2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 57 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (11% of complaints); the 2004 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 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 2002 oldsmobile silhouette completely shuts down while driving. It doesn't matter if I'm going 30mph or 65mph. Everything stops. This is a scary dangerous situation while highway driving! The car is otherwise perfect and has 47k miles. I brought it to the dealer last november, and was told they don't know what it is. I contacted gm three weeks ago, and now it's back at the dealer. Help, please”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2016
“My vehicle plus many other multiple year and make expended base gm mini vans are developing gasoline leaks at the top of the fuel tank due to worn plastic seal. The only repair is replacement of the fuel tank, that retails around $800. There is not a replacement tank in the united states and no parts being manufactured... My car is a low mileage vehicle in excellent shape but dangerous to drive due to leaking fuel.. Must I have to dispose of car because no parts available? Can gm start reproducing the needed part.?”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
“The electrical system shuts down and it has security light come on. It shuts the engine and all power off. The van was on the highway when this happened. A real safety hazard.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that the sliding doors on both the driver and passenger side failed to unlock. The doors also failed to unlock via the manual override function. The failure prevented the passengers from exiting the vehicle. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2012
“It just all of a sudden stop working this is a constant problem non stop I bought fuse and that didn't work I got new lights park aid stop working, both heated seats stop working, electrical gone bad in the whole. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Feb 2011
“Gas gauge not working, registers full even when not full. Low fuel light will come on if you idle for a few minutes. At the same time this started the ABS light service traction system came on. This has also occurred with our 2002 buck century at approximately the same # of miles and again both the gas gauge reads inaccurately and the ABS light came on.***”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2010
“The news had the air bag recall and the gm people say we have to wait a min. Of 60 days for the notice. The gm dealer had no knowledge of airbag recall !! Also,the fuel gauge has gone bad on several oldsmobile vans and you do not know how much gas car has that can be dangerous on a highway and a recall was never done on fuel gauges. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2010
“2002 oldsmobile silhouette, right front wheel fell off. *bf the right front fender was damaged and two wheel studs broke off. Ohio traffic crash report# 10-0539-90. *jb letter updated 04/13/10 *bf updated 6/1/10 *cn updated voq 06/07/10*jb”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2008
“Intake manifold gasket leaking coolant externaly.and engine oil leaking into coolant internaly. Intake gasket failure. Intake gasket was replaced. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2007
“Sliding door problems since purchase. Driver electric seat "repaired" several times and still does not work. Dealer repaired rear compressor and broke cover latch. They put a hole in the front bumper at this time. Passenger front window chooses not to work at random and back left side window sometimes does not close. Tape player has ate tapes since purchase. No air conditioning! *jb”Owner report · Equipment · Jan 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 57 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (11% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,786 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette have open recalls?
5 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.