKING AND THE TWO LATCHES REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10062368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATED THAT ONCE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS INSTALLED SEAT BELT RETRACTED, ALLOWING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO BE REMOVED. WHEN TRYING TO REINSTALL THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT THE SEAT BELT REMAINED LOCKED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REINSTALL THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ONCE IT HAD BEEN REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #10044831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SEAT BELT FOR THE RIGHT SIDE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT KEP TIGHTENING UP ON THE PASSENGER LEADING TO RELEASING IT FOR COMFORT. EVENTUALLY THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. HAD IT REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM KEP RECURRING AFTER A FEW DAYS OF USE. THE DEALER NOW REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10029250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS IN THE SECOND ROW CAPTAIN CHAIRS RELEASED IN A CAR ACCIDENT (ROLL OVER). SEAT BELT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXPANDED STILL CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO BE THROWN AROUND IN THE ROLL OVER. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY! -OLDS HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10028576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.