Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette that recently suffered engine damage caused from a faulty intake manifold gasket. My van only had 48,000 miles on it at the time and I was hoping to keep it for well over 100,000 miles. I purchased it new. This faulty intake manifold gasket problem is not an isolated case but is a very common problem and often occurs around 35-45,000 miles on GM 3.1l, 3.4l and 3.8l v6 engines. GM issued a service bulletin to their dealers warning them of this problem but never warned the car owners. Bulletin #03-06-01-010. A warning would have prevented my problem as I was still under warranty when the bulletin was issued. GM has refused to offer any assistance toward the cost of this repair which often costs between $650 to $2000 depending on severity of the damage to the engine. Many GM owners have had to replace the engines even after the gasket was replaced. …
I own a 2000 Oldsmobile silohette van that has 40,000 miles. It was leaking coolant fluid and I brought it into my local service center. The technician advised me that the intake manifold gasket is leaking. Cost to repair $700+. After researching on the internet, I discovered that there are numerous (over 2500) complaints regarding this component in GM vehicles. As of April 10, 2002, there is a nationwide backorder of the intake manifold gasket. I am demanding accountability from general motors. A nationwide backorder should be reason enough for GM to assemble a recall. I can only hope that the manufacturer who has been the world's automotive sales leader since 1931 will stand up and claim responsibility for a problem that is so prevalent among their vehicles. Recalls should be mandated in all cases of incompetence, not solely when it affects public safety. …
I was no the freeway and there is a lot of construction so there is no where to pull over the car got really hot. I was trying to get off the freeway as I was going on the off ramp the car temp all the sudden went red then engine had stopped. I had my girls in the car. They where very scared. Come to find out the head gasket went out for the second time. It went out just after I bought the car it was at 41000 mile now at 120000 it goes out again it is now going to cost me another $1700 to fix it. I have read a lot of complaints about this problem why have you not look in to this problem. Is it a safety problem these car heat up insteadly an the engine has a fail safe that shuts it off. If it would have shut off a few moments earlier I would have still been on the freeway and I would have been hit.
Was told that my intake manifold gasket was starting to rust and would need to be replaced eventually. Service dept. Mgr at midway Chevy in plainwell, mi told me he would keep an eye on it at every oil change (this went on for at least 3 months). March 7th my coolant level low light came on. Husband checked the level and the reservoir was empty and all gummy in bottom. Said it needed to be flushed and refilled. Took to non-GM dealer since it was after hours and knew the owner would take care of in morning. He called and said the manifold had to be replaced as the coolant had leaked internally and externally. The repair cost was $607.00.
2000 Silhouette van - [redacted] - leaked dexcool from a faulty lower intake gasket and shorted out plugs. Repair cost approximately 700 usd. Upon research and advice from our auto mechanic, this is a very common issue with these vehicles however GM refuses to issue a recall. The gaskets are plastic and will fail from 30,000 - 70,000 miles. Our vehicle had 53088 miles at the time. It is difficult to consider buying "American" when the product and support from the American company is so poor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The contact stated that the vehicle was severely over heating making it impossible to drive. A private mechanic replaced the water pump and thermostat in March 2011 however, the vehicle continued to overheat. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing but the vehicle was not inspected. The current mileage was 112,000 and the failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving vehicle, it didn't have any speed. While sitting in vehicle, vehicle exploded with flames coming from driver's side. Also, consumer stated muffler burnt hole in gas tank. Contacted dealer and dealer bought vehicle back. Consumer stated service engine light would also illuminate when the vehicle would lose power, mechanics found a hole in the muffler had burned a hole in the plastic gas tank.
At 63000 miles my 3.4 l engine began leaking coolant at the intake manifold. My mechanic and two others told me that this is typical of 3.1 and 3.4 l GM engines and that the company realizes that it has a design flaw because the replacement gasket has been re-engineered and the replacement bolts. The repair was done at a non GM repair shop and cost me $796.22
My 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette, with 48K miles on it, has had a slow coolant leak for the past few weeks. Upon taking it to the repair shop the mechanic informed me that the rear 'head gasket' has a leak. He stated that this has been a common problem with GM vehicles using dexcool coolant. I plan to contact the manufacturer.
Sludge in radiator and coolant expansion tank on my 2000 Oldsmobile silhouet the owners manual states that it should be replaced every 5 years or 150,000 miles but now I'm faced with repairs that I don't know how much they are going to cost me. I just made the discovery today while checking fluid levels.
Engine complaints in other Silhouette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 25% of the model year's 114 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.