2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (14% 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 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was restarted and operated as normal. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2015
“I was eastbound on a two lane road, and an escalade ran the stop sign on the driver side , as I was continuing driving I t-boned the suv, my whole front end was completely ripped and damaged, and dashboard cracked and lifted, my daughter was on the passenger side, and either bags deployed. Know suffer from sternum and back pain with concussion pain . *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2014
“T-boned crossing a 4way due to view obstruction. Other person hit us at 60 miles per hr. Air bags deployed approx. 10 seconds after initial impact. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Most of the day may 8,2010 been doing some city but mostly highway driving totaling approximately 100 miles. Stopped for an hour after the first 50 then drove another 40 stopping again for about 15 minutes. Drove the last 10 home and left car idling to go into my house for approximately 8 minutes. My wife started walking to car and wasn't there yet when car drove forward into garage door. She jumped in passenger side and shifter was still in park. Scraped some of the paint off of the car and smashed the garage door. Have no idea how or why it would have done this. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2010
“On may 27, 2009 I hit a tree on the back side of the van and then hit another tree head on. The air bags in the front and on the side did not deploy. I was wearing my seatbelt and thankful there were no major injuries. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2009
“Front windshield wipers fail; wipers slowed and eventually stopped; repaired by dealer then next storm, driver side wiper failed mid-wipe; repaired by dealer then next storm, passenger side wiper went beyond windshield yet to be repaired. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2008
“After accelerating to passing gear, the check engine light went on .. And the engine sounded like the spark plug failed. The diagnostic check said there was no compression in the #2 cylinder. The mechanic at the dealership said the rocker arm bolt had stripped out. That this type of problem is not covered by warranty. There are 95,000 miles on this vehicle. However, I consider this a manufacturing default .. The bolt should not have stripped out of the engine block. I question whether the other rocker arm bolts will strip ... Gm denied any responsibility .. Because it didn't show at the 35,000 mile bumper to bumper check. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated due to the short drain line on the evaporator unit of the air conditioning system, the moisture blew back into the vehicle soaking the fire wall and the carpet. The moisture caused mold and unhealthy air in the passenger compartment. The contact suffered headaches and respitory problems due to the mold caused by the moisture in the vehicle. The service dealer had made repairs and the manufacturer was notified. Updated 12/28/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Equipment · Aug 2006
“Dt*: the consumer stated while driving 10-15mph and turning left another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of the vehicle. Upon impact, the frontal and side airbags failed to deploy. There was a police report filed at the scene. Although, all three of the occupants were wearing seat belts minor injuries were sustained. The vehicle was determined totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was alerted and is sending an inspector to inspect the vehicle. *as”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2006
“In 2005 or 2006 I took this olds. In because the chrome on the inside of the wheels was coming off the wheels.....they said nothing could be done about it. Now in 2008 the valve stems on all 4 wheels are leaking because of the corrosion of the wheels. I don't feel this is safe as my wife has to check the tires and add air every couple of weeks. I've had new valve stems put in, but they still leak. I feel gm should replace the wheels as this is an unsafe condition. I'm sure there have been other complaints about this, as all 4 wheels are doing it. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · May 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - 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 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most complained-about area is air bags (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,977 miles or less.
Does the 2003 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.