Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 11 | −84% | 1 | Wheel & Tire | Good |
| 2003 | 36 | −53% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2002 | 57 | −24% | 2 | Suspension | Average |
| 2001 | 78 | 1.3× | 6 | Wheel & Tire | Average |
| 2000 | 114 | 2.1× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1999 | 149 | 2.6× | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1998 | 170 | 3.0× | 7 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1997 | 104 | 2.0× | 6 | Steering | Caution |
| 1996 | 20 | −71% | 1 | Engine | Good |
| 1995 | 46 | −34% | 2 | Body | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Silhouette year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Oldsmobile Silhouette problems
Latest Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for…
Air bags › Frontal
On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and Mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Vehicle description: certain Mini vans built with second row 50/50 split bench seats or captain's chairs, fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 mm.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the latch anchor wires and repair those with an improper diameter. Owner notification began April 10, 2002.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Oldsmobile Silhouette should you avoid?
1998, 1999, 2000 and 1997 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Silhouette years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1998.
What is the best year for the Oldsmobile Silhouette?
2004 has the fewest complaints compared with other Silhouette years at the same age, followed by 1996 and 2003. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (163), body & structure (94) and lights (84). Engine complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Oldsmobile Silhouette had?
15 recalls across 1995–2004. The model year with the most is 1998. See all Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.