Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 104

1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Drum
Filed Mar 13, 2001TN

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID FLUID IS GETTING ON DRUMS. *AK CONSUMER STATES BOTH REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED.*JB

Fuel System, Other
Filed Mar 12, 2001IL

GAS GUAGE REGISTERS OVER FULL ALL TIMES. HAS TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE COMPLAINT OF FUEL GUAGE MALFUNCTION . REMOTE KEY MALFUNCTIONS. THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE. *YH

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 12, 2001IA

FRONT RIGHT LENS COVER HAS FALLEN OFF, AND LIGHT GOES OFF. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL CASES OF FAILURES AND RECALL WAS NECESSARY. *YH

Tires
Filed Sep 25, 2000IN

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 65 N NEAR SEYMOUR INDIANA OUR TIRE DISSENTIGRATED. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND 2 SIDES ON THE TIRE WITH THE MIDDLE TREAD MISSING. WE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITHIN 1 DAY BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. THE RIM WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WITH 2 ADULTS AND 5 CHILDREN IN THE VAN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR TRAGEDY. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE DAMAGED TIRE THAT I CAN EMAIL IF NECESSARY. I WOULD LIKE TO BE RE-IMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE OF THE NEW TIRES. THANKS!*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 20, 2000TX

COMPLETE SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION OF TIRE AT 73 MPH, TEMP ~94 F, TREAD WRAPPED AROUND RIGHT REAR AXLE. TOOK TIRE PARTS TO OLDS DEALER AND TIRE DEALER - THEY CALLED IT A "BLOWOUT" BUT IN LIGHT OF RECENT FIRESTONE PROBLEMS I THINK THIS MAY BE VERY SIMILAR. NO ROAD DEBRIS WAS EVIDENT AS A CAUSE FOR TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. PERHAPS OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS MAKE/BRAND OF TIRE?*AK( DOT NUMBER: E4 029015 TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

Seats
Filed Aug 17, 2000CA

SEAT TRACK ANCHORS HAVE CRACKED, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE OCCASIONALLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE'S WAS WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST WENT TO CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Jul 17, 2000WI

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

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 28, 2000MD

WATER LEAKS INTO BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE INSIDE OF THE LENSE TO FOG UP WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIGHTS. THE WATER EVENTUALLY SHATTERS THE REPLACEABLE BULB. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE HEADLIGHTS. I REMOVED ABOUT 1/4 CUP OF WATER FROM ONE OF THE LIGHTS AT ONE POINT. THIS HAS EXISTED FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. OLDSMOBILE WILL NOT REPLACE THE UNITS. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 9, 2000WI

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, TRAVELING 45MPH, HAD WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEN TURNED TO NORMAL, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE WATER. THEN TURNED TO HIGH SPEED. DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM AT OWNER'S COST. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, OWNER SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *AK *ML

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 28, 2000PA

THE SLIDING DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 4, 2000IN

CONSUMER NOTICED MOIST/WATER GETTING INTO THE HEADLIGHT LENS AND CAUSING POOR DRIVER VISIBILTY. ALSO, CREATING AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER NOTICED A TSB LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 19, 2000ND

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK COLLAPSING. IT SUCKS IN, AND GAS CANNOT GET OUT. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 16, 2000ND

FUEL TANK COLLAPSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL, LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED ON A ND HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHEN SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. DEALER SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES. COMPANY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS WILL COST $500 TO REPLACE. BEING STRANDED IN ND WINTERS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors
Filed Dec 15, 1999OH

BATTERY HAS HAD TO BE JUMPED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT ACCESSORIES BEING LEFT, YET BATTERY TESTS ADEQUATE AT DEALERSHIP. FUEL INJECTOR NUMBER ONE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 33,600 MILES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Dec 3, 1999VA

WHILE PERFORMING A REQUESTED TIRE ROTATION, MECHANIC NOTED THAT ONE OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN NEARLY CUT THROUGH DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE CALIPER. SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED TO NOTIFY ME OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, HE WAS EXTREMELY CAREFUL TO EXPLAIN TO ME THE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, HE WENT ON TO ASSURE ME THAT HE WAS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY. THE SERVICE ADVISOR'S NAME WAS "ROD".

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights › Switch
Filed Oct 21, 1999MD

THE MANUFACTURING ERROR IN ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE TAIL LIGHT,FOG LIGHTS,TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND REMOTE ACCESS INDICATOR LIGHTS TO BLOW OUT. WIRING HARNESS LOCATED UNDER FLOOR MAT WHICH RUBBED BY SCREW AND SNAPPED. YH

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Oct 17, 1999DC

RIGHT SLIDING DOOR TRACK AND RUBBER BUMPER STOP IS LOOSE RESULTING IN HITTING OF EYES AND FOREHEAD WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, THE DOOR GUIDE TRACT IS INSERTED TO THE UPPER RUBBER SEAL AND WHEN THE DOOR IS BEING OPENED THE GUIDE TRACT FALLS DOWN DUE TO VIBRATION. *SLC

