1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Defect. DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

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 APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Risk. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.

Risk. WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER THE RECALL (01V264000, 04V597000 OR 01V067000) REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, BUT NO LONGER WORKED. THE DOOR ONLY OPERATED PROPERLY ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPDATED 09/13/06*JB

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN OUR 1997 SILHOUETTE WENT BAD. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR FACILITY AND PERFORMING SEVERAL SEARCHES ACROSS THE INTERNET, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT GM HAD A DEFECTIVE PART. THE ORIGINAL GASKETS WERE MADE OUT OF PLASTICS, WHILE NOW GM IS CONSTRUCTING THEM OF A MORE NORMAL / ACCEPTABLE MATERIAL. WE WERE LUCKY AND CAUGHT THIS EARLY, BUT IF SOMEONE WERE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY TRIP, OIL COULD LEAK OUT OR MIX WITH COOLANT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS REPAIR AVERAGES AROUND $800 TO $1200 FROM WHAT I COULD FIND. *JB

NO FLOOR HEAT IN 1997 OLDS SILHOUETTE. MECHANIC DID NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM BUT DID NOTE THAT AN UN ASSOCIATED PROBLEM WAS OCCURING. THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS FAILING. AFTER INVESTIGATING AND RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THAT BOTH THE LACK OF HEAT IN THE FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE AND WORSE YET THE FAILING OF THE GASKET ARE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE BOTH PROBLEMS TAKEN CARE OF ON 12/28/2005. THE ESTIMATE (NO TELLSING THE COST TO REPAIR THE HEAT UNTIL THEY GET INTO IT) WILL RUN AT LEAST $700. BASED ON THE PAST INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIRS THIS SHOP HAS DONE ON GM VEHICLES THE SHOP ESTIMATES THIS REPAI ALONE WILL COST AT LEAST $500. *NM

FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 12 MONTHS. BREAK INITIATED IN UPPER DRIVER SIDE CORNER AND TRAVELS INTO FIELD OF VISION. WITH WINDSHIELD OUT, YOU CAN SEE SEVERE RUSTING AT THE CORNER, NO WHERE ELSE. THE RUST IS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ROOF PANEL AND IS NOT VISIBLE ONCE THE WINDSHIELD IS REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO GO THROUGH ANY CAR WASHES, TO AVOID ANY UNDO PRESSUES ON THE DRIVERSIDE QUARTER OF THE ROOF AND WHEN IT BREAKS AGAIN TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED IN A BODY SHOP WHERE THAT SECTION OF THE ROOF CAN BE REPLACED SO IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THE WINDSHIELD REPAIR PERSON STATED THAT WHEN HE REPLACES A FRONT WINDSHIELD ON AN OLDS SILHOUETTE OR CHEVY VENTURE THAT IS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, 99% OF THE TIME THE BREAK INITIATES AT ONE OF THE TOP CORNERS AND WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS OUT, THERE IS SEVERE RUSTING IN THE SAME SPOTS. GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST THROUGH, I EXPECT IT WILL LEAK INTO THE INTERIOR SOON.

ROOF LEAKS, DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK LEAKAGE, WATER HAS INFILTRATED THE FUSE PANEL REPEATEDLY, SHORTING THE HORN, CAUSING IT TO HONK AT RANDOM FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. *AK

RECALL #01 V 264 000/SLIDING DOOR:INTERMITTENTLY THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS ON THIS DOOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEAR AGO, NOW THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING. *NM

THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS RATTLED AND REOPENED ONCE THE WERE SHUT. WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR IT LOCKS ON ITS OWN. ONCE THE VEHICLE LOCKS ON ITS OWN CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT. CONSUMER TRIES TO OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL, BUT WITH NO LUCK. CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT UNTIL IT UNLOCKS TO EXIT.*AK

DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP LENS FELL OFF. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS LENS FELL OFF WITHOUT WARRING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *LA

