1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I own two very similar gm made vans, a 1996 oldsmobile silhouette, and a 1994 chevrolet lumina apv van. Both had sudden brake failure due to the rear brake line bursting, in exactly the same place! Both had current inspections. This is very dangerous. I had to replace the rear brake lines on both vans. The fact that they failed at exactly the same point in the rear brake line makes me think this is a design flaw. When the line failed and was repaired, I also replaced the same line on the other side and found it weak and ready to burst. I still see many of these gm vans on the road and feel this is a safety hazard. I am filing this complaint twice, one for each car. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2009
“1) vehicle started stalling 2) coolant leaked into oil 3) had to have repaired at my own cost $780.00 and not sure that this will take care of it. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2006
“While driving 45 mph vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop, and technician replaced the engine. But problem recurred. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Left front driver's side tire tread separated from tire while driving about 60 mph on the highway. The tire never deflated while separating . The tracks from the material of tire caused damage to the undercarriage of vehicle. Futura, size p205/70r15, dot# hym0s8m420. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2003
“The windshield wipers failed intermittently which caused poor visibility. A recall was issued on similar makes and models, however this vehicle was not included due to vehicle identification number. Dealer notified. *ak *nlm *scc *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2003
“NHTSA recall 02-v-286-000: 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. Consumer stated this recall problem also was in his vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2003
“Consumer states that while driving at any speed vehicle would lose acceleration without warning. Consumer would have to wait 2 minutes before restarting vehicle. Vehicle has been to dealer on six occasion s,and problem is reoccurring.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003
“Coolant leak destroyed the engine - there was no warning - sudden stop on a busy highway was potentially dangerous. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2003
“Intake gasket failed allowing oil and coolant to intermix and destroy the engine. There was no warning. Engine had only 84000 miles on it and was well maintained.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2003
“Intake gasket leaked internaly and allowed oil and coolant to intermix and destroyed the engine. There was no warning. I\\\\\\'m still getting estimates for the engine repair/replacement but it looks to be $4000+.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2003
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 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 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion. 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.