1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 170 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (19% of complaints); the 1996 and 1997 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space, the steering wheel failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign id number: 02v286000 (steering:rack and pinion) but was advised that his vehicle was not part included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 107,519.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that once the vehicle was stopped and shifted into park, the vehicle would not shift into drive. In addition, the vehicle would only remain in park if the emergency brake was engaged. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where it was inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised that the shift linkage cable was fractured and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000. Updated 03/24/11*lj the door latch and seat belts were inoperative. Updated 05/05/11”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2011
“Airbag light is intermittent. As the vehicle starts, the computer runs through it's checks, every now and then the airbag light illuminates and stays on until the vehicle is shut off and re-started. There is no warning when the light will stay on or turn off during start-up. This has been an on-going issue with this vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving van the temperature gauge showed hot and heater stopped blowing hot air few minutes later it cooled back down and started blowing warm air and it continued to do that over and over put a thermostat in it and it did not help it continued to do the same thing it is full of water still not blowing any warm air out and steaming out the exhaust. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile minivan. While the contact was driving approximately 35 mph unexpectedly the tire flattened. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The contact observed that the spare tire detached from the rusted spare tire cable bracket. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 124,000. The current mileage was 124,430.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile silhouette. During a routine inspection, a technician stated that there was an abnormal oil leak. The oil leakage increases the risk of an engine compartment fire. No repairs were made at the time of inspection. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 86,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile silhouette. The vehicle has toyo 800 ultra tires. While driving between 70-72 mph, both front tires and one rear tire flattened on three different occasions. Prior to the failures, the contact felt a vibration in the steering column. The vehicle felt as though it was driving unevenly. The tires flattened instantly. The fourth tire has cracks in it and is about to fail like the others. The tires had 20,000 miles and 75% proration remaining. The contact has pictures available. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that the vehicle made a loud banging noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the noise was coming from the brakes. Repairs were made to the entire braking system, but the noise continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they determined that the fuel system was the cause of the failure. The dealer stated that it was not a safety concern because the issue was common in some fuel tanks. The failure and current mileages were less than 70,000. Updated 01/07/09. *lj updated 01/08/09.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2008
“My 1998 old silhouette had intake manifold gasket replaced at 69, 000 miles and then 8 months at 73 000 mile my cam broke in half while I was driving at 25 to 30 mph unknown why or how much more damage is done at this time. Investigator is coming out to check what had happen . *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2008
“We purchased a van in good working order in 04/2006. It was used previously by one owner since being purchased new. In november 2007- it began overheating and losing coolant. The diagnosis is now replacement of head gasket and possible intake manifold gasket. This is a very common problem with this particular engine. Gm has refused to help their consumers in any way if there is no warranty. As with all problems these could fail due to normal wear and tear, mileage, and or age. I do not believe this to be the case in numerous complaints including my own! *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.
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'.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
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 SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
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 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 170 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette have open recalls?
10 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.