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. *AK 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 INTERMITTENT, THE LEFT DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, THE STEERING PUMP WENT DRY WHILE DRIVING AND THE PUMP WENT DRY 5 ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER 1005K MILES, THE DOORS LOCKED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR(S) OR WINDOW, THE POWER WINDOWS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER MIRROR WOULD SHAKE, THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE HEAD LAMP, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO DIM AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW RATTLED, THE WIRING CHAFFED ON THE STUD UNDER THE CARPET IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE ELECTRICAL REMOTE DID NOT WORK UNTIL THE C

THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED IT, AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE DOOR WOULD POP BACK OPEN. *AK THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED TWICE 01V264000 AND 01V067000). *NM

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON GM PROBLEM WITH THIS V-6 ENGINE. GM DENIED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

TRANSMISSION FAILED DEC. 2000. REPLACED BY DEALER. FAILED AGAIN 1,000 MILES LATER. REPAIRED BY DEALER. 8000 MILES LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON-DEALER SAID WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WOULD NOT REPAIR -OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM, WHICH STARTED ON WARRANTY. CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE TO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH LOCAL FACTORY REP. TOLD THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE NUMBER AND THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ON MY OWN.

THE ISSUE WE RAN INTO LAST YEAR IS WHERE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. WE TOOK IT INTO OUR LOCAL DEALER, PEARSON PONTIAC, GMS, OLDS IN SUNNYVALE, ON MARCH 21 2002. AROUND THAT TIME BOTH MYSELF AND THE DEALER, AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, CALLED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VAN WAS AT 41788 MILES, 5K MILES OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY, AND THE BELIEF ON MY PART THAT A MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR WAS NOT REASONABLE FOR A VAN WITH ONLY 41K MILES. WHY SAY THE COOLANT CAN LAST 150K MILES WHEN IT ALL LEAKS OUT AT 41K MILES? I WAS TURNED DOWN FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE I TALKED WITH JUSTIN AND THE CASE NUMBER WAS C06614725. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AT THE SAME TIME HE DETERMINED THE LIFTERS SHOULD BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A LEAKING WATER PUMP. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1,709.72. BREAKDOWN WAS $1,130.84 FOR LABOR AND THE REST FOR PARTS AND SALES TAX. THE DEALER REPAIR ORDER NUMBER IS 56819. I'VE NEVER OWNED OR HEARD OF A VEHICLE WHICH HAD A INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT LEAK, WATER PUMP AND LIFTERS FAIL AT 41K MILES. MY WIFE AND I ARE NOT HARD ON OUR CARS. THIS COST WAS HIGH (OVER 5% OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE) AND SOMETHING WE DID NOT EXPECT TO INCUR.

RIGHT DOOR WINDOW INOPERATIVE-WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. LEFT DOOR WINDOW INOPERATIVE-WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. (DECEMBER 2002) WINDOW WIPER ARM RUBBED HOLE IN BRAKE LINE, CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.

THE COVER FOR THE HEADLIGHT JUST FELL OFF OF THE CAR. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MOISTURE GOT INTO THE HEADLIGHT AND CAUSED THE GLUE TO FAIL. WE HAD TAKEN IT IN TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL# 01V067000 SUBJECT: POWER SLIDING DOOR. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

10/27/01 - HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR DO TO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE INTERNALLY AT 62139 MILES. 08/27/03 - AGAIN VAN IS AT THE GARAGE WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEMS THE MILEAGE IS NOW 102000.

FRONT HEAD LIGHT LENS AND PARK LIGHTS HAD WATER IN THEM. SIDE PARK LIGHTS WERE LOOSE AND LEFT HEAD LIGHT COVER FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. *JB PH

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. *JB

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. *NLM

VEHICLE'S PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSE IN COLD WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH *TS

BRAKE LIGHTS BURN OUT WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF REPLACMENT. BULB AND FILIMINT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION - PLASTIC BASE OF BULB IS MELTED AND IMPAIRS PROPER CONTACT WITH LIGHT BULB.

