US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Oldsmobile Silhouette recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Oldsmobile Silhouette,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Oldsmobile Silhouette. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Oldsmobile Silhouette,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1990–2004 with 51 recall campaigns and 1277 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1998 (7), 2001 (6), and 1997 (6).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1998 (225), 1999 (186), and 1997 (155).
Top recall themes: Seats and restraints, Airbags, and Powertrain.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Structure:body:door, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Exterior lighting:headlights.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Seats and restraints
12 campaigns · Years: 1990, 1992–1994, 1997–2004
These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Oldsmobile Silhouette in NHTSA complaint data are
Structure:body:door, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Exterior lighting:headlights.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2004
1
12
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Tires:tread/belt, Seats:mid/rear assembly.
2003
2
40
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Wheels.
2002
2
102
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Power train:automatic transmission.
2001
6
113
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Exterior lighting:headlights.
2000
5
139
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Electrical system.
1999
4
186
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Structure:body:door.
1998
7
225
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:headlights, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Engine and engine cooling.
1997
6
155
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:headlights, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Structure:body:door.
1996
1
24
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Structure:body:door.
1995
2
60
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Air bags, Visibility:power window devices and controls.
1994
4
43
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Structure:body:door.
1993
3
24
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines, Equipment:mechanical:carrier/rack.
1992
2
29
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission.
1991
2
57
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1990
4
68
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Seat belts:front:anchorage, Structure:body:door.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Latches/locks/linkages
, Seat belts
and Power train
Show recall evidence by year
2004
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2003
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2002
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2001
Seat belts:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor veh
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Seats: Recliner:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: certain mini vans built with second row 50/50 split bench seats or captain's chairs, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 Mm.
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterwar
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2000
Seat belts:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor veh
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: mini vans with extended wheelbase. Some of these vehicles have inoperative fuel tank rollover valves and fuel leakage would exceed the permissible amount in a rollover test. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "Fuel system integrity."
1999
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Steering: Shaft sector:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger mini vans. The left and/or right front lower insulator to cradle center metal sleeve is collapsed, which can result in loss of clamp load in the joint. If the clamp load is reduced or lost, the bolt can be lost or broken and the joint can separate.
1998
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 be
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Linkages:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have (1) a broken shift cable fitting or (2) loose shift linkage. Consequently, moving the shift lever to a 'park' position may not shift the transmission to 'park'.
Seats: Recliner:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1997
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 be
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Visibility: Linkages:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Seats: Recliner:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1996
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 be
1995
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Improperly manufactured brake pedal arm causes the brake pedal arm to fracture during braking.
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1994
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The safety belt retractors for the rear center position are missing a pawl spring and in case of an accident, will allow the safety belt webbing to extend beyond the minimum requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection."
Seat belts: Retractor:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The third row safety belt retractors may be installed incorrectly and may lock-up when the vehicle is on slopes of less than 15 degrees, which does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies."
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1993
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." The safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." The 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1992
Seat belts: Rear/other:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle fails to conform to fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." The safety belt of the left third row seat on the six passenger van and the center second row seat of the seven passenger van may lock up and cannot be withdrawn from the retractor.
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1991
Structure: Body:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The glove compartment door will not remain closed during certain load forces associated with a vehicle crash. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss 201.
Structure:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolt
1990
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The glove compartment door will not remain closed during certain load forces associated with a vehicle crash. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss 201.
Structure:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolt
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treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
