1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern visibility.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The vehicle was parked when the interior caught on fire. The consumer had previously experienced a problem with the electrical system. *nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2003
“Windshield wipers would not start operating. The system appeared "frozen" yet would start operating again in a few hours. The dealer replaced the windshield wiper motor assembly and charged me for the repair work. The same problem appeared in my 1994 oldsmobile truck silhouette. There is clearly a defect in the design of the motor assembly in these vehicles that allows the motors to hang.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · May 2001
“Tread separation on left front tire. At high speed the tire felt like a balance weight had been lost and thumped. At lower speeds (below 30mph) the steering wheel would "rock" like the front end or steering mechanism was loose and would pull the vehicle to the right. Continued high speed driving could have caused loss of vehicle control.( dot number: acmd ab6 2 tire size: p205/70r15 )”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2000
Show 5 more owner reports
“When applying brakes vehicle appeared to be sliding. Brakes would grab/lock up intermittently. Vehicle taken to an independent repair shop on two occasions, and problem was reoccurring. Dealer notified, and informed consume rthat vehicle was not under a recall. Feel free to provide further details.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2000
“Driving off intersection; applied brakes & pedal went to floor; turned vehicel around & headed home. Checked & noticed brake fluid on both wheels. Also brake lines/hoses completely shot. Has not taken to dealer. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 1997
“Our mini-van rear-ended a cadillac in line at a stop light. The traffic had stopped due to a backup, but the light was green, and it was late when my wife hit the brakes. Immediately after the accident, I took the vehicle to the nearest gm dealer, meier olds, to have the brake system checked. My wife had mentioned that she didn't think that the brakes had functioned during the incident. She commented on having pushed the pedal as hard as possible, but the car didn't stop. Gm said that there was nothing wrong, so we had the car towed to a body shop and repaired. There have been no incidents since, but the recent recall made me suspicious, and want to file this report.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 1995
“While driving at 35-40 mph, vehicle began to smoke than suddenly caught on fire upon stopping due to trans cooler line broke spraying fluid on exhaust manifold.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 1995
“Unsatisfactory results of recall campaign resulted in the subsequent failure of the transmission and caused transmission cooler line to rupture.”Owner report · Power Train
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 IN) CHILDSEAT INSTALLED NEXT TO THE POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR. THE 1993 INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STANDARD SEATS IN THAT SAME POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM PANEL WITH A REDESIGNED TRIM PANEL. ALSO, A CAUTION LABEL WILL BE APPLIED TO THE CHILD SEAT ADVISING THE OWNER NOT TO INSTALL THE SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A VEHICLE WITH A POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
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.
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT RETRACTOR EXHIBITS A LOCKUP CONDITION. BASED ON THIS INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE BELT LOCKS UP. REPLACEMENT OF THE SUSPECT SAFETY BELT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silhouette by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is visibility.
Does the 1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:webbing. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.