CONSUMER STATES STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON VEHICLE RECALL #01V264000 SLIDING DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE THE DEALER NAME, ADDRESS AND NUMBER. TS

DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN DRIVING. NO POWER TO OPEN DOOR. ALSO, LEFT FRONT WHEEL CENSOR MALFUNCTIONED FOR ABS TRACTION CONTROL/ TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WITH NO WARNING THE REAR SLIDING DOOR WILL SLIDE OFF THE TRACK AND IT WILL BE HARD TO OPEN FOR THE CONSUMER TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER RECALL 01V264000 REPAIRS WERE DONE FOR SLIDING DOOR, DOOR STILL WILL NOT STAY CLOSED.*AK THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED, AND WAS WORSE THAN BEFORE. THE DOOR OPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK. NOW IT DOESN'T OPEN WITH THE REMOTE. CONSUMER STATES THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC SINCE PURCHASE. THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS.THE WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND TAKEN OUT AND RESEALED TWICE. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN RELINED TWICE. *JG

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT VERY SLOW SPEED POWER STEERING WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE LEFT TURN WAS NOT POSSIBLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

AT 60 MPH AND TOWING A TRAILER CONSUMER STOPPED TO INSPECT TRAILER, AND NOTICED THAT TRAILER HITCH BROKE. DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS DUE TO SUPPORTS ON VEHICLE. DEALER INSTALLED HITCH.*AK

WHILE EXITING OFF HIGHWAY STEERING WOULD NOT TURN LEFT. *AK WHILE DRIVING WITH OUT PRIOR WARNING, THE STEERING BROKE WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS ATTACHED TO THE RACK AND PINION. *YH

SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED AND OPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAYS IT'S BECAUSE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ON GRAVEL ROADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ALL 5 LUG NUTS BROKE OFF ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, AND VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AS IT FELL TO THE GROUND.*AK *YD

THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS SUPPOSED TO BE A "SEALED" UNIT SO AS TO PROTECT THE HEADLIGHT BULB. ON MY OLDS VAN BOTH THE LEFT & THE RIGHT PROTECTIVE COVERS FELL OFF IN ABOUT 40 HRS OF EACH OTHER. AT FIRST I DIDN'T THINK OF IT AS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND JUST WENT AHEAD AND TRIED TO ORDER JUST THE HEADLIGHT COVERS. IN CALLING AROUND TO SEVERAL AUTO PARTS STORES I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VEY COMMON DEFECT IN THE GM MINI-VANS. IN FACT THE PARTS PERSON THAT I CALLED AT CARL THOMPSON CHEVROLET IN FORT GRATIOT ,MI, TOLD ME THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIS "98 VENTURE VAN. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I COULD NOT JUST ORDER THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR MY HEADLIGHTS, I MUST ORFER THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT $91.00 EACH PLUS TX AND INSTALLATION. I DOUBT I COULD INSTALL THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY SO, I'M LOOKING AT $100 OR $150 OR MORE TO INSTALL THEM FOR A TOTAL OF AT LEAST $300 TO $400. I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER AT OLDSMOBILE AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY CALLED ME BACK IN 15 MIN OR SO AND TOLD ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME, AND THAT IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE $91. EA FOR THE HEADLIGHTS THAT PERHAPS I SHOULD LOOK IN JUNK YARDS FOR HEADLIGHTS. WELL, THEY ARE MISSING THE PICTURE HERE, AS I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WEERE TRAVELING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ON A HIGHWAY LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THE "SEALED COVERS" FELL OFF LEAVING MY BULBS EXPOSED TO ALL THE ROAD HAZARDS. HAD I LOST MY LIGHTS AT A HIGH SPEED THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PERHAPS IN

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH GLASS IN THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED, CAUSING GLASS TO FLY INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CLAIMS VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

