1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 149 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks 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 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile silhouette. While the vehicle was parked the contact attempted to shift into drive gear and it failed to move from park to drive. The contact was able to place shift cable back in place and shift into drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the automatic trans axle range selector cable assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 154,430.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2011
“Left side brake / tail light melts. Bulb base melts then causes an open short. Bulb has been replaced several times. Last 3 to 4 months before failure (melted base) and bulb replacement. It also causes the traction control system (tcs) to show an intermittent fault or be inoperative. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2010
“Just pulling out of the driveway when smoke started coming out of interior vents. Turned off van got out and flames started coming from under the hood. Total loss of vehicle and contents. No injuries sustained. Miles high but not actual,replaced motor with 80,000 mile motor when we bought the vehicle. Newer engine came from another olds silhouette that had a dash fire. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile silhouette. The right passenger sliding door would automatically open partially, and then close. If a passenger attempts to enter the vehicle, he or she may be seriously injured. The vehicle was repaired according to recall numbers 01v264000 & 04v597000 ( latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The manufacturer would not assume responsibility for the failures. The dealer stated that to identify the cause of the failure she would have to pay a diagnostics fee of $125.00. The current mileage was 112,326. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2009
“Left brake keeps going out. Upon replacing notice that the contacts are getting covered up by melting plastic. I have replaced the bulb numerous time and even replaced the circuit board. Still the bulbs keep melting. This has started in mid june of 2008. I am at the point now of driving without a left rear brake light. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Jun 2008
“Tl* - the contact stated that she brought he 1999 oldsmobile silhouette to dealer in costa mesa, ca for an oil change. The dealer stated that the plug booths melted, and that the spark plugs, and plug wires melted as well, and the head gasket failing. The contact stated that this is a safety hazard since she never got any prior warning about the failures on her vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2007
“Both front headlight covers have clouded and become hazy due to sun exposure over time. I am concerned that this problem is causing limited visibility especially at night. In my opinion this problem will cause the headlights to be dimmer than what is considered a safe level of brightness. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2007
“On my 1999 oldsmobile silloette the headlights (left & right) leak very bad. After driving in the rain I may have a inch of water in the bottom of my headlights. Because of this the heat & moisture have discollered the plastic lenses on the headlights now making it hard to se at night, and the bulb have to be replaced about every month or so. No accidents have been caused by this problem yet!*jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2007
“Vehicle started overheating on short trips to the store(1-2 miles). Thought the problem was the thermostat however when taken to mechanic found out that it was the intake manifold that has leaking and had to be replaced. I called oldsmobile ref to the problem to inquire about tsb # 030601010 or 030601010b and was told that there had never been a bulletin. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2006
“Dt: 1999 oldsmobile silhouette. On august 11, 2005 the consumer was smelling gas; he looked under the vehicle and saw that the fuel lines were rusted. The mechanic at the dealership stated the fuel lines crumbled in his hands. All of the metal fuel lines for the vehicle had to be replaced. The smell was the only indicator. He checked under the hood first then crawled under the car and saw it was leaking gas. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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. 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CRADLE-TO-SUSPENSION INSULATORS AND THE ATTACHING BOLTS.
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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 149 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,495 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.