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 1999FL

VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER, IT WON'T START, THE HORN AND AIR BAG SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REWIRED, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS AN ERRATIC OPERATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. RETURNED TO DEALER FOR DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE REAR ELECTRICAL WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AGAIN. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 9, 1999MD

WHEN DRIVING IN LOW SPEED AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, VEHICLE WILL SLIP INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Jul 30, 1999DE

GEAR INDICATOR DOES NOT SHOW THE RIGHT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, STILL NO SOLUTION. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 6, 1999MO

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. *AK

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed May 20, 1999OH

ANTI THEFT DEVICE MALFUNCTIONS ON OCCASIONS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE TRAPPED INSIDE. MJS

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed May 19, 1999TX

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.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed May 10, 1999TX

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. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed May 3, 1999KS

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE AFTER TURNING. UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 27, 1999OH

POWERER SLIDING DOOR FAILS TO CLOSE, POPS OPEN

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Apr 14, 1999TX

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. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 6, 1999MN

WATER/MOISTURE IN HEADLAMPS. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Mar 31, 1999MS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MPH AND WHEN IT IS RAINING, CONSUMER COULD DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE AND LOSE CONTROL DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 22, 1999PA

RACK PINION STEERING BROKE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP, AND NO STEERING ABILITY AT ALL, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 17, 1999SC

CONSUMER TRIED TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. ALSO,SOMETIMES KEY DOESN'T WORK. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 4, 1999LA

FUEL FILTER IS DRIPPING FUEL ONTO REAR SEAL HEATER LINE, CAUSING EXTREME FUMES AND A FIRE HAZARD. *AK *ML

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FAILED.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

FRONT BRAKE PADS WORN OUT. *YC

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 15, 1999TX

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.

Seats1 injured
Filed Dec 4, 1998AZ

WHEN REINSTALLING REMOVABLE REAR LEATHER LEFT 50/50 BEANCH SEAT, HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN LOCKED HOOKS BEFORE REINSERTING INTO FLOOR ANCHORS THAT RESULTED IN LATCH HOOK SPRING LOADED MECHANISM DEEPLY CUTTING RIGHT WRIST. THE REAR BEANCH LEATHER SEAT ANCHOR SYSTEMS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT TO USE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 10, 1998VA

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERNAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchCrash
Filed Nov 5, 1998VA

VEHICLE PARKED. CHILD ENTERED VEHICLE & TURNED KEY BELL CHIMED. DOOR AUTOMATIC LOCKS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTED OR PULLED. TRANSAXLE SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKES NEED TO BE PRESSED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. VEHICLE HIT TREE. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK.ET.

Visibility › WindshieldCrash
Filed Oct 22, 1998MS

WHEN BACKING TO COMPLETE A U-TURN, VEHICLE BUMPED INTO A MAILBOX AFTER ALREADY STOPPING. VEHICLE'S REAR WINDOW SHATTERED ON IMPACT.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jul 8, 1998GA

NOT SURE IF HOOD WAS PROPERLY CLOSED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH THE HOOD RELEASED AND CRASHED INTO WINDSHILD, SHATTERING IT, BUCKLING THE ROOF, AND INTERIOR PARTS BECAME DISLODGED. WITH THE SLOPED NOSE DESIGN, IT IS NOT EASY TO VISIBILY SEE IF THE HOOD IS NOT CLOSED.

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jun 1, 1998TX

LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 8, 1998TX

OVERHEAD COMPUTER CONSOLE FAILURE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 30, 1998TN

SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors
Filed Mar 24, 1998TX

THE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT DATES: FEB. 18, 23 AND MARCH 8. TA TIMES WHILE IN TRAFFIC THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES. THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR CLEANED 3 TIMES, AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 11, 1998IL

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES COMPLETE STOP. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 5, 1997CT

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 30-35 MPH COMING OFF EXIT RAMP STARTED SLOWING DOWN , APPLIED BRAKES ,NO BRAKES, NO STEERING ,LOSS OF POWER /ELECTRICAL POWER. KEPT PRESSING BRAKES; PUT CAR IN PARK, RESTARTED ENGINE, ENGINE STARTED, HIT GAS PEDAL, STARTED TO PROCEED, WENT TO HIT BRAKES, AGAIN LOSS OF POWER. THIS DEFECT KEPT OCCURRING EVERYTIME WHEN HITTING BRAKES, DROVE VEHICLE TO LOCAL GAS STATION. MECHANIC FELT SOMETHING WRONG WITH PROGRAM. CALLED DEALERSHIP, TOWED VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE.THIS DEFECT IS A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Aug 1, 1997WI

WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD BLADES STOP WORKING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED BECAUSE THE NUT IN THE WIPER ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE, THE DEALER FIXED IT BY ADJUSTING THE WIPER BLADE MECHANISM. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 31, 1997NC

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED GENTLY BRAKING IS FINE, BUT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED HARD THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR IT PASSES THE ACCELERATOR, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL PASSES THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TOO, AND THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. *AK *SLC

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 30, 1997PA

THE RACK AND PINON STEERING IS LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED. THE STEERING COULD HAVE BEEN LOST UNEXPECTEDLY IN THE VAN. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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