I DISCOVERED THAT A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT CANNOT BE SAFELY OR SECURELY INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, MIDDLE BENCH OF MY MINIVAN USING THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT BECAUSE WHEN TIGHTENING THE BELT TO SECURE THE SEAT, THE BELT BUCKLE PUSHES UP ON THE SEAT RECLINING LEVER, WHICH IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE BUCKLE, AND RECLINES THE SEAT. I READ AND REREAD MY MANUAL AND IN NO PLACE DOES IT CONTRAINDICATE THAT POSITION FOR THE SAFETY SEAT . THE DEALER COULD NOT EVEN INSTALL THE SEAT PROPERLY FOR ME AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AGREED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN, POSSIBLE EVEN FOR A PASSENGER JUST USING THE SHOULDER BELT SINCE ANY FORCE PUSHES UP ON THE BUCKLE WHICH HITS THE RECLINE LEVER AND RECLINES THE SEAT. GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE RECOMMENDS GETTING THE DEALER TO INSTALL A TOP STRAP AND TETHER (THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DID NOT SUGGEST THIS) TO SECURE THE SEAT AT MY EXPENSE. (I UNDERSTAND THAT 2001 MODELS HAVE A LATCH OPTION NOW FOR ANCHORING SEATS WITHOUT THE USE OF SEAT BELTS. NONE OF THIS , HOWEVER, ADDRESSES THE POOR AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN OF HAVING THE SEAT RECLINE LATCH DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. I TRULY FEAR ANY SUDDEN STOP WHICH PUTS PRESSURE ON THE SEAT BUCKLE WILL , IN TURN, LIFT UP THAT LEVER, RECLINE THE SEAT AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER WHO WAS PROPERLY BUCKLED. MEANWHILE, UNTIL I FIND OUT IF THE DEALER CAN INSTALL A TOP STRAP AND A TETHER BETWEEN THE SEAT FOLD TO SECURE THE SEAT WITHOUT USING THE SHOULDER BELT AND BUCKLE, I HAVE NO PEACE OF MIND TR

VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD IT. SOME WARRANTY LEFT. TRANSMISSION TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER CHANGED FLUID, SAID METAL SHAVINGS IN TRANSMISSION PAN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND WAS TOLD AT PURCHASE TIME THAT FIRST OWNER HAD ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT DEALER.

INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW, BECAUSE LENS HAD COME OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING, HEADLIGHT COVERS THAT HELD LIGHT IN PLASTIC LENSES CAME OFF, AND HEADLIGHTS BLEWOUT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE CAR DID NOT CATCH FIRE BUT THE DASH STARTED SMOKING. THE DASH WAS MELTED IN A COUPLE OF PLACES. A FRIEND OF OURS HAD THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VAN THAT STARTED FIRE IN THEIR GARAGE AND BURNT DOWN THE GARAGE. THE PERSON WHO WORKED ON THIS SAID IT WAS GETTING VERY HOT AND IF IT STARTED SMOKING AGAIN TO GET OUT BECAUSE IT WOULD PROBALBY CATCH FIRE.*AK

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE MAKING A LEFT DUE TO RACK AND PINION FAILURE. *YH

PLEASE CONTACT ME AT MY WORK # 708-233-7305 AND I WILL HAVE THE VIN# AND DOT # AVAILABLE. THE TREAD ON MY FIRESTONE TIRE SEPARATED AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VAN. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR A MEDIAN (I WAS ON A MAJOR EXPRESSWAY AT THE TIME) I HAVE TRIED TO FILE A CLAIM THROUGH FIRESTONE AND THEY ARE MAKING AN EXCUSE THAT A NAIL HOLE WILL CAUSE A TIRE TO LOOSE THE TREAD AS MINE DID. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU!!*AK

THE RIGHT SIDE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVER CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER IT BREAKING IT. WHEN I CHECKED THE OTHER LENS COVER IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF AS WELL, I WAS ABLE TO REGLUE IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE CHEVY VENTURE, AND THE PONTIAC MONTANA. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE WARRENTY ON THIS PART WAS EXTENDED BUT ONLY TO 50,000 MILES. THIS PART HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH A FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LAMP BURNS OUT ONCE THE COVER COMES OFF. I CALLED OLDMOBILE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH PROBLEM WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS AND THAT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MUST HAVE BEEN PUT ON. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT IT WAS NOT THE CASE BUT HE INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS PART. THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE COVER ON BECOMES BRITTLE AND JUST CRUMBLES OFF.*AK

