1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Routine

Owners filed 46 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › body › door. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure › Body › Door8
000
Seats3
000
Air Bags3
102
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls2
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines96V015000
Filed Jan 23, 1996585,182 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.

Risk. VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages95V048000
Filed Mar 20, 19956,523 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE PEDAL ARM CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM TO FRACTURE DURING BRAKING.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE OPERATION INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL SUSPECT BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLIES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jun 7, 200558,000 milesDE

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 *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 26, 2005126,000 milesTX

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. THIS CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A RIGHT UPPER CONTUSION AND A SPRAINED NECK. THE DRIVER ALSO SUFFERED BACK PAINS AND HEARING PROBLEMS. *AK *NM *TT THE HORN WAS ALSO STUCK, WHEN THE AIR BAG(S) DEPLOYED. THIS WAS A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WHOM INSTALLED THE AIR BAG(S), INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SYSTEM. *SC *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004WI

ONE NIGHT THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF. WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED ON IT WILL STAY ON THE SELECTED STATION FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT WILL START SKIPPING THROUGH ALL THE STATIONS. SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. ONE NIGHT AFTER PUTTING THE WINDOWS UP I WAS IN THE HOUSE AND SAW THE DRIVER WINDOW ROLL DOWN BY ITSELF.

Power TrainCrash
Filed Jan 15, 200467,000 milesWA

TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES, FIRST TIME MAY 1998, FAILED NOV 1998, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, FAILED AGAIN MAY 2003, OUT OF WARRANTY AT 117,000 MILES

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 7, 200391,000 milesFL

1995 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUTTE... WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING ABOUT 45-55 MPH VAN LOST POWER AND CONTROL OF STEERING ETC HAD TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROADHAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6-10 TIMES SINCE THEN HAVE HAD CHECKED NO KNOWN CAUSE. VAN SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY LIGHT SAYS IT'S OPENED. HAS OPENED ON IT'S OWN. WHILE ON INCLINE AND BACKING UP BRAKES MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. STEERING COLUME CLICKS WHEN TURNING TO BACK UP WHEN FIRST STARTED. PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. INSIDE HANDLES ARE DETACHING FROM THE DOOR ON BOTH SIDES. THE PIN THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN IS ALWAYS COMING OUT. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THESES PROBLEMS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND AM NOT SURE IF ONE EXIST.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 24, 2003120,000 milesMI

INTERMITTENT LOS OF DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND OTHER SPEEDS OR FROM FOURTH GEAR. THIS HAPPENS ON A CONTINUAL BASIS AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, HOWEVER, NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 17, 2003128,000 milesKY

CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATES VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 15, 2003LA

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. *NLM

Seats
Filed Apr 18, 2003MI

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2003OH

WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE ENGINE STARTED TO HESITATE. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 6, 200380,500 milesOH

THE STEERING LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING HAD SHATTERED. *JB THERE WAS LITTLE WARNING, AND A SLIGHT CATCH WHEN TURNED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE RACK/PINION AND THE CLOCKSPRING WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. SCC

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 8, 2003FL

THIS VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLS AND KICKS OUT OR IT WON'T START AT ALL. WHEN IT DOES START, THE VEHICLE CHUGS AND SHUTS OFF, ALSO THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED.*JB *JG

Tires
Filed Jan 8, 2003FL

WHILE IN MOTION, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. THERE WAS A RUBBER COATED WIRE THAT BLEW IN THE FRONT TIRE. *JG*JB

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 24, 2002FL

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND WITHIN SECONDS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. GM REFUSES TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT CORNIE AND EARDRUM. *JG

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit BreakersFire
Filed Aug 20, 2002NV

THIS FIRE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF A FACTORY INSTALLED PART THE ONLY SERVICE DONE TO THE VEHICLE WAS BY FINDLEY OLDS TECHS AND WE HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK TO PROVE THAT FINDLEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUSES BLOWING AND WERE TOLD IT WOULD NOT START A FIRE AND NOT BE CONCERNED JUST PUT A NEW FUSE IN WHEN ONE BLOWS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THE TECK MNGR SAID THIS VAN SHOULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER 10 YEARS LIFE ...WHY CANT OLDS AND FINDLEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT A FIRE UNDER THE DASH COULD ONLY HAPPEN IF SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED I WAS LUCK I WASNT KILLED ...I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE EVERYONE SEEMS TO JUST WANT TO PRETEND THIS DIDNT HAPPEN WHY WONT SOMEONE TAKE ME SERIOUS AND FIX THIS VEHICLE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THE TOP OF THE LINE OLDS MINIVAN I JUST READ RECENTLY THAT OTHER OLDS VANS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AS WELL IS THIS A PATTERN ......PLEASE HELP ME !!!!.....IM NOT A C OMPLAINER BUT I HAVE A $23,000.00 SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT THEY WONT STAND BEHIND ...YOU MAY INSPECT IT ALL YOU WANT PLEASE DO ITS HERE AND WAITING THANKS FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO FOR ME ... I FEEL RIPPED OFF!!!.!!! I ALWAYS THOUGHT OLDS STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS I GUESS THEY REALLY DONT...IM VERY SORRY FOR THEM!!!!! .AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Feb 25, 2002NV

I AM WRITING AFTER THE REPORT OF THE OTHER GM VEHICLE FIRES YOU REPORTED RECENTLY...THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO BURNED BEHIND THE STERING COLUMM/DASH WHILE IN OPERATION...AFTER CONTACTING OLDS I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY R NOT RESPONSIBLE...THEY HAVE BEEN THE ONLY SERVICE PERSONEL TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL BUT SEEING OTHER OF THEIR VEHICLES TOO HAVE HAD FIRES I NOW BELIEVE MY BRAND IS ALSO AT RISK TOO THE FIRE BURNED SO EXTENSIVLY THAT THE DASH IS CHARRED....FEEL FREE TO COME AND SEE IT AS IT HAS BEEN SITTING IDLE SINCE THE FIRE..I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED OLDS AND THEY REFUSE TO ACT OR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I EVEN HAVE A PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME I FEEL I HAVE A MANUFACTURES DEFECTED VERHICLE AND CANNOT GET HELP THRU OLDS AFTER MY SEEING THE REPORT OF THE OTHER VEHICLES OF THEIRS THAT HAVE HAD FIRES...... I WANT TO ADD TO THE LIST THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION!!*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 6, 2002GA

DRIVER'S REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY FOR BOOSTER SEAT, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Seats
Filed Feb 6, 2002GA

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

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Sep 20, 2001MD

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBELT RETRACTORS WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY ANYMORE, HAD STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE IN LAST 2 YEARS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 5, 2001GA

TRANSMISSION FAILED, IT LOCKED UP. *AK

20 of 46 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200411300Routine
200336506Fatalities reported
200257500Routine
200178931Fatalities reported
2000114820Routine
1999149740Routine
19981701000Routine
1997104900Routine
199620200Routine
1995 — this page46220Routine
199436440Routine
199322340Routine
199227200Routine
199137323Fatalities reported
199043510Routine

Compare every Silhouette year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 23, 1996. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.