42 of the 1,277 complaints filed about the Oldsmobile Silhouette are about the seats — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.
42
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
SEATS
IT JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STOP WORKING THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM NON STOP I BOUGHT FUSE AND THAT DIDN'T WORK I GOT NEW LIGHTS PARK AID STOP WORKING, BOTH HEATED SEATS STOP WORKING, ELECTRICAL GONE BAD IN THE WHOLE.
NHTSA complaint #10390467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
2002 SILHOUETTE, 39000 MILES. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. HAD REPAIRED, WITHIN 50 MILES AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS A GRINDING WHEN TURNING RIGHT. BOTH HEATED SEATS DIDN'T HEAT. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OPERATED EXTREMELY SLOW. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT!, $1000!, 39000 MILES FOLKS! AIR SUSPENSION DID NOT OPERATE CRACKLED. POWER DOORS DID NOT OPEN WHEN SOMETHING GOT IN THE WAY. BRUISED SHOULDER BECAUSE OF THIS. PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, REPLACED TIRES AT 30,000 MILES. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE. STORED IN A GARAGE MORE HIGHWAY MILES THAN CITY. HOW DID GM WANT TO HELP ME? DEALER DID PAPERWORK WHEN PURCHASING, TRIED TO PUSH OFF A CHEAPER MODEL ON AN ELDERLY WOMEN, AND CHANGED THE PROMISED 5 YEAR WARRANTY TO A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. MOTHER WAS JUST SO HAPPY SHE GOT THE RIGHT VEHICLE TO TAKE HOME, SHE NEVER NOTICED THE CHANGE IN THE WARRANTY. TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER ON REPAIRS SINCE THERE WERE ONLY 39000 MILES, AND WE GOT A 'GEE, REALLY SORRY MA'AM, I UNDERSTOOD, BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT. WENT TO THE GM SERVICE LINE, AND DID NOT GET ANY HELP THERE EITHER, BUT SHE HAD A REAL PURDY FIRST NAME! SEEMED TO ME THESE WERE ALL RECURRING PREMATURE KNOWN FAILURES , YET GM DID NOT CARE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT! IT WAS A SHAME THEY PUSHED THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY SO EXTENSIVELY WHEN THEY HAD ALL THESE VEHICLES ON THEIR LOTS. PEOPLE, WE'VE BEEN HAD. I GREW UP IN OLDSMOBILE, BUT THE MORE I READ ABOUT GM - THE MORE LIKELY I AM TO BUY TOYOTA! THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I FOUND A DEALER (NOT CLOSE TO HOME THOUGH) THAT WAS WILLING TO AT LEAST REPAIR THE FIRST SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS FOR $100. GOT THAT ON MY OWN, NOT THROUGH GM SERVICE HELP. I JUST HOPE THEY WILL BE AS NICE FOR THE NEXT SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS THAT NEED REPLACEMENT AND FOR THE GASKET THAT WAS JUST DISCOVERED. STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM GM ON THE OTHER ISSUES. (NOT AS AN IMMEDIATE NEED AS THE WHEEL BEARINGS) I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH.
NHTSA complaint #10191801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
OUR 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. THE ISSUES ARE PLACED IN A CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. ALL EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 50K MILES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF ALL RECALLS. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND THE LAST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED A CHAFED WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OTHER TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WE GOT TIRED OF BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD FAILED. AT 66K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SUN GEAR. I HAD TO REPLACE TIE RODS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE ON EACH SIDE. ONCE AROUND 70K AND ONCE AROUND 115K. THE FUEL ASCENDING UNIT FAILED AROUND 90K. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CV AXLE. LIGHTS IN THE HEATER CONTROLS HAVE BLOWN AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THEM IS TO SOLDER NEW BULBS ONTO THE CONTROL MODULE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED ON 1ST AND 2ND SPEED. WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE OVERHEATING ISSUES AS SEEN BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT MYCARSTATS.COM. THIS RELATES TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD THREE SEPARATE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THIS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER THE UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE BLAMED ON THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANY OF THE REPAIRS WHERE COSTLY. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS NEVER FIXED. WE DECIDED TO PASS THIS GM PIECE OF JUNK ON. IT HAD 137K MILES. MOST OF THE MILES DRIVEN WHERE HIGHWAY, VERY FEW CITY AND STOP-AND-GO.
NHTSA complaint #10163466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER FAILED. VERY COSTLY FOR THE DEALER TO REPAIR IT AND YOU CAN'T BUY THE HEATING PAD FROM A JUNK YARD.
NHTSA complaint #10143277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER SLIDING DOOR ONLY WORKS MANUALLY, DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT HAVE EITHER MANUAL OR ELECTRONIC CONTROL. *TS THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10141033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT: CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS SEAT HEATER BURNED OUT EVERY YEAR. HEATERS BURNED OUT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WINTERS. THE LAST TIME DEALER DID NOT WANT TO FIX IT, BUT EVENTUALLY DID. CONSUMER FELT THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE HEATERS GO OUT EVERY WINTER. ALSO, THE HEATERS GET EXTREMELY HOT, AND THIS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10131610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DT: THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME AND BACK REST SPLIT APART, ON THE INSIDE. THE CONSUMER HAD IT WELDED BACK TOGETHER AND PUT A BRACE ON THE SEAT. THE DEALER (ALICIA MILAM 866-932-4368 X38573) REFUSED TO FIX IT. REF# 1-325360723. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS ADJUSTING HIS POSITION WHEN THE SEAT BACK HAD GIVEN AWAY AND FELL BACK. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10120451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
BACK REAR DOUBLE BRACKET THAT HOLDS ELECTRIC SLIDING DRIVERS SIDE SEAT ON THE MAIN FRAME BOLTED TO THE CHASIS OF THE VEHICLE HAS SHEERED OFF DURING NORMAL SEAT USE. FOUND BROKEN BRACKET UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT. COULD POSE A SAFETY CONCERN IF PERSON IS INVOLVED IN CRASH AND THE ENTIRE SEAT BREAKS AWAY FROM ITS MOUNTING.