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT SNAPPED WITHOUT CAUSE. OLDSMOBILE REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THE PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN WITH AT OLDSMOBILE JUST FED THE COMPANY LINE OF "THE WARRANTY IS FOR 3 YEARS OR 30,000 MILES..." WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER, THEY REFUSED TO PUT ME THROUGH, STATING THAT I WOULD GET THE SAME ANSWER. THE DEALERSHIP IN OUR AREA WHICH WILL BE FIXING THE BELT IS CHARGING US ALMOST 200.00 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NEVER, EVER BREAK, AND IT DID. OLDSMOBILE SEES NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS AND REFUSES TO REPLACE THE BELT FREE OF CHARGE. I AM NOW CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE. WHAT OTHER DEFECTIVE SAFETY ITEMS ARE YET TO REAR THEIR UGLY HEAD? WHEN WILL I DISCOVER THEM? WHEN I NEED THEM MOST? A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT COULD HAVE BEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH SHOULD MY WIFE HAD GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT. OLDSMOBILE DOES NOT CARE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER OLDSMOBILE, NOR WILL I EVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THIS EXPERIENCE. WHEN I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM OLDSMOBILE (THE ONE WHO REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH HER SUPERVISOR) THAT I WAS SPEAKING WITH AN ATTORNEY TO SEE IF HE COULD FORCE THE ISSUE AND GET OLDSMOBILE TO TAKE SOEM RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUILDING A VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE SAFETY FEATURES, THE WOMAN SAID SHE COULD NO LONGER TALK TO ME AND HUNG UP. I HOPE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THE NTSA CAN DO TO HOLD OLDSMOBILE ACCOUNTABLE IN THIS, AND ANY FUTURE DEFECTIVE SAFE

MY APPROX 75LB DOG WAS BELTED TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED TO PREVENT HIM FROM ACCESSING THE CONTENTS OF THE REAR COMPARTMENT. BECAUSE HIS USUAL COLLAR-TO-SEATBELT LEASH WAS IN ANOTHER VEHICLE, I ACCOMPLISHED THIS VIA A THIN (LADIES') SILK SCARF IN A SIMPLE KNOT AROUND HIS COLLAR. WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME ALONG A FEW MINUTES LATER, HE OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR FOR THE DOG, NOT REALIZING THE DOG WAS RESTRAINED. THE DOG JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR: THE SEATBELT, NOT THE SILK SCARF, TORE! THE SEALTBELT TORE LITERALLY IN HALF. THE TEAR IS NOT AT A SEAM OR AT THE CLIP, BUT RATHER IN THE WEBBING ITSELF. WHAT IF THIS HAD BEEN A HIGH SPEED COLLISION? MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BOTH PHYSICIANS - MY HUSBAND AN ER DOC - AND NEITHER OF US HAS HEARD OF SUCH A THING. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WANTS APPROX $200 FOR THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION TO SAFETY CONCERNS FOR OTHER VEHICLES, I AM REPRTING THIS BECAUSE I THINK CHARGING FOR A SAFETY-RELATED EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS UNREASONABLE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME! PAT WELLS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR SLIDING DOOR. WHEN DOOR WAS SECURED IT OPENED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (01V-067) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON A RESONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. *YH

RIGHT HEADLIGHT LENS FELL OFF. HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT IMMEDIATELY. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAD MOISTURE INSIDE EVER SINCE DATE OF DELIVERY IN 1997. NEW REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT DOES NOT HAVE MOISTURE.*AK

RIGHT HEADLIGHT COVER FELL OFF, LIGHT BLEW WHEN IT RAINED. ON APRIL12, 2001 LEFT HEADLIGHT COVER FELL OFF. *AK *SLC

BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CLEAR PLASTIC COVERS FELL OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING WITHIN 1 WEEK CAUSING HALOGEN HEADLIGHT BULB TO FAIL. GLUE USED TO ATTACH CLEAR HEADLIGHT COVER TO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. GLUE APPEARED TO BE BRITTLE AND COULD BE CHIPPED OFF ASSEMBLE AND COVER WITH A FINGER NAIL. REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLE COST $237 EACH FROM MANUFACTURER. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS WITHIN ONE WEEK, I.E., HEADLIGHT COVERS FELL OFF DURING DRIVING CAUSING HALOGEN BULB FAILURE.*AK