Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When turning the vehicle off, the horn continuously sounded and all the doors automatically locked. The doors could not be manually opened. The consumer had to turn the vehicle on and wait for a period of five to ten minutes and then turn the vehicle off to get out of the vehicle. Also, power steering fluid had to be added every 10,000 miles and the vehicle overheated due to faulty gaskets. The engine had been replaced twice. When the doors locked, the windows would not open, the dash lights and overhead lights would go out while the vehicle was in motion, the power locks would chatter while the vehicle was in motion, the lights went out in the dash, the driver doors would unlock while the vehicle was in motion, all the doors would lock when the vehicle was stopped and could not be opened manually or open the windows, all of the doors would unlock when the vehicle was in motion and was …
Driving at approx. 25 MPH on wet roads with rain. Started to slow to turn right onto side street when power steering failed. Driver had to use extreme effort to manually turn steering wheel to avoid hitting curb and tree. Driver was able to correct car direction with extreme effort while stopping car. Once the car was stopped, there was a squealing noise ,indicating belts were slipping and there was an additional clicking/tapping sound. GM case number is 990028165. Problem 2: automatic door on passenger's side disengaged when placing shift lever from park. Dealer cleaned contacts and stated problem was solved. Explanation does not seem reasonable in that the door closed properly until the shift lever was placed out of park. Safety features should prevent the door from openning unless shift lever is in park.
Serious safety issue - power assist steering momentarily inoperable on 1/13, 3/12, 4/12, 4/14, 5/11, 5/12 (twice) and 5/13. Occurs when driving through water puddles. Dealer attempted to fix with after market belt. Problem is worse now because length of outage is more brief and just when driver added pressure to steer without power assist it started to work causing overcorrection. Vehicle is currently at dealer for scrutiny. On 4/21, automatic sliding door popped open when car gear shift was moved out of park position. This is not supposed to happen. Dealer cleaned contacts and days later the unit broke. Dealer has completed most of repair. Injury to passenger next to door could occur if door were to open while driving.
Steering becomes inoperable momentarily in wet driving conditions at slow speed. Occasionally, when turning while driving in wet conditions a squeal sound such as belts slipping can be heard. Steering becomes difficult when turning from a complete stop. Dealer was advised on two occasions. According to the dealer steering is working and belts are properly adjusted. The most recent incident happened in wet weather while pulling into a street from a driveway. Fortunately no traffic was coming and the driver was able to put the transmission in reverse and return to the driveway. Immediately after the incident, steering appeared to work.
The vehicle was taken to the shop for recall repairs to the rack and pinion bearing and the power steering. This recall required that the air bags,horn and cruise control be reset. The dealer refused to do this because it was not part of the recall.
The consumer received a recall letter regarding the rack and pinion, an appointment was made, however the day before the appointment, consumer received a call from the dealer who stated they had no tools to correct the problem.
Upon using the passenger's sliding door and locking the door and consumer putting vehicle into drive, the door will pop open. Also, when driving through some water vehicle will lose power steering.
While exiting off highway steering would not turn left. While driving with out prior warning, the steering broke where the steering column was attached to the rack and pinion.
While driving and without warning rack and pinion failed, causing the power steering assist to lock up. Owner had to turn vehicle off in order to rotate steering wheel.
Power steering rack failed without warning while driving, consumer wants to be compensated for repair and rental car, whine noise is coming from the power steering pump. Nlm
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from GM alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.GM has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly May fail.GM will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
Steering complaints in other Silhouette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 19% of the model year's 104 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-286 (rack and pinion, Nov 4, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
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.