NHTSA complaint #10117877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
THE REMOVABLE REAR BACK SEATS LOCKING MECHANISIM IN THE 2004 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE VAN HAS CAUGHT MY FINGER INCURING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN MEDICAL FEES. THE UNDERCARRIGE MOVES BACKWARD WHEN THE FRONT BRACKET IS ENGAGED AND EASILY PINCHES A HAND OR FINGER.APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FAIURE.I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE.PLS ADVISE KIM JACKSON
NHTSA complaint #10091004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS FRONT SEATS ARE TOO LOW, AND EVEN WITH THE HEADREST EXTENDED, IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO BE REAR ENDED THERE WOULD BE NO SUPPORT FOR THE SHOULDERS OR HEAD. THE SEAT BACKS ARE TOO LOW TO BE CONSIDERED SAFE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S RIGHT METAL SEAT BOLSTER HAS DISPLACED PADDING ALLOWING THE SHARP METAL FRAME TO BE EXPOSED BENEATH THE LEATHER. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HARM THE DRIVER IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10002764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
WHILE BACKING UP CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE BECAUSE HEAD RESTRAINT IS TO HIGH. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE METAL FRAME SEAT BOLSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS BROKEN THROUGH THE FOAM CUSION AND HAS BEGUN TO DAMAGE THE LEATHER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS VEHICLE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE METAL WOULD IMPALE THE DRIVER. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE THEY WOULD RECONGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM. A RELATIVE HAS THE EXACT SAME MINI-VAN (YEAR AND MODEL) AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIR FROM AN INDEPENDENT AUTO UPHOLSTERY SHOP AND FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT WHEN I TOLD THE GENTLEMAN WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLE IT WAS HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS PRIOR TO LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE. HE INDICATED THAT HE HAS REPAIRED MANY OF THESE. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS REDESIGNED THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SEATS IN THE SILHOUETTE, EITHER PROVIDING MORE SEAT FRAME PROTECTION OR REMOVING THE METAL PORTION THAT IS PROTRUDING FROM MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10000607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WHEN FOLDING THE REAR SEAT DOWN IT CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER STATED THE OCCUPANT WAS UNABLE TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR THE THIRD ROW SEAT HAD AN OPEN GEAR MECHANISM THAT SERVERED THE SEAT BELTS ON EACH SIDE. THE PLASTIC GUARD WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE BELT. THE SEATS WERE SEVERED BY THE REAR FOLDING PROCESS AND THE DRIVER'S MANUAL DOESN'T CAUTION THE POSSIBILITY. GM STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS A WEAR ISSUE WITHOUT EXAMINING THE VEHICLE. SCC
NHTSA complaint #8022041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
THE VEHICLE DEFECT INVOLVES POOR VISIBILITY FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS HARDLY ANY RIGHT REAR VISION ; REDUCED VISION FROM THE FRONT MIRROR THRU THE REAR WINDOW; REDUCED VISION FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE LEFT REAR. THE PROBLEM IS PRESENT WHEN CHANGING LANES AND BACKING. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY OVERSIZED HEADRESTS ON THE MIDDLE SEATS WHICH ARE CAPTAINS CHAIRS. THE HEADRESTS ARE 9" IN HEIGHT AND AS WIDE AS THE SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS FURTHER EXACERBATED BY THE BLACKENED TINTED WINDOWS. WHEN DRIVING YOU MUST CONTINUOUSLY RELY ON YOUR SIDE VIEW MORRORS AS THER IS NO VISION TO THE RIGHT REAR. I FREQUENTLY DRIVE WITH THE RIGHT MIDDLE SEAT FOLDED UP SO AS TO HAVE VISION BUT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH A PASSENGER. THE HEADRESTS ALSO OBSTRUCT APPROX. 20% OF YOUR RREAR VISION WHEN BACKING AS WELL AS WHEN DRIVING. THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEADREST ALSO OBSTRUCTS VISION WHEN BACKING AS THERE IS NO LEFT FIELD OF VISION CAUSED BY THE HEADRESTS. THE PROBLEM CAN BE REDUCED WITH SMALLER HEADRESTS OR REPLACING THE CAPTAINS CHAIRS WITH A BENCH SEAT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS WHEN CHANGING LANES AND BACKING THE VEHICLE. YOU SIMPLY CAN'T SEE. THIS IS PROBABLY A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH GM MINI VANS WITH CAPT CHAIRS MIDDLE SEATING. IN ADDITION THE TINTED WINDOWS ARE TOO DARK AND COULD BE A LIGHTER SHADE FOR NIGHTIME DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #760063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
DRIVERS SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WHEN TWO WIRES HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT. FIRE WAS ONLY UNDER THE SEAT, IT DID NOT SPREAD ANY WHERE ELSE.
NHTSA complaint #895590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.