1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (22% of complaints); the 1993 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
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 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that the frame separated from the insulator on the rear of the vehicle. The contact spoke with the manufacturer in regard to a technical service bulletin for the issue, but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle would not be repaired at their expense. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileages were 100,000. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
“Dt: contact states while driving gradually lost engine power to where it would not go over 50 mph. It continued to lose power. He saw and smelled smoke inside. He turned around and saw smoke coming from the floor right in front of the center seat. He pulled over, and got out in an area where no one would be in danger. By the time he got out of the car and pulled the key out there were flames coming from the passenger side. Within 25 minutes the car burned up. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2005
“Horn going off repeatedly, causing the horn fuse to blow. Taken to repair shop for checkup, and results showed that the horn contacts were built inside with the air bag. Consumer was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced in order to fix the horn.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“I own 1994 oldsmobile silhouette which has had three transmissions replaced. *bf *sc the ball joints were replaced. 8jb”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2004
“After placing a large object inside rear of vehicle spare tire dropped from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, consumer noticed that tire cable rusted, causing it to break. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak the dealer took the position that the vehicle was not properly maintained. The consumer indicated that when reading the owners manual it never mentioned maintenance of the spare tire cable. The dealer refused any assistance. *nm”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2004
“Firestone tire fr410 tread separation.*mr the tread of the tire wrapped itself around the rear axle of the vehicle while traveling on the freeway at 70+ miles. This resulted in a very serious accident. The vehicle flipped and landed on its top when it came to rest. The consumer later learned the tire was returned to firestone because of fear with the firestone debacle and then sold to the consumer for $25.00 a tire. Consumer filled a claim and a year later was informed by firestone that the tire wasn't a recalled tire nor was it on a watch list so there would be no settlement. *ph *ph * cb”Owner report · Tires · May 2002
“Windshield wiper will suddenly not be operational. Neither the wiper "mist switch" or the "washer switch" or the regualr wiper switch will get the wipers to work. The problem will "heal" itself by the next day and can not be duplicated. This identical problem was observed on my 1993 oldsmobile silhouette. The dealer was aboslutely no help. This lack of wiper function is a critical problem. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2002
“Mrs. Parker pulled on the latch to open the door and the latch became disconnected from the rod which connects to the mechanism. It appears that the weld or glue or whatever failed. The door will not open from the inside and I am hesitant to drive the vehicle since I am 6'31/2" tall and weigh 235 lbs.. Exiting quickly out the right door is not an option for me in case of accident or fire. Our van has never been in any sort of accident. Is this considered a normal failure due to the vehicle age? Thank you.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2001
“Consumer states that horn blows by itself, dealer states the cause is shrinking plastic in cold weather, because this is hooked up to the airbag, the cost to fix the problem is $600. *slc”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2000
“After shopping opened up the back tailgate to get groceries out and heard a loud noise. Spare tire broke. Cable rusted, causing tire to fall off. Consumer stated that if tire would have fallen off on the highway it could have caused an accident. Spare tire has never been used or dismounted. *ak *ml”Owner report · Equipment · Jun 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS AND REINSTALL THEM PROPERLY.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE RETRACTOR IF THE PAWL SPRING IS MISSING.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is visibility (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette have open recalls?
4 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.